Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.. Melody Beattie
November: a month of gratitude
As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of what we are thankful for. A loving family, financial stability, health. November is a good reminder to sit and reflect on the past year, celebrate our wins, and start setting goals for the next.
Life can get hectic around the holidays with family gatherings, work parties, and obligations. It is essential to make time to express gratitude. In recovery, the list grows. A supportive community. The gift of sobriety. Stronger relationships. A sense of healing and hope.
Finding sobriety through accountability and gratitude
On Episode 45 of Positive Recovery MD, Dr. Jason Powers and guest co-host Grif Palmer were joined by Tom Nunan, former network and studio president, executive producer of Oscar Best Picture winner Crash, UCLA film professor, and owner of The Writing Intensive.
Tom shared his recovery journey, from growing up with a father who was addicted to alcohol, to becoming addicted himself, to finding freedom in recovery. They also discussed what it means to share gratitude with others and how it increases personal well-being and happiness.
Gratitude always puts me in the right frame of mind. The reason my gratitude list is so successful for me is that it immediately gets me out of my head about anything negative, any obsessive, dark thoughts I might be having, such as fears, and right into not only gratitude for my life today but my gratitude for so many others.
One of the beautiful things about gratitude is that it helps us find peace for today, acceptance of our past, and hope for our future.
Recovery Is Worth Being Grateful For
If you are ready to start, our admissions team is here. Confidential, available 24/7.
Yesterday's acceptance
When we shift our mindset to a thankful one, we can see our past mistakes as lessons we can learn from. Instead of viewing our past in a negative light, we can be thankful for the experience. No matter how hard the obstacles, we can find gratitude in knowing we made it through and we are still here.
You may have faced some of the toughest challenges in life. There may have been a time when everything seemed dark and meaningless. And yet, you are still here. You are stronger than you once were and have gleaned wisdom from those past experiences. When we recognize our power over our past, there is so much to be thankful for.
Today's peace
Gratitude is not a one-and-done thing. It is not something you do once and never again. It can play an active role in our days. Taking time to reflect on the good things creates room for peace. Focus on gratitude first thing while making coffee. Focus on it again while brushing your teeth before bed. The things closest to your heart will be the last thing on your mind before you sleep.
Practicing gratitude, big or small, gifts us the opportunity to hold space for more good. The more we focus on good, the more good happens. Choosing to stay in a thankful mindset creates more things to be grateful for.
Tomorrow's future
Gratitude makes sense of our past and brings peace for today. It also points us toward our future. Future goals, future relationships, our future selves. Gratitude casts a vision because it reminds us that there is always something to be thankful for. We never know what tomorrow will bring. We do know there is always an opportunity for something good.
As you head into the holiday season, take time to reflect on the goodness around you. If you look for good, goodness reveals itself.
In need of care?
If you or a loved one need addiction treatment, call us at 713-904-4699. We have outpatient locations across Texas and a full continuum of care from medical detox through aftercare.
A new life in recovery may just be a phone call away.