Gratitude

[bluidkiti]

Today I am thinking about all the things I have
to be grateful for and will write them down.
I will make a gratitude list,
adding to it every time I think of something new.
By doing this I will be more aware of
the things I have to be grateful for and
will always have something about which I can feel good,
no matter what is going on in my life.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel

[bluidkiti]

I am grateful that November is Gratitude month.
The weather has brought about runny noses
but doesn't stop me from smelling the roses.

I am grateful for the family I have.
They may not be who I want them to be
But they are the people God chose for me.

I am grateful for my job.
Have to pay the bills and buy the food
Earning that money sure feels good.

I am grateful for my husband.
He can be a butt when he has a bad day
And take me in his arms and love me anyway.

I am grateful for my friends.
They know when I'm busy and the phone doesn't ring
They know when I'm lonely and have the best timing.

I am grateful for my recovery.
I came to the rooms wanting a way out
I was taught what living is really about.

I am grateful for my feelings.
From accomplished to over whelmed, and satisfied to over stressed
Just accept them and feel them and know I am blessed.

I am grateful for the weather.
I live in the best and the worst of the seasons
The worst compliments the best with good reasons.

I am grateful for this group.
When there isn't a meeting to go anywhere
I can log on anytime and know you are here.

I am grateful for who I am.
Finally at last it's okay to be me
I deserve to live Happy, Joyous and FREE!

--Bonnie

[bluidkiti]

Expressions of Gratitude

For the rise and set of the sun each day...
I am thankful.

For the bounty and beauty of mother earth...
I am thankful.

For the home where the heart of my family resides...
I am thankful.

For the enduring devotion of steadfast friendships...
I am thankful.

For the pleasure of unrestricted laughter and silly moments...
I am thankful.

For the numerous shoulders that share the weight of my sorrows...
I am thankful.

For the pages of memories in my book of time...
I am thankful.

For all I have and all I am able to give...
I am thankful.

For the setting aside of an eminent day to gather in love, to pause
and say:
"I am grateful for the abundance of blessings in my life.
I am thankful.

1999 Terri McPherson

[bluidkiti]

NA Just For Today

The gratitude list

"We focus on anything that isn't going our way and ignore all the beauty in our lives."

Basic Text, p. 80

It's easy to be grateful when everything runs smoothly. If we get a raise at work, we're grateful. If we get married, we're grateful. If someone surprises us with a nice present or an unasked favor, we're grateful. But if we get fired, divorced, or disappointed, gratitude flies out the window. We find ourselves becoming obsessed with the things that are wrong, even though everything else may be wonderful.

This is where we can use a gratitude list. We sit down with a pen and paper and list the people for whom we are grateful. We all have people who've supported us through life's upheavals. We list the spiritual assets we have attained, for we know we could never make it through our present circumstances without them. Last, but not least, we list our recovery itself. Whatever we have that we are grateful for goes on the list.

We're sure to find that we have literally hundreds of things in our lives that inspire our gratitude. Even those of us who are suffering from an illness or who have lost all material wealth will find blessings of a spiritual nature for which we can be thankful. An awakening of the spirit is the most valuable gift an addict can receive.

Just for Today: I will write a list of things, both material and spiritual, for which I am grateful.

Page 229

[MajestyJo]

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help."

There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."

I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have.. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling.
And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!

If you appreciate this message, please share. You may touch someone's heart today and forever.

Enjoy your week with a heart of gratitude...

From my site The Five As - posted August 29, 2010

[Magie]

Thanks for all your gratitude posts,,
No one is fighting this morning and oeace reigns for the moment.!!
I am grateful for this..

[MajestyJo]

Grateful for another day.
Grateful that the sun is still shining here.
Grateful that my attempt at a chicken and rice casserole tasted good.
Grateful that I got the energy and connection to make the phone calls I needed to make.
Grateful that I got a couple of appointments in place.
Grateful that my pain eased and hopefully I can get some more posting done.
Grateful for all of you who share this journey with me.

[LookingOut]

Grateful for a God whose love can never run out, who is with me always and never gives up on me no matter how disobedient. He gently leads me back to His path, showing me lovingly that it is the right way. In doing so, He helps me to love others and gently help others. He teaches me compassion I would not have on my own.

Grateful for friends and online friends who shine His light and show how He has changed them and who also show me the right way.

