***Natural Highs*** Hi everyone! I have been doing extremely well here recently. Since I stopped fighting and completely surrendered my life to my higher power (mine, GOD!) as well as, the program (AA) an amazing peace has came over me. Life has became so meaningful in such a short amount of time. I feel so much gratitude towards all of you here at SR, all of my friends in AA, and mostly to God for this revelation that has occured. The delusion that I am like other people has been smashed and I have fully conceded to my innermost self that I am completely powerless over any mind-altering substance, which I feel in heart has opened the doors for me to recover. My sponser and I have been talking everyday and I have started writing on my first step. Things are looking up but I keep reminding myself that everyday is not going to be easy and feel this good. My mom sent me an e-mail today that I wanted to share with all you lovely people . It's titled Natural Highs: 1. Falling in love 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts 3. A hot shower 4. No lines in the super market 5. A special glance 6. Getting mail 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside (my fav.) 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer 11. Chocolate milkshake 12. A bubble bath 13. Giggling. ( i am right now) 14. A good conversation 15. The beach 16. Finding a twenty dollar bill in your coat from last winter 17. laughing at yourself 18. Midnight phone calls the last for hours 19. Running through sprinklers 20. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all 21. Having someone tell you that your beautiful 22. Laughing at an inside joke 23. Friends!!!!! (thats a new one) 24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you 25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep 26. Your first kiss (either the first or with a new partner) 27. Making friends or spending time with old ones 28. Playing with a new puppy 29. Having someone play with yur hair 30. Sweet dreams 31. Hot chocolate 32. Road trips with friends 33. Swinging on swings 34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger 35. Making chocolate chip cookies 36. Holding hands with someone you care about 37. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change 38. Watching the expression on someones face when they open a much desired present from you 39. Watching the sunrise (after sleeping.. lol) 40. Getting out of bed in the morning and being grateful for another beautiful day (that's how I have been feeling- its wonderful) 41. Knowing that somebody misses you 42. Getting hugs from people that you care deeply about! I hoped you all liked those, I know I do. I have deprived myself of the simple, beautiful things in life, such as these that mean something. I don't know about ya'll but I am ready to start living again. Sending my love and prayers to each and every one of you. With lots of love, Susan |
Originally Posted by susan_17 Things are looking up but I keep reminding myself that everyday is not going to be easy and feel this good. What a wonderful list. Such a list should be printed in the back of our minds and read daily. Had a preacher tell me I should journal for something to look at and remember the good times with. He said it will come in handy for those times when you don't feel God near and filling you with joy. My reply... No need to journal because I am trusting that God will always bring me smiles. With your post He did it again today. Thank you for sharing We can still find a smile even in the valleys of life. Enjoy the highs |
Nice list Susan! For me, I would add to it: - hiking - helping others - listening to music |
Thanks, listening to music is definitely one of mine too! Does anyone else have anything to add???? Love ya, Susan |
Great list. Don't forget petting your dog/cat :wink3: |
First let me just say thank you for that Susan, What a wonderful reminder of all that there is in this world to enjoy. I have a few to add, A childs voice singing Feeling the warm sun on your face Wiggling your toes in a cold stream And my favorite, an "I love you mom" from your kids :) Thank you for making me see this tonight on what is a tough night for me. ;) You are such an inspiration Susan. |
Originally Posted by liveat5 Don't forget petting your dog/cat Can I add a ferret to the list?? |
