Why the call to STIR matters: Miguel’s story

For most of my life I lacked direction, an unguided ship drifting aimlessly, being influenced solely by external factors. In my pursuit of happiness, my actions and attitude were adaptable and self-centered. I would do or say whatever was necessary to attain temporary happiness and peace, disregarding moral principles and values.

My life was marked by constant longing, a sense of inadequacy, and an insatiable desire for stability. The world and people were objects to be used. This behaviour started at home. I would manipulate my mother into giving me money to support my hedonistic lifestyle. The stories I would make up were mind-boggling and I would create more lies to cover up existing ones.

 Even when my intentions seemed good, my motivation was self-serving. Alcohol and drugs became the only way to silence the noise in my head, because I wasn’t willing to relinquish what little control I thought I had. This caused me to push everyone that loved me out of my life and my mental health spiralled downwards. I hit rock bottom and was sick and tired of being sick and tired. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, I decided that I needed to make a change. Life is too short and too precious to waste.

I am grateful that a higher power does not allow suffering to become complacent. I reached out to local treatment centers in the GTA. There I learned that addiction is more than an individual’s dependence on substances, it’s a mental and spiritual malady. If I want to live a life of sobriety, I cannot simply stop using substances and believe that everything will be alright. There has to be a change in the way I think and operate on a day-to-day basis.

I learned that connections with a higher power, and a community of like-minded individuals is the key to success. I discovered a new way of living, prioritizing the will of a higher power and the well-being of others.

The STIR spiritual retreat was a pivotal moment in the redirection of my life. It reinforced my deep desire to make meaningful changes and offered a profound sense of clarity about the next steps I needed to take. Through reflection, prayer, and fellowship, I was able to reconnect with my purpose and realign my priorities. Sharing my story as a witness was both humbling and empowering. It reminded me of the strength that comes from vulnerability and the transformative impact of leading by example. Knowing that my journey could inspire others to embrace their own path of growth was a powerful reminder of the collective strength found in shared faith and experience.

This has led to a deeper relationship with the divine, which embodies love. This love flows from my being, manifesting in service to others. My approach has changed from, “what can you do for me?” to “how may I assist you?” and I experience life in abundance. My goal is to diminish my ego, accessing a state of serenity one day at a time. I now stand for love; I have a God and it is not me.