There’s no question in the minds of many of us that we don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to think or talk about gratitude. Gratitude can often be the main subject of any meeting.
We all have so many things that have occurred in our lives, which have so changed all of us, that we can tell our own stories of what has happened to each and everyone of us.
Especially, when we are out of sorts. When we’re disturbed. Sad, angry, into self pity, resentful…and the list could go on. But that’s exactly when each of us needs to stop and make a gratitude list. It will change our attitudes almost immediately.
When we were talking about this today at the meeting, I heard a lot of good things, which reminded me of how fortunate I have been, as a result of getting sober and staying sober. What a gift I have been given. I not only stopped drinking, as a result of coming to this program, but it saved my life. A life I was willing to give up, because I could not stop drinking. And yet here I am so many years later. Still alive. Wow! That in itself is enough to put gratitude way up there on the list.
But there’s more. So much more. My life changed as a result of all of this. The 12 Steps, which brought about these changes. And allowed me to begin to live life for the first time. However, I would be remiss, as someone reminded me today, if I didn’t mention the one Step, which always comes to mind. That’s the 2nd Step. The one, after I surrendered to my alcoholism, which opened the door to this program, which I had closed.
I didn’t want the rest of this program, when I came in. I just wanted to stop drinking and never drink again. This spiritual program wasn’t for me. That was until I learned that, if I didn’t begin to live a spiritual life I would die an alcoholic death. That changed everything. I had narrowly missed death as a result of drinking, as I said. And there it was in that Step. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Another step into a deeper surrender. And I’m so grateful that I did. I have been restored to sanity, as far as drinking alcohol is concerned.
I know I could go down into items, but just being sober is enough for now. Remembering my primary purpose. An act of gratitude I’m so willing to do each and every day.
Grateful to my Higher Power, who restored me to sanity. I need to remember that each day I get up and am still sober. Thanks. Not just to my Higher Power, but to the people He put in my life. I need to acknowledge my gratitude to each and everyone I have ever met and who have helped me along the way.