Part 6 - Tequila, Temptation, and Truth – Life in Paradise

My husband and I have been vacationing in Mexico for years, and I can readily admit—part of the charm is the famous margarita. I mean, who doesn’t love an icy-cold, tequila-drenched, limey drink in a fancy glass rimmed with salt? Yum. Those little beauties have definitely led me down the slippery slope on more than one occasion.

One memorable time involved a night out—with my son in tow—that turned from fun to fiasco real quick. Let’s just say it ended with me sicker than I ever care to be again and receiving fluids at a local hospital. My poor son saw things no mother ever dreams her son will witness. I’ll just leave that right there.

Fast-forward a few years later to our current life, and well… let’s just say that little "incident" didn’t exactly stop me from cozying back up to Señor Jose Cuervo.

Living in a tourist paradise with palm trees swaying and ocean breezes five minutes from our door, it’s easy to slip into a rhythm of 2-for-1 cocktails at the beach club while watching sunsets so exquisite, you forget the world even exists beyond them. And slowly—but surely—it becomes a way of life.

Turns out, the brand of tequila they use in those beachside specials is often the homemade kind—liquid trouble that’s been rumored to wreck even the most seasoned sippers. So… whew. It’s not just me!

But after a few years, the toll gets real. You cut back for a week or two, then another social invitation rolls in—and the lure of laughter, music, and that delicious clink of ice in a glass pulls you back in. I mean, I’d already faced what some would consider my lowest point. Why should I have to miss out?

I’ve tried Dry Januarys, but my birthday’s in January. So, yeah… that plan’s about as solid as a paper umbrella in a tropical storm.

Here’s the twist, though—these days, I’m not masking anything. I’m not hiding. I’m not numbing. I’ve done so much of the work. I've faced the shadows. I’ve done a ton of healing. I’ve shared my story with the world.

But something started to stir again. A whisper. A nudge. A deeper question: What would it feel like to give my body and mind a longer break from booze?

That’s the space I’ve stepped into now. Not with judgment, not with shame—but with curiosity, clarity, and a surprising sense of peace.

Let’s just say... something shifted. And I’ll tell you all about that in the next part.

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Author’s Note:
Sometimes paradise comes with its own pitfalls. This chapter was about recognizing that just because life looks beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean we’re not still wrestling on the inside.

If you’ve ever said, “I’ve done the work, why is this still here?”—this one was for you.

In Reason to Sing, I share what finally brought lasting peace—not perfection, but deep, soul-settling peace.

Available now on Amazon and Audible (Click here)