November 10

GRATITUDE MONTH: DAY 10: “Grateful people are happy people. The more things you are grateful for, the happier you will be.” ― Roy T. Bennett

The thing I heard in my early years, every morning, in a Scottish accent: “Grateful people are happy people. Them that ain’t, ain’t.” And I had an abiding crush on the man, so I wrote gratitude lists to impress him. Hahaha!

True story. There is some power we all have in the rooms. Most of us are people pleasers when we get here, so a lot of times, newcomers who may be attracted to us in a variety of ways might do the things we talk about to impress or please us.

This is not all bad. Just be careful how we use that information. That man has NEVER known that I did this every day because of him. I have told him about my crush, he had one on me too. But since I was new, I knew his crush was due to the toxicity of who I was in those early days and the story I still carried with me. He was a rescuer, and these things never end well. We decided against it. And he is not in California any longer, so I never see him.

But the habit remained. Why? Because I could see it working. I did so much work in those early years, and a lot of it was to impress and please others, so they would see my little spiritual light shining. Hahaha!

That never really worked, but the things I did worked, and continue to work. It took some time before I realized the trick around here. Get newcomers to do this shit, and they will eventually catch on that their lives are amazing and good, and they are happy. Oh!

I tell everyone that my life is wonderful, and they are dubious at best. No one ever really calls me a liar or anything, but I  see the looks of skepticism. Because they know I am not rich or beautiful or young or in love with anyone. So, what is so great about being me?

Wow! I know. It is all inside. The container may look all wrinkled and old, but it is dynamic and SO powerful! I love it!

And I am happy because I am grateful. I am grateful because I am happy. I have been here long enough now for it all to have worked and it continues to do that. I am not “WELL” by any standard use of the word, but I am SOOOO much better. And I remain happy with that place. As it shifts and changes, I will continue to be happy. It is just like that. What fun it all is. And to that man, I say the same thing all the time. I hope someone does it just to impress me. I probably won’t be impressed, but they can still be happy. Isn’t that lovely?