THANKFUL - FOR WHAT?

Traditionally October is the month of Thanksgiving. A special day is set aside and officially designated as Thanksgiving Day. On the Sunday closest, churches have special services given to community expression of this same thought.

It seems to me that often we are unable to identify those things for which we should be thankful - we seem to be careless with our inventory of blessings.

There is, I think a strong parallel in our attitude towards recovery. Initially there may be a strong sense of relief, even thankfulness at being removed from the anguish and torment of an active addiction There, the feeling may be rendered less than pure by the intrusion of a not-too-realistic sense that we have taken the step in a sense of self-enlightment but that, I think, is human - the feeling is there despite the impurity. But what happens to it?

Are we naturally ungrateful or are we just unaware? Have our defences become so deeply ingrained that we are blind to the very real rewards of sobriety? How else can I explain the somewhat uneasy feeling that sometimes others seem to recognize those things for which I should be grateful more readily than I do?

What about our expectations? Do they reflect a reality or are they distorted - blown up to a point of being unreasonable?

Recovery requires our sincere and constant effort and it is reasonable to expect rewards. But our expectation of reward must fall within reasonable limits. It does not often come in dramatic foot-high headline form but more often in slow, quiet, but nonethelesss significant realization of change - change that can lead to happiness if we but recognize and nurture it.

Then how do we recognize, become truly aware of these changes? Perhaps we need a check-list.

As members of the Donwood Community we have all, in the beginning developed personal health programs. We have outlined goals under headings of physical, social and mental health. What better check than to relate our progress to those stated goals?

Do we pass things off as being of no significance or are we merely unaware of them? Is it unimportant to feel so much better physically or should we recognize it? What about the renewed pleasures to be found in a good game of tennis or golf or just the sense of new physical vigour?

Can we overlook the easily offered acceptance that is shown to us even by those we may have hurt? Are we prepared to see the return of trust and confidence placed in us by loved ones in spite of all that has gone before?

Do we really appreciate the new level of peace of mind that comes from the continuing effort to be honest with ourselves? Do we value the return of self-respect and self-confidence?

We have much to be thankful for, if we can be aware of it. To whom we show our thankfulness and in what manner is a most individual thing.

That we pause to do it is the important thing.

MIKE WILSON

DON SAYS:

Mike was on staff at the Donwood Institute in October of 1975 when he wrote this article. It is great and I would suggest printing it out and pinning on the bathroom mirror where you can see it every morning.