Grateful for His mercies that are new every morning.

[willbe275]

God, in your relentlessness in pursuing me is amazing and graceful! Thank you for bringing me home to you in spite of my willfulness. Teach me to trust that you do all things in your good time. Today as I lift before you people who I know need your help, use me to encourage and comfort them with your love. Amen.
From the book: Daily Texts 2013.

[MajestyJo]

Grateful to be clean and sober.
Grateful that I don't have to use over things that happen in my life today.
Grateful for the people that where there for me.
Grateful that I could take some time and work on some issues, a lot of stress with my son, with the elevator in my building, the rib which is bent if not cracked, for making me take the time to deal with some issues.
Grateful that I got a retro payment which allowed me to buy some much need things for my health and well being.
Grateful for all of you who walk this journey with me.
Grateful that my God makes Himself known to me daily.
Grateful for the lessons of the program. i.e. Quit trying to fix things that aren't mine to change. Quit using people, places and things to make me feel better.
Grateful for the Creator's blessings and creation.

[BW1]

I am grateful for ALL my prayer warriors that I can call on and rely upon when a need arises

[MajestyJo]

Grateful that I could stay on the site and get some posting done.
Grateful that each day is a new beginning, and I can come back when it is good for me.
Grateful that my meditation said to take care of my body. I was told a health mind makes for a healthy body. My mind had a few gaps lately.
Grateful for all of you who share this journey with me.

[MajestyJo]

Grateful that I woke up to another day to practice my program.
Grateful that even though I am long overdue expressing it here, it is a daily thing that is important to me. Making a list and checking it twice.
Grateful that the rain hasn't kept me down, yet it has kept me contained.
Grateful that my pharmacy is downstairs instead of downtown. I can go through a connecting door and not have to go outside.
Grateful for the pharmacist on duty, she is not there on the days I go to pick up my weekly meds. She confirmed it was the latest med that my doctor put me on that was causing the fever, adding to my tremon disorder, losing balance, and other symptoms. I can't get in to see my doctor for two weeks, so I am making the decision to come off of them. She suggested coming off one at a time, but knowing this addict, that doesn't work. If there is withdrawal symptoms so well, my God and I will deal with it.
Grateful that my son came by when his overtime job was cancelled, I was even more grateful when he chose to leave and go visit elsewhere. He was here to make peanut butter and honey, eat the left over stew, and even though he didn't clean up after himself, quiet and peace of mind, makes for more serenity.
Grateful for all of you who share this journey with me.
Gratitude is an action word. Don't just say you have it, show it.

[MajestyJo]

Grateful for a new day, even though the rain came back and the sun is blocked by big black clouds.
Grateful that I have a God who sees me through each day. Have had a few things come up, that needed His courage, strength, and comfort to see me through life's problems.
Grateful that I can let go and let God.
Grateful that I don't have to stay stuck on me, and can go and focus on others and life. It is about choosing to live or die. Just for today, I choose not to use.
Grateful that I listened to the inner voice and went downtown yesterday to go to the library, bank, and the grocery store.
Grateful that I have a TV, I have been watching curling, tennis, and some new programs other than my regulars.
Grateful that I have eyes to see (all of the 20+) the books I have to read.
Grateful for my hearing, not only to listen physically, but to hear my God when He speaks instead of my listening to my internal chatter which can close Him out.
Grateful for all of you. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

[MajestyJo]

When I came into recovery I was very fragment, broken and with no idea of who I was, with now sense of self and wholeness.

Thanks to recovery and the Fellowship of the Spirit, I was able to find myself reflected in the people around me, and I was able to piece together the broken spirit, mind and body. Some showed me a side I didn't like and need to change, some showed me a side I wasn't aware I possessed, while others gave me a goal to work toward.

I love this picture because it depicts the fact that I can become all things through God. I am made whole through Him, and with Him all things are possible.

I am only limited by my own narrow-mindedness and my inability to open my eyes to new concepts and ideas.

Hope you check it out. It is a long-time dream which has finally come true. As I learn, I hope to enhance it, but for the moment, the basics are there.

This was written in 2004, one of my sites that didn't get deleted, called Harmony and Peace

So grateful that I have the opportunity to share my journey with you.

http://www.harmonyandpeace.i8.com/