gratitude

I've been off-line a while, due to various circumstances: Internet connection down, lack of motivation, being away from home, painting my office/dining room. But for the most part I'm back on-line now and can begin catching up on some of the posts that have been waiting to be written. I'll ease back in with this brief post on gratitude.

Gratitude is a key concept in 12th Step programs. When we are steeped in fear, resentment, and anger (among other potentially dangerous emotions), we can stop and consider all that we are grateful for, ideally writing each down in the form of a list. If we do this regularly, we can often counter the negative thought and behavior patterns which many times lead us to "fix" with our "drug" of choice: alcohol, food, drugs, sex, gambling, spending, controlling, cutting, and the rest. Gratitude is to fear & resentment what compassion is to self-hate. Both act as powerful antidotes which essentially redirect one's perspective from one of lack to one of plenitude.

Gratitude is also, of course, central to Thanksgiving, which we are celebrating this week. In the spirit of the holiday, I have tried to list as many things for which I am grateful in my life. This is some of what I came up with:

• good friends
• my family
• my in-laws
• my good health
• my husband
• date nights
• good movies
• fantasy books
• my car
• my computer
• my cat
• the challenge of remodeling our house
• having a roof over my head
• having the means to clothe and feed myself
• my creativity
• dark chocolate
• quality TV
• art
• Siddha Yoga
• my professional organizing business
• a strong health care team (doctors, therapists)

What are you most grateful for this week?