366 F***king Days...

Well, it’s certainly been a while! How have you been? That long, huh? So what have I been doing? Glad you asked! I have been working a few new jobs. Been utilizing my free time for reading and catching up with my backlog of books. Been reading up on Stoicism, writing, and all of Robert Green’s library of books. It’s been an incredible literary journey. Also, I got inspired to write my own book during this time. My own “Meditations,” if you will. So, what’s it about? Well, let’s just say that it fits perfectly within my personal journey over the last ten years.

What the f*** is it?

It’s a book for the sober rebel. The crazy one! The one who just can’t get this “sober journey” right. The mistake maker and heartbreaker. After eight solid years of sobriety and recording a podcast on the same topic for the last six years, I decided to take some of the knowledge acquired from all the “experiences” and capture them in one volume. What prompted this decision (though it was in my mind for some time) was the loss of my good friend and mentor, John Jones. As I write in the book Dedication;

“This collection of meditations is especially dedicated to Carl’s sponsor, John J. (J.J.), for all his love and guidance over the last eight years. Unfortunately, John passed away on December 20, 2022. John’s actions and compassion have had a tremendous impact on so many people, and every page of this book contains a part of him. We hope he impacts your life, too.”

John certainly played a pivotal role in my growth over the last eight years, and his loss has hit me hard. I wrestle with grief in the book as I write it down rawly. It’s surprising how writing crystalizes my inner thoughts and pushes me closer to better understanding myself. Each page was cathartic, and it seemed like it flowed every time I sat down and wrote. 

It’s more personal than I thought it would be. Way more personal! Initially, I decided to put out a very generic self-help type of reading. I thought I would be able to distill John’s lessons into bite-sized pages. Still, it quickly became a more personalized account of my own madness, struggle, and growth into a life of recovery. I feel that I was still able to capture John’s lessons but through my own filtered brain/mind. After a few pages, I fell into my own rhythm, which continued.

It took almost six months from start to finish. It sounds like a lot of time, but most of the time was trying to avoid repeating the topics. I ended up writing on the same topics, but I approached them differently every time. It’s incredible how much you can cover the topics of control, fear, service, acceptance, and the like. So, I continued to write with a couple long periods of nothing in between. I had hoped for something sooner, but I started a new job and did not have as much time as I would have liked. So I let it go and released the book when it needed to be released. Exactly as it should be, on its own time. 

When I finished writing 366 Meditations, I had:

• The title: 366 F***ing Days Sober

• Words: 70,116

• Pages: 373

• ISBN-13 ‏: ‎ 979-8393217945

• Weight: ‎ 1.06 pounds

• Dimensions: ‎ 5 x 0.84 x 8 inches

• Cost (U.S.): $12.22 Paperback / $5.69 Kindle

I even got an editor 

“Special thanks to Anthony Earl (Ant) for proofing and editing. “Ant” knows that you should “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” And he readily offered the goodness of his expertise. Thank you!”

It’s amazing what happens if you ask. 

The end is only the beginning

Currently, I am holding a copy of a book and have shared the news on various social media platforms. I am uncertain about the book’s reception or purpose, but I genuinely wish that the intended recipient finds it. Though we often say, “I can’t worry about the results, just the action,” I will allow the book to pave its own path and hopefully find its place in the ether.

Radio ad for the book written by ChatGPT and created using AI voice, and edited in Adobe Audition:

Announcer: Are you a rebel seeking transformation in your recovery journey? Then "366 F***ing Days Sober" is the book for you! With 366 daily meditations, this book by the "Soberpod" recovery podcast host and professional rebel, Carl will help guide you towards a new way of thinking and living.

[Sound of pages turning]

Announcer: Each daily meditation offers a fresh perspective, practical advice, and a healthy dose of Carl's irreverent humor to help you stay sober and embrace the challenges of life without drinking, drugging, or shitting your pants. Whether you're just starting your recovery journey or looking for a daily dose of encouragement and laughs, "366 F***ing Days Sober" is the book for you.

[Sound of pages turning]

Announcer: So, if you're ready to transform your life and become the rebel you were meant to be, get your copy of "366 F***ing Days Sober" today!

Available today on Amazon.com.

Artificial Intelligence Voice created on Play.ht.