Alternate Realities

Someone mentioned to me the other day that there are alternate realities and I believe them. Every decision (or lack thereof) creates an alternate universe in which we follow along the decision that we did not make in this reality. If you had to choose between buying a car when you were sixteen or putting off the decision, somewhere in the universe there is a "You" that went ahead and bought the car with all of the ensuing consequences. Whatever the consequences were, good or bad, that version of you is dealing with them at this moment. To that end, there is a Varden somewhere out in the universe blowing his brains out with drugs and holed up in his room because he believed he was an abomination. 

I'm not that Varden. 

This Varden here who has a book published and an author website is not that Varden. He is stronger, healthier, wiser, and more alive. He is determined, agile, and clever. Back then there was a chance I could have taken. I could have stayed in that place where I was just smoking extremely powerful drugs and getting further and further into a little hole I'd created in my head where I could be "safe" from the troubles of the world. Even I knew back then that I couldn't hide from myself, though. So, here I am. These past few months I've been cleaner than a nun and I have to say it's worked wonders on my livelihood. There is still a long way to go, but I'm getting there.