“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” – William Blake
It does not escape me, and it seems not all that long ago, I was looking in my rearview mirror constantly… not just when I drove my car—afraid I’d be pulled over with a quantity of drugs on me worthy of a stiff jail sentence—but also in my relationship (not wanting her to find out just how far my addiction had progressed), my work (seeking to avoid getting caught impaired on the job) and in my interactions with family members and friends (doing my utmost to ignore how my drinking and using had actually taken up the time, attention and care I’d previously devoted to them).
I suppose this introduction may seem a bit unorthodox, but to pave the way for expressing my sincere gratitude for what recovery has done for me—given Thanksgiving is just around the corner—I chose to look thoughtfully at just how far I’ve come since I “hit bottom,” reached out for help, and chose to stay as open-minded and willing to following suggestions as I could.
Yes, that hellish existence that brought me to my knees and into recovery may have occurred many years ago, but in my heart I can still feel and remember all the horrific consequences I brought down on myself and those I loved and cared about. And to not be walking in those shoes anymore, to instead have the kind of life I enjoy today, well, it can only usher in deep gratitude and thanks—impossible to really capture in words—for the transformation that’s radically affected every dimension of my life. And since it’s been my recovery experience that has done this for me, I’m specifically grateful for how it’s affected my mind, body, heart and soul:
MIND
Today, I’m so thankful to have clear thoughts, beliefs and ideas about who I am and where I fit into the scheme of life. I’m able to view myself as part of a greater whole (my community and society at large)—not better or worse than others—capable of making a uniquely valuable contribution, each day, to the world we all share. I deeply value having had the power of discernment restored, so I can make choices based on both reasoning and my intuition.
BODY
Today, I’m so thankful to have the level of health I experience. No longer a slave to ravenous cravings, I’m free to develop and practice healthy eating, sleeping and exercise regimens that nurture me and enable me to feel good most days.
HEART
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SOUL
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