In spite of the unavoidable life on life’s terms that we find ourselves in, there is always something to be grateful for if that is your desire. When I was unexpectedly admitted for two full days to the hospital from an allergic reaction that caused facial swelling, I found gratitude for having available medical care, for friends who were willing to care for my pets, and for the recovery program that has taught me how to accept things that are beyond my control.
Looking for a sober house for men in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Employing an attitude of gratitude is one of the best defenses against relapse. Falling back into harmful patterns of behavior normally occurs when we stay focused on the negative thoughts. It is seemingly impossible to be thankful and pessimistic simultaneously. Perhaps this explains why a sponsor almost always assigns writing a gratitude list when they hear a litany of complaints. It is difficult to be miserable when you are giving thanks for the air in your lungs, roof over your head, food in your fridge and love in your heart.
The Serenity Prayer and praying for willingness or a new perspective are excellent proposals. “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart. Someone once recommended to me to say “thank you” twenty times upon waking each morning. This affirmation did not require me to specify who to thank or what to thank for, simply to proclaim “thank you”. Give it a try for one week and you will notice that your attitude throughout each day has improved.
No matter how we’ve tried to self-destruct, here we are – among the living. When I consider all of the hazardous experiences that I survived during active addiction, it astonishes me that I am still alive. Therefore, it is my belief that there must be a purpose for me to yet fulfill, as well as for each of us. It is my current conception that sharing a message of hope for recovery is God’s main objective for me. Each day I awake and thank God for another opportunity to accomplish this goal.
Find a sober house for men in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Did you know?
In recovery, we are seeking balance in body, mind and spirit. Maintaining positive thinking, a spirit of gratitude and reciting positive affirmations are often studied for their beneficial effects on the human body and mind. For one, optimists cope better with stress and are more solution-oriented.