I have been in a position to see, regularly, many reasons to have gratitude. Zombie meth addicts bitching about the alcoholics. Alcoholics complaining about the addicts. Bi-polar people complaining about the alcoholics and addicts. Alcoholics and addicts saying their only problem was that they were Bi-polar. People truly grateful for a bag lunch. It may well be the only meal that they have for the day. Let alone for several days. Another who was grateful that his furnace was fixed with a cheap DIY fix by a friend. Thus, for the first time in 5 years, he had heat. A “zombie” spraying himself with Lysol so that we all would know that he was now clean. And not carrying Covid. And the beat and list goes on!
I knew a long time ago that there but for the grace of God go I. Why? Because my name is Jim, I am an alcoholic. When I was introduced to the AA Program, I had no religious or spiritual background. I had seen many people in my own neighborhood who were alcoholics, addicts, homeless, and generally dysfunctional. The thought that I would maybe become one of them was never far from my mind.
What a breath of fresh air it was to learn in AA that I had been mistaken. My former God was not really that judgmental, punishing, tyrant that I had been taught about. He was a loving, forgiving entity who wanted nothing but the best for me. He started showing me how through the others in the AA program. I was beginning to have gratitude and not even knowing it.
Because of my background, I didn’t even, at first, want to call my Higher Power God. This was because of the way that I had thought of God for so long.
When I came into AA, I was spiritually, emotionally, and physically bankrupt. I saw the positive changes taking place in the people in the meetings. Wanting it so badly, I was willing to go to any lengths to get it, too. So, I was ready to be shown. It is a very simple program. I didn’t say always easy. Simple because very little effort is needed by me. Hard because of the baggage that I was still carrying. I, very easily, could have been one of these people who I see every week. I work in the Soup Kitchen in St Andrews Church on Flint’s notorious impoverished, crime plagued East Side. I am so thankful that I am blessed to not be just that!
Every day is not one filled with laughs and chuckles. But every day is one that I am Happy, Joyous, and Free. For that I have gratitude. Happy because you folks are showing me that this program is very much worth the effort it takes to get and keep. Joyous because I am now on the giving side of the fence. I’m not on the taking taking side and fighting for more. Free from the addiction to any mind altering substances. For all of this I am truly grateful. Grateful for you and all of the others who came before me. And you are willing to share. As the country philosopher and vocalist Travis Tritt sings “It’s a great day to be alive!” I second that emotion.
Today’s question is, do you have gratitude for and are you ready to accept the good that is all of us? If you need a little push to get started, just feel for your pulse. Or breathe into a mirror. If you have signs of life, you are ahead of so many! So, this is a great start!
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