AnotherAnais

I mentioned the book 'Simple Abundance' elsewhere, and one of the cores of it is to keep a journal, every evening, of five things you are grateful for that day. I physically wrote things down for years, then sort of internalized the habit. I'm starting this thread as a way of giving back for the information I've received here. I hope others add to it and that the practice enriches their lives as well.

1. Good health
2. Grocery shopping with a friend, giggling and splitting buy one get one free bath gels
3. Spaghetti carbonara and cassis jelly candies
4. The rain sweeping over the river, cooling things off and then going away
5. Monks chanting at a nearby temple, sending some soul to heaven and enriching everyone within earshot

sodetermined

1. My son's laughter
2. My wonderful friends and support system here
3. Buying a new sweater at Wal Mart for $1 (yes, I'm serious)
4. Grilled chicken and a baked potato with sour cream and real butter
5. When my puppy cuddles up to me when he knows I'm sad

Barbara52

Oh how wonderful to be able to hear that nearby! What a blessing to all who listen.

Barbara52

Peace in my home.
Pigging out on vegies for dinner.
A quick conversation with my son off at college.
Watching 2 of my cats play with a piece of string.
A great job I love.

Kindeyes

1. My beautiful dogs who shower me with their unconditional love.
2. My wonderful husband who loves me so very much (and I return that love tenfold).
3. My parents who are 74 and their good health.
4. My children....even though they struggle with their demons...I love them so much.
5. My life......it is as good as I make it.

(Not necessarily in the order as stated above.....just the first five things that came to my mind. The dogs are trying to get my attention right now so they were the first thing that came to mind.....not because I appreciate them more than the things/people who followed!!!)

Thanks for this post. I love to focus on the positive and beautiful things. Monks chanting......wow......that would be sooooo amazing to have within earshot.

minnelson6200

1. My two beautiful kitties who snuggle up with me at night, purring.
2. My wonderful mother who listens with love when I call crying.
3. The beautiful spring sunshine.
4. This wonderful online support group.
5. My co-workers and friends who remind me that there's more to life than what's waiting at home.

lexusgirl

1. My funny and sweet, loving dogs that cuddle up to me when they know I'm down, making me laugh when I am sad.
2. Cruising in my car when it's warm outside, all the windows down and my two dogs hanging their heads out the window, as the radio is blaring.
3. Knowing I am working towards seeing my son very soon.
4. My therapist (shes awesome)
5. My precious guinea pigs that are so sweet and innocent, knowing they are living a better life now that they are safe.

joyfulnoiz

-my faith in a loving God that gets me out of bed every morning
-two wonderful sons; it is a joy to watch them grow
-my supportive and caring family
-a job that i enjoy, working with people i like to be around
-my al-anon friends who have cheered me on as i climb out of the pit

Freedom1990

The opportunity to live another day in recovery today
A higher power who has always been beside me, even though I didn't realize it
My canine and feline companions who are full of unconditional love
A beautiful teenage daughter who works hard and loves me
Seeing the beauty in all the colors around me because life used to be in shades of grey

triniteec

* being able to pay my bills
* being there for my son & daughter-sober
* having a roof over my head
* affording anything I want to eat
* having a higher power that works in my life today!

AnotherAnais

1. A swim on a hot morning
2. Getting my packing done, and finding a long-lost suede skirt
3. A good chat with M
4. Talking to a friend in Seoul
5. Shopping at the night market and having a foot massage with girlfriends

katyk

1. My best friend, Kathy
2. My wonderful job
3. My successes at grad school
4. Sunshine!
5. My health

sketscher

1. all of nature
2. my parents
3. my health
4. America
5. my cats

Growing

belief in a Higher Power...Prayer and Meditation

everything that led up to me "becoming willing" to work a program

the ability to ask only for my HP's Will in my life and the power to carry that out

The 12 Steps

Recovery and all of its gifts

tryingtofly

1. My wonderful pets - Devo (his pic is to the left), Tigger and Meeko
2. The courage everyone here gave me to do something for me, I start clicker training soon and am signing up for a quilting course
3. I finished a sundress for my Europe trip and it fits and looks good!
4. My husband who is working his program everyday
5. My electric blanket that keeps me warm at night even when it's -30 outside!

AnotherAnais

1. Beautiful music
2. Good coffee
3. Contact with loved ones
4. The cool at sunset
5. Having my friends over for soul food, seeing them happy and loved and full of cornbread

minnelson6200

1. Today
2. Tomorrow
3. Going to the movies with a friend
4. Chatting with my sister
5. Having breakfast with my brother

frstnm

Im alive
Im sober
My cat
My friends
Im growing

Angelus

Real friends
R.E.M.
The buffalo wings at the Irish Rogue Restaurant
My resilience
My lack of any food allergies whatsoever

AnotherAnais

1. Help getting local paperwork sorted out
2. A cool(er) clear day
3. My needy little cats
4. Finding my US sim card
5. Locating some missing documents