GRATITUDE MONTH: DAY 30: “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ― Eckhart Tolle
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” ― Meister Eckhart
I could not decide on which quote to use this morning. Both spoke to me. I am sad to be at the end of Gratitude Month. BUT, this was how I started doing this each day a couple of years ago. While gratitude is the spiritual concept that I believe is the foundation of my recovery, I enjoy doing this every day. For me, it is a better practice than sitting in a meeting, because I am focused and spend time with these principals. That does not always happen in a meeting.
If gratitude brings abundance into my life, then my prayer would be to always say thank you and it is the cycle of the Universe, or so I believe.
In my recovery, that has been the absolute way things have been accomplished. I feel grateful for what IS, and I express it; and then I am focused on how much it grows!
Yesterday, I did a lot of driving. I have a new stereo and Bluetooth in my car, so I love that. And I drove with mindfulness of the people around me. As much as possible, I would thank each car next to me for driving in their lane. Then I thanked cars in front of me for letting me drive at my desired speed. (And, subsequently, thanked all CHP for staying off the highway when I was on it!)
Then I drove on a canyon road for 21 miles into a city I was visiting and thanked every car coming toward me for staying in their lane. It was a busy and mindful drive. I hardly had time to sing. Those of you who know me are aware of my penchant for singing when I drive, especially if I am in the car for a long time.
I love driving! And I love that I have been able to get my car to the place where it runs well and feels safe and is in better repair than it was 6 months ago. And, of course, the new stereo…woohoo! What gifts these are!
And I got home in record time! I do this drive frequently, and made my best time EVER on the way home. How cool is that? I met new friends, went into prison, hung out with a lady I adore, then hung out with a bunch of fun people I adore and went to a meeting…what a great day!
Very ordinary, right? Yeah, but I bring the love. And I got it by doing this. Reminding myself that it is a gift when every car stays in their lane, when we drive with courtesy and mindfulness and respect of one-another. When we can love and appreciate each person we encounter. Life is amazing and fun and beautiful! And what surprises me most of all is that I got here on a suicide attempt. None of this was true when I came here. Today is so special because I remember that.
Well, we are moving out of Gratitude and into Love…see you there!
Dolphin Hug 