You have probably heard that old saying, "Have and attitude of gratitude" but you may not realize just how essential gratitude is in recovery from any type of addiction. Gratitude is more than just saying thank you or sending a nice email when someone has helped you out. Gratitude is a way of removing all the hostile, bitter and negative thoughts about people, life circumstances and life events from the mind and looking instead to the things in life that you appreciate.
I am not just saying this as a trite comment; it is a change that I experienced for myself that was profound. In my book "The Law of Sobriety" I talk about my journey in learning how to become grateful for the things in life that were important to me. They aren't the tangible "things" you may imagine and for me they included peace, a sense of grace and a serenity that allowed me to truly release the negative thoughts that were holding me back. Some of the techniques that I find useful in developing gratitude and appreciate for the gifts in my life include:
- Write down all the things in your life for which you are grateful. Keep this list with you and add to it as something brings pleasure into your life.
- Make sure that you reach out to others to express your gratitude in a meaningful way. Be specific and authentic in these messages.
- Get up in the morning and review all the things in your life for which you are grateful. If you pray include that in your prayer or, if you don't, review the list and dwell on the blessing that these people or events have brought to your life.
- Look for things in the world around you that bring you pleasure. A beautiful sunrise, a sweetly singing songbird, a pet that provides you unconditional love. Notice these things and record them, take time to reach out to nature and the world around you for this inspiration.
What I found and what you will find is that developing a sense of gratitude brings even more things to be grateful for into your life. It is the basis of the Law of Attraction; what I value and dwell on will be found in abundance in my life if I just open my heart, mind and eyes to see.
Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life& Recovery Coach is featured Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the authorof “The Law of Sobriety” which uses the law of attraction to recover from any addiction. Please download yourcopy of “Manifest Holistic Health” from Sherry’s Enrich Your Life Series. Contact Sherry at http://www.sgabatherapy.com/ServicesProvided.en.html for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements.
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