My friend told me the other day that I live an examined life. I’ve heard the phrase before, or some form of it but I do live the life examined. It’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve heard that phrase before too. What does it mean to me? It started 30 years ago when I decided I had enough of the boozin’ life and decided to give AA a try. But that was just the start. There is a potential in AA to really examine your life and turn it around. But I got hung up on the aspect of alcohol being the driving force behind all your exhortation. Before the booze I was a sick person. Sick with depression. Sick with the thought that life can’t be this bad. At that tender age though, you have no options. You’re stuck with the family you got. Or the family you picked if you believe in the cosmic “everything happens for a reason.” You pick your parents because you have lessons you need to learn in this lifetime. I’m not sure I’m fully on board with that line but I can