Today is a special day for me.
I am performing at the Narcotics Anonymous World Convention in Orlando, Florida.
I have had the honor of this performance once before with the Royal Southern Brotherhood
in Philadelphia in 2013. It was a wonderful experience and one I will not soon forget.
Today is icing on the cake as I get an opportunity to be of service to a program that saved my life.
I am not sharing this with you in hopes of many "pat on the backs" but more to share my experience, strength and hope with anyone who is unsure if dreams come true. They do.
I was once lost and now I am found.
I remember a time in early recovery when I accepted the thought that I may not be able to play music again. I may need to give up my love of performing to save myself. If I could not be trusted in bars or clubs to stay sober, then maybe I will need to stay away and just play my guitar at home.
It was do or die at that point and I was more than willing to give up what I loved doing to save my life.
When I told this to my early sponsor I was told that if and when I was spiritually fit I could do anything and go anywhere. I did not quite know exactly what that meant, but when the time was right, I was able
to yet again play my instrument and perform and I had no thought of drinking or using drugs.
I was there for a different reason. I had changed. My thinking had changed and I was no longer the same person. That was a long time ago and I have had the good fortune to continue to play my guitar and sing all around the world. It is almost as if I have lived two lives.
It is with honor and respect and quite a bit of excitement that I will get to play yet again today for so many of my fellow addicts and alcoholics. It is a very humbling experience and one I do not take lightly. I am thankful. I am grateful.
I have learned to be honest and open and to share.
I have also learned that God will always open the door but I have to willing to walk through it and do the work that is necessary for change.
This is a physical world, not a world of magic, yet magical is the experience.
Thanks for letting me share, I will do my best to serve.
Peace, Love...Zito
