Gratitude and acceptance are two magic tricks available to us in recovery. No matter who we are, where we are, or what we have, gratitude and acceptance work.
We may eventually become so happy that we realize our present circumstances are good. Or we master our present circumstances and then move forward into the next set of circumstances.
If we become stuck, miserable, feeling trapped and hopeless, try gratitude and acceptance. If we have tried unsuccessfully to alter our present circumstances and have begun to feel like we're beating our head against a brick wall, try gratitude and acceptance.
If we feel like all is dark and the night will never end, try gratitude and acceptance.
If we feel scared and uncertain, try gratitude and acceptance.
If we've tried everything else and nothing seems to work, try gratitude and acceptance.
If we've been fighting something, try gratitude and acceptance.
When all else fails, go back to the basics.
Gratitude and acceptance work.
Today, God, help me let go of my resistance. Help me know the pain of a circumstance will stop hurting so much if I accept it. I will practice the basics of gratitude and acceptance in my life, and for all my present circumstances.
From The Language of Letting Go
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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
Thanks Carol, this is a good one... though it probably didn't seem like it from my posts here, making gratitude lists and stuff was one of the things that kept me somewhat sane the last few weeks... I wasn't always able to keep my spirits up dealing with the back problems, but kept remember last spring when it got bad, and how I got on a pity party and *stayed* on a pity party and it led to drinking... this time I refused to let it go that far... I'd vent and whine about it, but would also turn around and try to be grateful for what I do have in my life, and grateful for the support system I've found in this program - online and f2f... Acceptance is a bit of a harder one to tackle, but I'm working on it... lol
Someone I know says all the time it's a 2 step program... Surrender and Acceptance... that with surrender and acceptance you can stay sober... I think Gratitude definitely needs to be thrown in along with that.
Thanks for this, Q. I'm glad you've worked hard on pulling through, Lisa. Your hard work really is to your credit. You've learned from your previous experience & are using it to your best advantage. Well done, chica. Keep up the fabulous work. I hope you're getting some relief. Love in recovery, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
