Many of you may be already doing a gratitude list each day. Many in your journal, others maybe digitally. Some of you don’t do them yet, and that’s ok. Hopefully though, you’ll be encouraged to do them by this post!

For years I’ve been sending out, and receiving, gratitude lists to many others via text. Their lists encourage and remind me to do my list, and vice versa, while we also get to share some of the most wonderful parts of our lives with each other.

So, without further ado, here’s my list today…

Grateful…

For the life I have today. Sometimes I’m not sure how I got from there to here, but it’s really epic.

Can’t believe I’m living in beautiful Maui, in an incredible home with ocean views, and have an amazing sober, loving tenant that helps me take care of the property.

We get to have both an AA/AlAnon double winners meeting on Sundays and a Life Lover meeting on Thursdays at our property. So rad.

Love my new sponsee. Building close relationships with other men in the pursuit of helping them love their lives and become even better versions of themselves is such an honor.

So blessed to my a family and children who give me love, and allow me to love them, more than I had ever thought possible.

Many of my current sponsees have become my best friends. Men I would trust with my life and family. Men I can count on, who are always there for me, as I am for them. Men I am truly proud of.

My the therapist, who just yesterday took me on a wonder 45 minute meditation, whereby the flow of my breath, in and out, matched the vision in my mind of the ocean flowing over the sand and back out, like the breath of our planet.

Open mindedness. Over the last 10 years or so I’ve noticed an increased willingness of exploration into new ways to expand both my love of life and my connection to source. My contempt prior to investigation is waning, finally.

Consistency and self-discipline in recovery. Because I’ve now identified a direct correlation between the practice of my recovery rituals and the strength of my capacity to love life, I’ve really stepped up my game in this area, and it’s paying off in huge dividends.

My ability to be self-supporting. It doesn’t matter how much money I make, what’s important is that I’m making my best effort to try to financially support myself and those who are financially dependent upon me.

From a lost, struggling alcoholic, druggy kid who was angry at his parents and the world, sleeping in alleys, bus depots, abandoned cars and homes, to the man I am today and the life I’m living. If that’s not a miracle, I’m not sure what is.

ILML!