How does recognizing and expressing gratitude change your outlook on life?

Welcome to episode 226 of the recovery show. This episode is brought to you by Lucy. She used the donation button on our website. Thank you Lucy for your

generous contribution. This episode is for you. We are friends and family members

of alcoholics and addicts who have found a path to serenity and happiness.

We who live or have lived with a seemingly hopeless problem of addiction

understand as perhaps a few others can. So much depends on our own attitudes

and we believe that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Before we begin we would believe that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Before we begin, we would like to state that though we at the recovery show may be in a 12-step

program we represent ourselves rather than the program.

During this show, we will share our own experiences. The opinions expressed here are

strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you like and leave the

rest. My name is Spencer and I will be reading other people's contributions today.

And speaking of reading, let's start with a reading from the book Courage to Change for

September 20th.

Trying to follow a suggestion I heard in Al-Anon meetings, I dutifully wrote lists of things for which I was grateful.

I listed such things as my health, my job, and food on my table.

When I was finished, I didn't feel very grateful. My mind was still weighed down with the negative thinking that had resulted from living with alcoholism, but I had made a gesture and the seed of gratitude was planted.

I gradually learned to appreciate the small accomplishments of my daily life.

Perhaps I was able to avoid a pointless argument by reciting the serenity prayer,

or my sharing helped a newcomer, or finished something I'd been neglecting. I was beginning to change.

I made a point of recognizing small changes and myself esteem grew. The daily application of

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