A reader commends Matt for his recent work with a substance abuse recovery program in Effingham, Illinois, and asks Matt (who used to be an alcoholic) whether he believes substance abuse is a form of escapism.

Matt responds:

I believe that many people are looking for something that really does not exist.  We are all trying to be something else instead of trying to be who and what we are.  It took almost all of my life to come to that conclusion:  that within this bag of bones is a realization of power within the universe—and it’s my job to find it.  The reality is, that power does not exist except between my ears, so I must really become comfortable and accept it for what it is.  As I always say, “It is what it is.”

Acceptance is a big part of the process of coming to terms with the world.  That’s well and good, but we first have to come to terms with ourselves.  Whatever we are—in an unaltered state, without drugs or alcohol or other stimulants that change the whole equation of ourselves—that’s who we are, like it or lump it.

I’ve come to my acceptance of myself:  As long as I can accept myself—my limits and my strengths—and I’m not hurting anybody and not living in some sort of alcohol-induced stupor which distorts but doesn’t enhance, alters but doesn’t change myself—coming to the reality that we are important, powerful figures within this universe—then I come to a space that is a very peculiar and challenging space for the human being.  It’s a space where we must accept everything we do as our own product, not as something imposed upon us.  It does not give us the excuse to blame all of our idiosyncrasies and failures on other people.  We must lay them at our own feet and say, “These are the children of my own making.”

On the other hand, if we start doing things that are enhancing our life and the lives of those around us, then we can take some credit that we made the world a little bit brighter.

Thanks for your comments,
Matt