There are so many things I am grateful for, I don't know where to begin. For now I will say that I am grateful to be an alcoholic, for it has brought me to AA and on this journey called sobriety. Today I am grateful to be recovering and to have a life worth living. Peace
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I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
Right now, Im greatful that no matter what Ive been through, I havent taken a drink and have re-evaluated my decision to "trudge the road to happy destiny" alone. Thats a rough road. But it doesnt have to be.
I am exceedingly grateful to have found a home group that is so amazingly generous in sharing their strength, hope, experience, humor and support. I just got home from a meeting and feel filled to the brim with gratitude for the wonderful people I get to spend time with. :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
Thanks for the topic. What am I grateful for? Good question. I'm grateful for the wonderful gift of sobriety, first and foremost. I'm still sober today despite the occasional hiccup from time to time, and for that I'm grateful. I'm also grateful for the fellowship of AA and for my sponsor of course. Then, there are the people in my sober network. They are my lifeline and a source of comfort. Compadres to the end, most assuredly. I'm sober today by God's grace and their friendship, in that order. I also like to mention my spiritual brethren as well. They provide me with a solid sense of who I am, despite my shortcomings. They have a habit of noticing the beauty that lies within, not without. I feel comfortable today despite all else, and I have them to thank for that. The list goes on and on.
The point I'm trying to make is this: AA has spared me many more years of misery, and without their continued support I don't know where I'd be. The best way can sum up my feelings toward them and the AA fellowship as a whole is by quoting a well known source on the topic -Bill W, so here goes: Gratitude is not just an attitude; it's also a way of life. How True...Remember, you dont have to feel grateful to be grateful. So, hats off to AA and my sober network. I wouldn't enjoy life today -as I do- without your ongoing support, and for that I say...thank you.
~God Bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Wednesday 25th of January 2012 02:40:05 AM
Right now I'm grateful to have all of you. For years I walked alone, I was filled with fear, anger, contempt, and emptiness. I no longer walk alone anywhere, you guys and gals know where i've been, and how I feel.
Thank you for being here.
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"Never make someone a priority who makes you an option"
I used to push myself, FORCE myself to stay sober for periods of time. I would usually make it about 9 days at the most. Usually it was more like 2 days. I told myself that this would be a good plan at one point. 2 days off, one day on. That way, I would be in control. But many times that one day on, had some extensions. Only when I did REALLY terribly stupid things, did I force myself to go longer than 2 days. I was almost training my mind to forget just how terribly stupid I was, so that I would feel falsely good, and sabotage it again.
When I quit drinking 30 days ago, I didn't even really think of it as my last day, nor did I keep track of that date. I was to the point where I didn't even put in the little bit of effort I just mentioned. I was about to lose everything for the first time, and that was enough to at least get me here, on this site. Because of all of you bleeps who kept telling me I had to go to a real live meeting, I finally did. I just figured I would go and at least get a sponsor. But I was home at last. Insert the song "Thank God almighty I'm free at last".
From that point, the days started flying by. 30 days seemed like a REALLY big and impossible number to me, and it flew by thanks to AA. 2 days used to be an eternity, and now 30? Blows my mind. What a joy life can be without alcohol. Who knew? What gracious and remarkable people you are stripped of the booze. I never met a soul in the bar or my closet, I could say that about.
So I'm grateful for you who cared when I first got here, and AA through the wooden doors. I'm grateful to still have my family and warm home. And I'm grateful that 2 days can slip by unnoticed.
I used to push myself, FORCE myself to stay sober for periods of time. I would usually make it about 9 days at the most. Usually it was more like 2 days. I told myself that this would be a good plan at one point. 2 days off, one day on. That way, I would be in control. But many times that one day on, had some extensions. Only when I did REALLY terribly stupid things, did I force myself to go longer than 2 days. I was almost training my mind to forget just how terribly stupid I was, so that I would feel falsely good, and sabotage it again.
When I quit drinking 30 days ago, I didn't even really think of it as my last day, nor did I keep track of that date. I was to the point where I didn't even put in the little bit of effort I just mentioned. I was about to lose everything for the first time, and that was enough to at least get me here, on this site. Because of all of you bleeps who kept telling me I had to go to a real live meeting, I finally did. I just figured I would go and at least get a sponsor. But I was home at last. Insert the song "Thank God almighty I'm free at last".
From that point, the days started flying by. 30 days seemed like a REALLY big and impossible number to me, and it flew by thanks to AA. 2 days used to be an eternity, and now 30? Blows my mind. What a joy life can be without alcohol. Who knew? What gracious and remarkable people you are stripped of the booze. I never met a soul in the bar or my closet, I could say that about.
So I'm grateful for you who cared when I first got here, and AA through the wooden doors. I'm grateful to still have my family and warm home. And I'm grateful that 2 days can slip by unnoticed.
Tasha, That quote is genious and I think it is great for us all to remember that it really is about finding bottom and just surrendering. "You got it HP" and take your hands off the wheel. Work the simple program and stay sober one day at a time."Keep it simple" is just the most rewarding way to live!
Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
I am grateful for all the helpful, generous people that are making my transition to the new job and smooth and happy one. They inspire me to be of service to others.
