Have you ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? As you neared the end, the big picture was probably in sight. You got to near or at the last piece and looked at the puzzle and felt gratitude knowing that there was only one more thing to do and it would be complete. I feel the same way when I am grateful for an act that someone has done for me. Unless I thank them for it or show some form of my appreciation that I feel, there is a piece missing until I can show my appreciation.
Feeling gratitude is a wonderful feeling and the only way that I know how to feel that there is nothing missing in this particular puzzle of my life is to express it. However I can. As soon as I do, “POOF” the feeling of ‘something missing’ disappears instantly. This amazing program has brought me nothing but good and completeness in all my affairs. The simple act of a ‘thank you’ or a nod or smile is what I have found that gives me the completeness that I strive for in my life.
I have so much to be grateful for, including meeting with you wonderful people. You give me so much more than I could ever have dreamed of and I try to show you my appreciation in return. As long as I keep thinking ‘in the moment,’ all is well. The Program calls it ‘one day at a time’ and puts no limits on how much further to break my day down into, such as minute by minute.
Some times, when things are extra tough, we are stressed while we try to solve the immediate problem. We used to call it ‘white knuckling it.’ When I stay ‘in the moment,’ it is not only simple but easy to do the next right thing. How do I know this? Because, when I am working my program 24/7/365, the next right thing ALWAYS follows! How do I know that it is right? Because I am working my program and this is what leads to the next thing being right. Working my program 24/7/365 simply means saying “Thank you God” for EVERYTHING.
The giving of Thanks does not need to limited to one event or instance, either. EVERYTHING! I many times feel so grateful that I am alive that I simply say “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” All with nothing specific in mind.
This includes giving credit where credit is due. Giving credit does not always need an oral “thank you.” A smile or a nod many times suffice. Think of when a pet does something nice for you. It does not understand the language you use when showing your gratitude. It DOES understand the smile or pat or soft wording that you use. If your pet can understand it, you know that another person will, even if you don’t speak the same language.
When I thank the person who performed the act causing my gratitude, I am thanking God. This is because God is all that there is. All that exists is God. Thank you readers and listeners for blessing me with your presence, making me too blessed to be stressed! God bless you all!
Please let us know what you think. We can be reached at Spiritualityandrecovery@gmail.com or 810-965-6140 usually within hours and many times instantly.
More can be found on our other pages. We have an AA Zoom meeting, blogs, and a podcast. Also our Facebook page. They are updated regularly. We hope that you will join us on these sites. And please comment so that we can share with each other our experiences, strengths, and hopes. The Zoom meeting is every Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM EST. Meeting ID is 6035280704. Password 399778. It is simple to locate the blogs and Facebook pages. Just search @Spiritualityandrecovery. For the podcast, search Spotify.com for Spiritualityandrecovery. On iPhone say “Hey Siri, Play the podcast Spiritualityandrecovery.” Or, “Hey, Google. Play the Jim Boylan podcast.”
