My 12-step sponsor suggested that this would be a good time season my Recovery with writing about the good things in my life. Then I heard from a 12-step fellow that she learned how to season her own Recovery by focusing her communication on the positive. So, today I’m claiming my gratitude.
I am grateful to be alive and learning how to love and be loved. Love is it. Marriage, family, friendship, community, therapy, 12-step fellowship, work, Nature, relationships with humans and other animals (especially dogs!)… these are all my generously-given opportunities to experience and learn about love. Thank you, Higher Power, that which I call G-d.
I am grateful for the crucible of the accident on January 18, 2011; that I was in a right-size body and a healthy frame of mind; that I was conscious and able to give the necessary information to Jared, the Good Samaritan who took action to find the people who would save my life.
I am grateful that, when I had to surrender and let others take over control of my body, including my breathing, I finally remembered the Serenity Prayer. I am grateful that the Serenity Prayer gave me an understanding of my predicament. My understanding was that my friends and family would be touched by this event; and that they would raise up love and prayer in the world. More love and prayer in the world could only be for the good.
I am grateful that my mind never imagined I would die or be paralyzed. I always understood my terrible anxiety to be rooted in some imbalance that was eventually treatable with medications. I was always hopeful that the next day would be better.
I am grateful to all those who took care of me and helped me to get back my abilities to take care of myself. I am grateful to those practitioners who continue to support my physical, mental and spiritual Recovery from trauma.
I am grateful for my intelligence, heart, and even my food addiction. Because of my food addiction, I encountered the 12 steps which hold the promise of liberation, freedom, appreciation for the true nature of food, service to others, honesty, fellowship, courage, certainty, security, next-right-steps, and purpose.
I am grateful for this 12-step program which is helping me to grow as a person, and which provides a fellowship of individuals who I love and who love me and who support my Abstinence. I am grateful to our program’s focus on Honesty and its suggestion for 30 minutes of Daily Quiet Time. I am grateful for three weighed and measured meals a day, no flour or sugar, and nothing in between.
I am grateful that I can take a nap in the middle of the day.
I am grateful for all the love that was shared at the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting House on May 19, 2012 at our wedding!
I am grateful to be turning my attention from the past, so that soon my story will more about what I’m grateful for in the present moment. I know that I will need to surrender my identity as the “survivor of a terrible accident”… to some unknown new me.
I am grateful to my family, friends and fellows for your sparks of Divinity. You are lighting and leading the way to love.
Love & Light,
Valerie
See sources of images on my Pinterest site at http://pinterest.com/acupofkindness.
Valerie, I am so thankful to read your blog tonight and realize that you are thinking in a very positive way. I would say this is a very good thing. It was good to read all of the things that you can think of now that you can be and are thankful for. I think it is necessary for us to sometimes write down all of the things that we can think of that we have to be thankful for – all of our blessings. We have to actually think about it, as we write, and that is important.
I am thankful for your love and friendship. I keep you in my daily prayers.
Love,
Theolyn
Dear Theolyn,
I really appreciate this positive reinforcement! You are a dear friend.
Love & Light,
Valerie
A very beautiful list of gratitudes – makes me very grateful for all that you are. mom