-- Edited by vixen on Friday 27th of January 2012 03:16:58 AM
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
Lol, a pigeon is what alot of sponsors called us when we came in to the program Tasha. we carry the message or at least try to lol.
I asked him what it was and he told me not to worry about it, that I would get it one day lol. Before he passed, he told me a Pigeon carries the message and to never stop. An old guy at the metropolis club told me when I asked lol that a pigeon was a dumbass bird that flys around and shits on old statues lol. He said now get the F#** away from me before you start shitting on me lol. Crazy as it sounds, I really miss those old timers, they were brilliant! and they kept it sooo simple.
-- Edited by The Addiction Club on Friday 27th of January 2012 12:35:24 PM
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"Never make someone a priority who makes you an option"
I'm grateful I have not arrived, nor have I got this thing licked. I have a pigeon with 4 years who thinks he has recovered. He is a very very wealthy and intelligent guy, but I fear the disease is out smarting him. He is trying to run something and improve our process lol. This thing is cunning, Baffling, and Powerful!
Thanks for this thread Tasha..
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"Never make someone a priority who makes you an option"
What is a pigeon Marc? He's trying to start a new kind of meeting? Why? By the way, I just copied your idea for this thread cuz I love the good morning good night thread ; ) Also, Vixen made me realize that staying grateful is the best way to stay sober.
I rolled out of bed at 4:40 today. That's super early for me, but it feels good to have the morning peace and quiet before the kids wake up. My nanny goat had her babies early yesterday. Very cold here yet, and I wasn't expecting any kids for months. Hopefully the little ones, who are smaller than my persian cat, were warm enough through the night as it got down into the low teens. I was so grateful to be up early to go out and check on them. They are black, and it was pitch black out, but the stars were amazing. I'm grateful I got to see the morning stars, and that "Pippy" and her little ones "Charlie & Simon" were sleeping soundly. I literally had a spiritual awakening this morning. Great to be sober for it, and not still drunk from the night before.
Today I'm grateful for my Mom's cherry pie. Even if it was bought from the store. And for her reading the kids books before bed, so I can get in some MIP board time.
Yesterday I was at the pet store. The same one attached to my favorite coffee shop... which also sells my favorite wine. I don't think I've ever gone to get anything at that pet store without stopping for a coffee & some booze. I was so embarrassed that I was unbelievably tempted to go in. I called my sponsor. First time I've "used" her in that way. Call drop. But, she did get to say hello, and just a few seconds brought me back to sanity. I was in and out of there without another thought of the alcohol. So I'm really thankful for my HP today, that I'm not hungover : )
I'm grateful I got to go to a meeting where one person picked up his one year chip and another person picked up her twenty-three year chip. Keep coming back...it works...thank God. :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
I keep a notebook by my bed and every night I write down at least 5 things I was grateful for that day.
Today: Seeing my friend's 6-month old baby healthy and happy after they tried for 4 years to have one, having great friends who make time for us to get together and play music, having a job, a home, and a warm place to sleep, and the continued great health of my dogs (9 and 12 years old).
Im feeling grateful for the fact I can go out without feeling tortured by the world and people around me. Ive found this program and I can go out in public, out with people I know and I am not carrying on like a mess of a drunk person. I can go out and talk with someone without the anxieties/ fears I used to have. I can understand whats being said much much easier and clearer. I am feeling and almost seeing a glow that I used to have years ago which I had forgotten, I am now completely able to handle situations that used to cause me sweat and panic (like the promises have stated) I can go out with someone and not say one stupid, rude, innapropriate thing. I am no longer overwhelmed by simple things in life, and everyday life for that matter. When I think of my family who I used to be angry at, i can only smile and say "families family" and not be unhappy about it. I feel as if Im joining the human race which I dropped out of maybe a decade ago, I can feel my higher power in my life and I know its an ok thing, I have a new respect for health and I have given up cigarettes and changed the way I eat, I have lost weight, bought new clothes, found it easier to walk a long time and have noticed great things like women smiling at me...add infinitum
I'm grateful for this amazing winter weather that we're having. Riding my motorcycle to the Clearwater Building dept. this morning to get a permit for a job, which I'm also grateful for.
Knowing what people are grateful for is such a cool way to get to know them. I wish I would have always taken that approach. A lot of times in my life, it's been the exact opposite. I have become friends with so many people, just through reinforcing their bi*** session about our job, or spouse, or whatever. I'm realizing today, that even though I was not the type to start such a session, joining in is just as bad... maybe worse. I have the choice to change the subject, be an example or simply say "hey, lets talk about what we're grateful for"! In the real world, I might be embarrassed and feel like a dork to say that last thing. Here on this board, or in AA... NEVER! I need to walk the walk and talk the talk in and out of AA. I'm so grateful for sobriety, the promises, AA, all of you who do not find me to be dorky when actually I really always have been, and waking up to another day of LIFE!
I am grateful for a day with the possibility of a nap! There's something intensely wonderful about curling up for an hour in the afternoon and recharging the battery. :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
I am so very grateful that I get to spend today sober. :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
