Page 161 - April Magazine FLIP OFFICIAL

ourselves to show the real person we constantly stifle How can our individual passions, sufferings and from it gained a whole new life I never dreamed
naked and unabashed before the world. That is the gift connect us all? possible. I attended meetings regularly until the pan-
music gives us. When we find others that listen to the Absolutely! By sharing our passions and our pain demic began, and now I attend them when and where I
same things, we feel we met a friend for life, someone openly, it helps maintain a genuine human connection. can. I am always in touch with someone in my network
that understands us, and feels the way we do. It gives We realize our self-worth, and a sense of belonging though, whether my sponsor or another alcoholic/
us the courage to be who we really are. You can garner in kindred spirits through these shared experiences. addict, I stay connected. I celebrated my 7th year of
much about a person based on what they have in their These connections abound with gratitude, humility, sobriety on April 17th. I have developed many tools on
music catalog. and understanding; giving us a landscape to where our this spiritual journey to maintain physical, spiritual,
wanton desires for love and acceptance take form. and mental fitness. It's never perfect but its progress!
Music is invulnerable and will never be destroyed or
fully created. We even play to imitate the sounds of It also produces a solid foundation for people to step ZGP: You mention community engagement
nature. Music is constant, unwavering, and infinite! It out of themselves and into another's perspective and and activism, what type of altruistic work do
binds us, like the Force in Star Wars. understand that they are a part of this cosmic wheel of you do?
life. We all play a part in this swirling drama of twist- I was heavily involved in service work with other ad-
ZGP: If there wasn’t any music to go by, you ed beauty and at times unbearably tragic fate. Sharing dicts and alcoholics. I help plan and set up of various
had to create it – how would you start? How brings us together in our struggles and triumphs, to sober/social functions like dinners and dances and
important is musical influence? Today and show we are not alone. bring meetings to jails and institutions. If my experi-
going forward? ence and outreach can help at least one person find a
When I write music, I follow my own drive, perspec- ZGP: How did you make it to a 12-step pro- better life, then it’s worth every ounce of suffering I
tive, and knowledge of music in general. I start with a gram and what does recovery look like for endured.
concept or a feeling. Then I think, “How can I go about you now? Do you attend meetings? Complete
translating these thoughts and feelings into music, and abstinence? Is your recovery a spiritual I have also participated in fundraising, help at soup
channel it so it can be interpreted by the listener as journey or part of a religious organization? I kitchens, as well as donate to various charities. I start-
to what was going through my mind?” Other times, I split those up because some folks, like my- ed taking part in conservation efforts for Barn Owls
have used familiar stories from authors and others to self are very spiritual and others are quite in MD. Their numbers have dwindled unfortunately
guide me towards something that will pull the listener involved in organized religion, both work for due to pesticide, so I hope to be a part of turning that
into another realm. Musical influence is greatly im- those they work for. around. I have also participated in social and political Follow Josh Johnson on Instagram
portant to us as a species as it brings us closer to one activism by engaging in all levels of government on
another than the internet could ever dream of. Music I always fancied myself a hardass, but drugs and al- pieces of legislature that would endanger the environ-
spans literally the entire globe; even Metallica did a cohol had stripped me to my core. I made it into the ment or our inherent rights to life and liberty. I have
concert in Antarctica. We must continue to make mu- rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous by the grace of my protested, written letters, headed petitions, sat before
sic that speaks to each other and brings us together. In Higher Power. I had many experiences with recovery, senators and congressman, participated in the civic
this may lie the true key to salvation from humanity's both court ordered and voluntarily. Multiple relapses process as an Election Judge, and was a delegate at
greatest enemy, itself. and multiple jail sentences increased with time and se- the 2016 Democratic National Convention for Bernie
verity. I was so sick, cross addicted to various substanc- Sanders.
ZGP: What hobbies do you have outside of es, and in a completely hopeless state of mind, body,
music? and spirit. I became increasingly desperate for a solu- I have found great joy and a strong sense of accom-
I really am all over the map and a bit eccentric in my tion. My first sponsor called it “the gift of desperation,” plishment that I may leave this world in a better con-
hobbies. I am a strong advocate for the environment a catalyst for real change when you're at the bottom. dition than when I was brought into it. Whenever I
and the outdoors. I enjoy fishing, hiking/backpacking achieve goals, overcome great obstacles or progress to
through different locales, travelling, target shooting, I literally got down on my knees after two days of another tier in life, I simply remember I did it One Day
photographing nature, kayaking, collecting artifacts or detoxing at my house to say the sincerest prayer I had at A Time.
stones, and camping. I build models and collector edi- said in years. I wept as I prayed to be released from
tion Lego sets. I also read a lot of science and politics the slavery of substance abuse, unsure that my prayers
and temper that with comics and sword and sorcery would be answered. This prayer was answered in the
novels. I play videogames. I also enjoy tinkering with form of Alcoholic Anonymous.
cars and electronics.
After that I went to 102 meetings in 90 days, developed
ZGP: Can music make us better humans? a network, found a sponsor, gained service positions,

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