I am bipolar, HIV+, and a recovering addict. I used meth to try to ease the mental complications of bipolar and became addicted. I became infected with HIV in 2004 In the Spring of 2006, I knew that I had two choices...either keep using and die or get help and hope to live. My clean date is April 20, 2006.
Since I have gotten clean, I have been recovering in all areas of my life. The viral load is undetectable, the mood has stabilized, and I have grown spiritually in ways that I never imagined.
When I started recovery, I wasn't expecting to be able to pursue life dreams that I had buried years before. I had grown up with the ambition of being a vocalist/actor/musician/composer. I was building a successful career until a severe manic episode started in the Fall of 2002 which led to lose of business, family, friends and the start of an addiction to meth. When I decided to quit and get help, I just wanted to live to tell my story to others so that they may be spared becoming addicted or infected with HIV.
Last year, almost a year into my recovery, I started reading again. I read books on spirituality and books that were inspirational. I began to realize that not only could I dream again, but that my Higher Power wanted me to dream and dream big. I began to think about what I should do with my new life and how did my old dreams fit in. I decided that going back to school to study music composition would be the best thing I could do to manifest the knowledge I needed to tap back into the creative being I was put here to be.
I have applied to several universities and am so pleased to say that I was accepted into my first school of choice... I have been accepted into the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami to work toward a Master of Music in Media Writing and Production (composition/film scoring). I have faith that this is where I am supposed to be and that all my needs will be met so that I may attend and give my full attention to my studies. I don't know how, exactly, and I have learned that I don't have to know how the Universe works its wonders. However, I am planting the necessary seeds.
I heard recently that a seed holds the potential of a thousand forests. I plan to use my education not only for pursuing a professional career... I hope to pass on the knowledge I gain to future students of music and students of Life.
