When I came into my program, I had very little money to myself. (alanon side).  However, just as sick or sicker than my alcoholic and I have had to work my program with AA members and Open AA mtgs.  Anyway, the gratitude thing was a mystery to me for a very long time.  Sometimes I would put my $1 in the basket, hey, cheap therapy.  Some weeks, I couldn't even PART with that $1, I felt so desperate.

I began to put pennies in jars, cars, slots for children wherever they were set out.  Things seemed to get better.  Then later, I decided it should be shiny nickels.  Things seemed to get a little better.  Then shiny dimes.  : )    Then, I would BACKSLIDE, Yuck!   I felt so yucky, but I plunged ahead with a shiny quarter and a prayer.  Next week, things seemed to turn around.   I even plunged ahead and put that $1 in the meeting basket when the lump wanted to form in my throat, but the next week's pay seemed to be there for my hubby.

What I want to end with here is this.  Every time I put a coin in, I now find change lying in the parking lots when I am out an about.  It sort of seems like what I have given has come back to me and several coins at a time now.  Those coins go in my jeans pocket, but the next time I seem those coin slots, I donate!   Just something I have witnessed. 

I have often heard God/Hp wants us to have money and not to be without it.  Perhaps it is a tool and we need to learn that.  We do not have to have too much, just enough or SOME money to be happy, serene.

I know some folks won't even stoop down to pick up a penny or small change anymore, but I DO!