Down under, on this Monday morning at 10:17am the sun is bringing a lot of warmth, light and beauty to us Australian's.
Yesterday, as in Sunday, I met up with some of my non-alcoholic friends for some coffee, cake and a chat....most enjoyable to hang out with people who care about you.
As I was driving home after a loverly afternoon, the sun was preparing to move to your side of the world, the traffic was flowing, and I felt very happy and at peace with my world and the world in general. Once again I was reminded of how fortunate I am to be sober and clean.
For me, having a space in my heart, mind and soul which i have named as 'gratitude', means that i am able to visit this place often. The developing of an attitude of gratitude has been a major player in me remaining clean and sober.
As a praciticing alcoholic I was never grateful. I always expected, took what i wanted, irrespective of others needs, wants or desires, and I road over other people's rights to be treated with respect and dignity.
In sobriety I found that unless I was prepared to change my self-centred attitude and develop an attitude of gratitude, I was deemed to re-live my horror of active addiction.
This was not easly...and lets be honest.... getting sober and remaining sober is not easy at any time...however as I began to emotionally mature, my first recognision of being grateful was when on day I realised that, in spite of myself I was not drinking.
For me gratitude has developed over time, and over time I have observed that my attitude of gratitude has develop a life of its own. A life that I choose to visit on a regular bases.
Thank you for allowing me to share my Sunday afternoon with my friends with you.
Thank you for sharing your Sunday afternoon with us.
Yes, it took a little while for this alcoholic to develop an attitude of gratitude. When I was drinking, I had very little gratitude for anything. But, now, I always mentally do a gratitude list each day and amaze myself at all that I have to be grateful for.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