Spending time with loved ones, watching the sunset on the ocean, fresh cut grass in the spring, Easter flowers, talkin on the phone with my grand daughter:) driving with the top down with a full moon over head, meeting everyone on here from all over the world, watching sappy old movies, perfumes, candles, heavenly hash sundae, sailing with a NW15 mile and hour wind. driving the Road to Hana in Maui. going up the Puget sound to Vancouver, helicopter rides after dark over the strip in Vegas, jeep safari in the mountains of the DR. going to weddings, watching people pick up chips at an AA meeting, puppies and kittens Christmas lights, little kids dressed up for Halloween. a good haircut baseball in the spring FIGHTING ILLINI BASKET BALL in the winter, talking to God. |
Originally Posted by retribution And my favorite, an "I love you mom" from your kids :) Thank you for making me see this tonight on what is a tough night for me. ;) You are such an inspiration Susan. |
O' I want to add one.... standing outside on a moonlight night gazing at the fresh fallen snow glisten. Reminder I'm from FL, hehehe |
ohh that reminds me there Susie Q. walking along the beach and watching the full moon dance off the ocean:) got to have some Parrot head music in the back ground:) |
Mmmm... how about: getting a back rub receiving a card or a letter in the mail staring at the ocean for hours taking a nap hugging a tree wearing that perfect black dress walking barefoot in the sand and having someone to cuddle with on the couch while watching a movie Great reminders of so much to be grateful for, Susan. :hug: jojo |
how about para sailing on the Gulf of Mexico on a clear morning? |
I had these three yesterday: 1. Seeing a bluebird in your backyard. 2. Baking a near perfect loaf of bread. :bananadan 3. Eating chocolate ice cream under a blanket while watching movies. |
I love this post! Here's mine: The smell of old books and when you find something written in them like: To Emily Christmas 1886. |
Wow, Susan, what a great list! I also like listening to good music. Reading a really good novel or losing myself in a used bookstore for a couple hours -- those are two big highs for me! |
Thinking of someone and they call you |
Wrapping up under warm blankets or curling up by the fire on a cold night. I love this list!! |
Waking up to the serenade of the winter blackbirds. |
First Robin Of The Spring. Watching The Grand Daughter Blowing Dandelion Seeds |
Ohhhh, what a wonderful thread! I'll add: Sitting in a cozy chair in a south-facing window on a sunny-but-cold winter day, with a purring cat on your lap, peaceful music in the background, and a lilac-scented candle burning. Ahhh, the peace! |
I live in a town that sets overlooking a river valley and this time of year you can Watch the sunset slowly in the west and the sun shining on all the pretty trees with fall colors All the beautiful mums in all the yards takes my breath away as well |
I am sitting here listening to the rain gently fall against the window. So peaceful. |
FRESHLY SHAVED HEAD BIKING AS FAST AS YOU CAN ON A HOT NIGHT BURNING THE HECK OUT OF YOUR MOUTH WITH SOMETHING HOT. LIKE AN BRANDING IRON. A long afternoons nap after telling the nieghbor kids to get off your porch 20 times. I love town houses |
Doing martial arts, the more relaxing variety, like Tai Chi. |
Snuggling into freshly washed sheets... Waking up to smell of coffee brewing... Quitely drinking a perfect cup of coffee and reading the paper before the rest of the house wakes up... Reading a great book while lying in a hammok, with a gentle breeze and the sounds of water nearby.... And last, but not least....finally getting to pee when you've been holding it for the last few hours...maybe silly, but true! |
jumping in a hot tub full of lavender scented bubbles and soaking til the hot water runs out.... the smell of fall in the air - there's no other smell like it... the beautiful fall colored leaves against a crystal blue sky... the smell of wood burning in a fireplace or fire pit... the smell of toasted marshmallows over an open fire.... |
Thanks susan! I can so relate to the laughing, giggling, smiling, been quite awhile since I had done that.. and it was truly a surprise the first time I laughed out loud sober. |
This is a good re-read. Where ever Susan is...I hope she's safe and doing well (...) 1. A perfectly constructed oboe reed 2. A melody that seems to strike at the very core of your soul 3. An echo-y old cathedral 4. Freshly Pledged wood 5. Anything scented with Warm Vanilla 6. The crack and pop of knots on logs in a fireplace 7. Sparklers 8. Really awesome hair days 9. Hot Fudge drizzled over Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream 10. Bono's jaw-line (don't ask...) Thanks Chy for the remider too of laughing out loud the first time I was getting sober. It was such a foreign thing I almost forgot how and it surprised me as well! Danielle |
Talking and laughing with an old friend. |
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