Journey of Sobriety: Reflections and Transformations

Father Joe Reilly helped him release his burdens and find a path to sobriety.

### Journey of Sobriety: From Chaos to Clarity
* 🍷 Reflecting on a long journey of sobriety, the narrator recalls the **chaos and insanity** of their past, filled with **alcoholism and turmoil** for over **35 years**.
* 😩 Initially resentful of AA meetings and the associated "**God stuff**," they struggled with the concept of "**surrendering and letting go**."
* 👴 A significant turning point came when they met **Father Joe Reilly**, a Jesuit priest, who confronted them at a meeting, recognizing their **inner turmoil and distrust**.
* 🙏 In a moment of desperation, the narrator sought a quick and powerful prayer from Father Reilly, who introduced them to the **"prayer of release,"** which alleviated their burdens.
* 🔍 Before Father Reilly's passing, he advised that **understanding and clarity would come in due time**, acknowledging the narrator's **stubbornness**.
* ✈ Recently, during a journey, the narrator encountered a young girl named Lara, who left a note expressing **spontaneity and a desire to connect**, reminding them of the **fleeting nature of life**.
* 💔 The narrator reflects on their estranged daughter, contemplating the choices made and the **importance of moving forward**, regardless of the past.
* 🌌 In closing, they acknowledge the **mysteries of life and the journey of healing**, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to **share their story**.

Yeah, I got sober a long time ago in Los Angeles. I know, 35, 36 years gone. And I was crazy. I was insane. I was sickened to death, drunk and insane. And I was sentenced to AA meetings. Now I hated them. I hate the damn things. I hated all this...

God stuff. Made me wanna puke. Yeah, move on. Let go of that garland. Surrendered. We know all this. I was a winner then, winner all my life. And but I was fighting all the time. And, um, cut a long story short, I met there was this old man. He was a

priest, a Jesuit priest. His name was Joe Reilly, Father Joe Reilly. And I never forget him as long as I live. And when I tell you I was about to leave the meeting, I was, I had to get the hell out. And he stood in my way. So ever how do

you think you're going? As you get out of my way, so you're not coming anywhere. He looked up into my face, and he had these piercing blue eyes and a cigarette in his mouth. He says, you know, he, he said, you look like to me, he looked like you

must have disgusted, and not to be trusted. And he was right. I wasn't to be trusted by anyone. I'd never trust myself, even. I one day asked him, I said, okay, Father, you know all the, I call him Father, I got a kick out of that. I see, you know all the

answers. You please, mark. I was the shortest, most powerful prayer in the world, cuz I just, I needed quick answers. So I wanted to be it back on the fast track. It was the fastest, most powerful prayer in the world. He's the fastest, most powerful prayer in the world.

looked at me said fastest most powerful prayer in the world my friend his father Joe Reilly Jesuit priest it can you believe he says the prayer of release in surround and I felt the whole weight of the world going off my shoulders and just before father

Riley died I asked my said how do I get it how do I know he said you will see when you're ready to see you'll hear when you're ready to hear he said you're a particularly tough nut and the weird thing is that happened two days ago I

was traveling on my way here by journey hit with a young girl from Brazil she was a kid beautiful Italy name is Lara and there was a snowstorm at Denver flights with an agent so we arranged to have dinner and when I showed up she was she wasn't

there but she left me this note and she said ran into someone cute never done this kind of thing before but you only live once how many chances do we get out of the mouths of babies and sucklings thou hast perfected praise guy was right where I wrote that

stuff and it's take me all these years I'll tell you if I if my daughter is alive she knows where I am where to find me and their science means that she's probably made the choice not to be in touch but if she's dead

then she's dead and she's gone forever and I have to move on and forget it and let go weird stuff Wow I tell you some mystery all of it hey now shout now thanks for listening

Anthony Hopkins - fastest most powerful prayer in the world

Niels Dolieslager

Spent 35-36 years sober after a period of heavy drinking and insanity.

Initially disliked AA meetings and the religious aspects.

Despite being a 'winner' in life, he was constantly fighting.

Father Joe Reilly, a Jesuit priest, prevented him from leaving an AA meeting.

Father Reilly observed that the speaker was untrustworthy.

The speaker sought quick answers and considered Father Reilly to have them.

Father Reilly introduced the 'prayer of release,' which relieved the speaker's burden.

Before his death, Father Reilly advised that understanding would come when the speaker was ready.

Recent encounter and reflection on family

Met a young woman, Lara, from Brazil, during a snowstorm in Denver.

Lara left a note indicating a chance encounter and the idea of living life to the fullest.

The speaker reflects on his daughter's potential choices regarding contact.

He accepts the possibility of his daughter's death and the need to move on.