Today, the second Monday of October, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving.  It’s similar to Thanksgiving south of the border but without Black Friday. Gratitude comes from the Latin ‘gratia’ which is the root for the English word ‘grace’ and the Spanish word ‘gracias’ which means thank you.  I have written several times here that it is impossible to feel fear, anger or resentment with a heart full of gratitude. I am believer in the gratitude list. I don’t need to wait for one day, once a year to be grateful.  I can be grateful every day. My list has lifted my spirit many a time.

Here are a few things that come to mind at this time.

I’m grateful that I wake up every day. I’m not coming to, I’m not kind a morgue, nor am I in that foggy state of semi-consciousness following a blackout. I awaken clear headed, and I remember what happened last night.

I can begin my day again whenever I need to. Every once in a while I have a bad day. Fortunately I can leave the past in the past. Yes, sometimes things don’t go as we would like them. I can find a quiet spot and mentally put the first hours of the day behind me. I can’t change what happened, but I don’t have to dwell in it.

I have tools in my arsenal to deal with feelings and difficult situations. First of all, I deal with them right now, as they arise. Or at least I try. I can stop, breath and know that it’s not the end of the world. I remember that it is temporary. I can call my sponsor or another member of the group. I can step away. I didn’t know how to do any of that before.

I belong. I am part of a world-wide community of sobriety. I learned when I came into recovery that I am not alone. In fact, wherever I go I can find like minded folks working on their recovery. I am grateful I’m part of a ‘we’ program.

I have a Higher Power and its not me. How freeing it is to know that I don’t have to handle everything. At any point in my day I can stop, close my eyes and remember that I am not alone. I can do this in moments of great joy or great frustration. I am not in this world alone. My Higher Power has my back.

I can enjoy the bus ride that is life. My job in life is to enjoy the ride, look out the window, enjoy my fellow passengers. I don’t drive the bus. I don’t have to fix the bus. I don’t sell tickets nor do I direct others where to sit or with whom to talk. Sit and enjoy. That’s all there is to it.

I am more alive today than I have ever been. I try to live in the moment.  Today is what is important, not tomorrow, nor yesterday.  It follows that I am alive today.  When I live in the moment I am free. I am free from thoughts of yesterday: things said or unsaid, done or undone.  I am free from tomorrow’s plans, fears and anxieties.  This is the moment I am alive.

I don’t ‘have to’ I ‘get to’ do many things in life. This is something that a blogging friend talked about a while back.  I don’t have to go to work, I get to go to work. I get to drive a car. I get to live a life beyond my dreams. I get to recover.  I am grateful.

♥  ♥  ♥

Please like and share this blog, not to stroke my ego, but for those who need the courage, strength and hope to start and continue their journey down Recovery River. I would appreciate it if you would sign up and follow as well.  My intention is to post Mondays and Thursdays.   Please comment and offer suggestions.  I’d love to hear from you.

Peace