“I try hard to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.” – Bill Wilson

I believe that being a person in Recovery, I am fortunate in the constant reminder of the need to be grateful, and how important gratitude is to our whole society. I am truly grateful for the sobriety that I have been given and I’m glad I can give back what has been given to me freely. I am grateful not only for sobriety, but also the quality of life my sobriety has brought. God has been gracious enough to give me sober days and a life blessed with peace and contentment, the ability to give and receive love, and the opportunity to serve others. For all of this, I have a full and thankful heart.

One exercise that can be practiced is to write a full inventory of my blessings. What did I have to be grateful for today? Most of these blessings I am not responsible for. I include health, family, money, friends, and a sober life. When I remember my gratitude list, it’s very hard to have a bad day. “Why me Lord?” has turned into “Why not me?” But for the Grace of God go I.

One day at a time.

-Candace