I don’t take the time to read magazines very often, but when I do I read Men’s Journal. Unlike women’s magazines which seem too focused on the latest fashion, make-up and hairstyle trends–none of which I find interesting–most of the articles in MJ are intelligent and thought-provoking. One feature I particularly like is “The Last Word,” an interview with famous personalities whose thoughts and opinions I actually find worth reading. Ron Howard was interviewed for the October 2013 issue.

A recurring “Last Word” question has to do with “regret,” something I feel we all have had at one time or another…if we’re truthful with ourselves. I liked Howard’s reply: “It’s important to…acknowledge some of our imperfections. I write them down. There’s something about acknowledging mistakes and being able to put them down on paper; they become facts of your life that you must live with. And then hopefully you can navigate the road a little bit better.”

Writing about things we’ve done or said that we regret takes courage, and so does reading about them later. I’ve kept a journal most of my life, and I’m also an alcoholic, so I’ve written volumes of regrettable entries while under the influence. While many are extremely painful and embarrassing to read, in sobriety I find that I can muster up the courage it takes to trudge through each one in an attempt to not only face my demons, but to try to forgive myself. The latter is mighty hard to do.

By writing this I have broken my anonymity, a tenet that Alcoholics Anonymous was founded upon. But it is liberating to acknowledge my addiction, especially when there are so many others out there suffering with addictions of their own: drugs, gambling, tobacco, food, sex, video games, the Internet, working, shopping, exercising, narcissism, the need to control others….the list goes on and on.

One thing that keeps me from wallowing in regret is the fact that I am human, and I’m going to make mistakes. But what helps lift me out of self-pity is the belief that nothing in life is coincidental. There is a plan for everyone’s life, and in spite of all the strides made along the way, the stumbles have happened for a reason.

Of course, the reason, is sometimes made known after the fact, and when it is made known, there is One to thank. There is a time to every season under heaven. Needless to say, I have learned many lessons, mostly the hard way, and probably have many more to learn before I breathe my last breath.

Next week I will celebrate another year of sobriety, God willing, and while staying sober has become easier as time goes by, I have to stay vigilant and not become complacent. I must remember that as far as alcoholics are concerned, ‘one drink is too much and a hundred isn’t enough.’ The 12-Step program’s cornerstone is admitting that a problem exists, and then dealing with it one day at a time. Howard is right; acknowledging our mistakes and trying to right our wrongs does make navigating the road of life a whole lot easier.