Gratitude: Topic 01/18/09 - 01/24/09

[sabrina]

"An Attitude of Gratitude"

I remember having an oldtimer tell me that was what I needed to have in order to stay sober. I remember he introduced himself as a "grateful" recovering alcoholic at each meeting. I didn't understand it then as I could picture nothing to be grateful for but I have come to believe just as he told me that only by living a life of gratitude can this alcoholic stay sober. Ideas given to us in meetings such as gratitude lists haven't been passed down to us for no reason.

Have a great week and don't forget to be gratful for each 24 hours of sobriety with which you are blessed ...........

and make those lists

[Chewi]

I wake up every morning and thank God for my sobriety, and my other blessings as well. It is so easy in our culture to fall into a trap of always wanting more--isn't that what every addiction is about--you can never get enough! Satan lies to us and tells us we need more, more, more to be happy. But that is a lie. We need to seek God's kingdom first and all these things [our spiritual and physical needs will be met] will be added unto you.
I struggle with wanting more, but know in my heart that being content in all circumstances and allowing God to fulfill me is what brings contentment. Giving of ourselves, our money, our time to help others brings joy. Have a blessed day!

[dalin]

I do a men's NA grattitude list everyday with addicts from
8 countrys.
Some days it makes it hard to feel bad when an addict in afganistan walks to
town 3 times a week and rents a computer from an internet caffe to right about
how happy he is to have indoor plumming,or that the terrorists have stopped there
local action so he can travel freely,well it spiritualy releases my willingness
wheels,and gets me into action.

[sonia n]

I am grateful just to be able to wake up...

[admin]

An attitude of gratitude to God for my life today is how I live. Thank you Lord.

[serenity3]

Grateful for my higher power

[DavidNOLA]

I am a very grateful alcoholic.
This week my DUI charges were dropped. I really should have never been arrested because I blew .068. But I was and I am grateful I was because I would have been right back out there if they would have released me.
I am also grateful for finding an incredible home group that I go to almost every morning. Without them, I would have probably tap danced these last almost 6 months and instead of going to a meeting the day after court, I would have gone to a bar to celebrate. And I never would have considered praying to God in thanks. .
I am grateful that I know that to think I can drink like a normal person is just my disease trying to pull a fast one on me.
I am grateful to know that there is a whole world of interesting people out there to meet and I don't have to go to bars to find them.

[Doraine]

I'm grateful to be a sober Granny. I got sober when my daughter, mother of my 2 grandsons, was 9 years old.

[Craig A.]

My sponsor told me to keep my gratitude level just for my sobriety first, cause without my sobriety I would have noyhing especially myself. He reminded me to look at my life and everything I achieved and done. Did I still have those things, did I appreciate those things ( jobs, family, relationships, etc... ). He reminded me that I don't need A.A. or any other 12-step program to get those things back, he explained that A.A. helps you stay sober and then find yourself. With my sobriety I have myself, and those jobs, family, relationships with other people and especially my relationship with my Higher Power whom I choose to call Jesus Christ! Everything above my sobriety is icing on the cake sorta say. Thank you for the topic and God Bless and take care!!!

[francie21805]

I know I'm a day late... Anyway--

What I’ve been trying to make a gratitude list of non-material things. Thanking God for the material gifts is good and I really do like my bed and the sheets and blanket that covers it, but what about those things I can’t touch. The things I can “feel” now. Like love. Yes, I have discovered I can feel love without being touch or told I’m loved. And the ability to give that same kind of love without expectations is such a new and wonderful experience.

Right now, at this moment, I'm grateful because I'm not afraid of the silence, that I'm able to find peace in the silence and that I'm able to listen for God's will for me in this silence.

I'm grateful to feel useful. To feel and know there's a purpose for me. To understand I'm not alone, when I'm alone.

And Sobriety is #1 on all the lists, of course!!!