"Must the hunger become anger and anger become fury before anything will be done?" --John Steinbeck
I have a gratitude in my life today that stems from the daily recovery I enjoy in my life. Today I am happy, joyous and content; I am able to deal with the daily problems that we all have to face. I am grateful that I have a disease that it is possible to recover from.
However, there are millions of people who suffer in poverty or with diseases that cannot be "arrested" by a change in behavior or attitude: What can I do for these people?
Well, I can seek to pray for them daily. I can visit them or comfort their families when the opportunity arises. But more than this I can give money to the various research foundations that exist and require the support of the public. I have an awareness of my need to give. My feeling of gratitude must be earthed in the support of practical charities.
Lord, let the gratitude I feel enable me to give.
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
The very best thing I have to give to this world is a SOBER ME... helping another alcoholic, one alcoholic at a time.
I don't think I was put on this earth to help them find a cure for cancer, or to build churches in third world countries, or to fight terrorists. God's purpose for me, as I see it, is to extend the hand of AA to another recovering alcoholic.
I very much enjoyed the meditation you shared with us. Love the rainbow!!
I have so much gratitude because I woke up sober this morning. I do now feel that a bad sober day is vastly better then any good days I had when I was drinking. I feel enormous gratitude, too, to AA and to this super forum. I do hope that I will be able to extend my hand in true friendship to other sufferers. That would be wonderful for me.
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
What a great post. although I always say charity begins at home. It could just be an act of kindness without money being involved. I stay clear or big money making charities and give perhaps to nieghbor who is old a nice dinner once in awhile or a trip to an amusment park to a child who parents cannot afford time or money to go. I do give to the vet who stands outside Walmarts asking for a small donation. It's all up to the idividual and how much they can spare. A smile is free though and it makes the nicest gift!
I've heard some good stuff at meetings lately, okay all the time! A couple things stick out though. Joni brought up working with others. This is our primary goal as alcoholics working a program of recovery, to help the next alcoholic.......action!
The other thing, which seems impossible to me, is to do a good deed for someone and to not tell anyone about it! Imagine that!
