Taking5

Can anyone please explain to this AA newbie what the purpose of a gratitude list is? I hear this phrase mentioned at meetings and in literature. Also the famous "grateful recovering alcoholic" tagline bugs me.

I have no idea why I should make a list of what I am grateful for nor how this will help me in recovery. If it is useful trust me I will use it!

Anything anyone can share in this regard is deeply appreciated.

Lbad

Well in my opinion we use gratitude for many things but for me especially in the beginning it was a tool for self pity. Every time I started to think about how bad I had it I would do a gratitude list in my head for all I did have and it would work to cure all that "poor me" crap.
Also, gratitude reminds us of where we have come from.
Anyhow hope this helps a little.
I get to go to work now at the great job I am so grateful for that I never thought I would get. Yea!

Arura

Everyday im grateful that i dont live the life that was once mine...!

Everyday, im grateful i dont have to put a needle in my arm to feel 'normal'

Everyday im grateful i survived, when SO MANY stronger than me are now gone...!

Everyday im grateful im alive,...!

Everyday im grateful...

barb dwyer

Hi -
Keeping a gratitude journal really helps me focus on the positive aspects of this existance ...
When we're drinking or using, life falls apart, sure - but negative focusing on events or problems simply drives us back to our anesthetic of choice.

If we teach ourselves to focus on what is good about life ... there's less pain needing self - medication.
It's a matter of re-training destructive processes ... without lies.