Gratitude

Gratitude; the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Grateful; warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful

Probably from Late Latin grātitūdō which is thankfulness, and again from the Latin grātus which is thankful or pleasing (the above definitions are from dictionary.com)

The importance of becoming grateful is far greater than most of us can appreciate especially when we are new to or resisting recovery. In the beginning, we are often too angry, frustrated, confused…etc. to recognize how vital gratitude is in our lives. 

When we stop to think about it no matter the situation most of us will ever be in it is better than the alternative. In other words, sometimes we must be grateful that even though it is not how I would like it to be it is better than it could be or what my actions probably left me open to.

Sometimes recognizing reasons to be grateful is as simple as considering someone who is suffering or going through a trial more difficult than ours. Sometimes we just must stop being selfish while thinking that the world revolves around me.

We must learn to become grateful or our chance of true long-lasting sobriety will likely not come to us. We need simply to learn to be grateful for the little things and move toward more significant things. As we grow in our recovery then we can begin to appreciate the bigger things as they come to us. 

Below are some compare and contrasts that we must choose daily if we are to get or remain Happy, Joyous, and Free.

Gratitude; I will find the reasons to be joyful

Bad Attitude; Will take away any joy I possess

Gratitude; I will find something positive in everything or situation

Bad Attitude; It will make everything lousy, even the good

Gratitude; I will find small reasons to be satisfied and content

Bad Attitude; I will become the person never satisfied

Gratitude; Grateful and other positive people will want to be around me

Bad Attitude; Will drive positive from me and I will only attract negativity

Gratitude; I will build up those around me and be of greater service

Bad Attitude; I will corrupt and pollute those around me 

Gratitude; I will be a positive role model for my family and those I love

Bad Attitude; I will negatively affect all those around me 

For those of us who suffer from addiction, the difference can be even more dramatic and serious than those I have listed above. For me and others that I have known over the years the depth, level, and even the length of my sobriety can be measured in direct proportion to my gratitude.

Gratitude will always bring me more than a bad attitude. Gratitude gives life, joy, peace, serenity, and a sense of personal reward. A bad attitude can only make something simple seem hard and the hard impossible to bear. 

Below is a sample Gratitude List. If you do not make a list every day, consider starting one today. It will change the way you feel about yourself, others around you, and even the personal situation you are in right now.

Today I am grateful…

• that where I was is not where I am
• for soft, warm blankets, sweaters, and jackets
• that I am getting more comfortable with the ‘what anyone thinks of me is none of my business’ thing
• that I have my needs supplied today. A warm bed, shelter, adequate clothing, shoes, medicines, sobriety, recovery, hugs, smiles, songs, laughs, a higher power, people to whom I can say ‘I love you’ and mean it
• for rearranged thoughts

My Daily Gratitude 

Will Determine My Daily Altitude