DRINKING ALCOHOL TAUGHT ME HOW TO FLY
THEN IT TOOK AWAY THE SKY

Monday, April 5, 2010

Gratitude List--Yeah!

Blue Birds of Paradise

GRATITUDE: A LIST

Today I am grateful--and try to show it--for:

1.   Friends!

As I grow older, it seems to me that everyone, even Peeps I simply meet by "chance", IS a friend. That determination expands the list of friends unendingly.  Those I find otherwise are SO few, and rather obscure, that mostly I do not even know who they might be.  I am grateful for friends...especially you blogger-type Peeps!

2.   Being SO tired!  When I am this fatigued it means I have been more than busy in the whirlwind of this past Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., and today, Easter Sunday. And it is a Happy, Sober "weariness"...

3.   We do NOT have termites, as we were told by a pest control worker.  Just a bunch of dead ants with wings and some wood dust mixed in.  NO problemo.

4.   My violin is sounding as good as ever!  I got to play at St Ann church...and sing.  I always thought something odd about guys who "sing in choirs", like they think they're "holier than thou" Ha! and LOL!  (I DO love being there, participating--it's like "hanging out with the winners" sort of thing.  Is it rubbing off?

5.  Family.  We seem to be settling into a more comfortable "place", dare I say more loving?  We are being watched over by a couple angels, who have been working overtime.

6.   Motor scooter. The Suzuki Bergman 650 has unknowingly been a dream of mine for many years.  Never dreamed there would one day be a scooter so powerful.  It is named Flex, after one of my angels.

7.   NAPS!  I have learned this past year to take one every day if possible.  Even if they do not extend life.  A little afternoon sleep is Sooooooooo nice!

8.   Sobriety.  Alcoholics Anonymous. The fellowship, the therapy, the healing, the closeness of the Peeps, the tough love, help, trust, and guidance which I have found there.  We are "like survivors from a sunken vessel, in this lifeboat of recovery".  I think that's from the Big Book.

9.   Higher Power, my computer.  Where would I be without it?  For "people of age" it is a marvelous connection with the world, which helps keep the mental processes from stagnation.

10.  The REAL Higher Power, God...who I have noticed IS still in charge of everything.  If I do not get in the way, don't put up a wall of separation, God will take care of showing me what to do, how to do it, and give me the power to do what is right.  Not easy--but simple.

11.  HEALTH which allows me to stay up until midnight or after, writing these things.  As stated in #2...I am tired enough to put my head right on top this keyboard and snooze away.

 

When I slip into bed I will think of two dozen more important/appropriate gratitudes, so mayb another "list" soon.  Meanwhile,  thanks for reading

Blessings.       
                                                                                                                                                                                   


18 comments:

Christine Macdonald said...

Fantastic list. Thank you for the reminder of taking the time to think about what we are grateful for.

Andrew said...

Grateful that I know you.

S. Susan Deborah said...

"The expression of gratitude (through words and deeds) has the affect of heightening our personal experience of gratitude. "

Dear Steve:

How nice to feel grateful and be amazed at the grace that been shown to us.

Joy always,
Susan

Gaia said...

This a wonderful list with that dash of humour. I am even more grateful reading it. :)

Anonymous said...

Naps when you need them are key to healthy living.

dAAve said...

Now that is a nice list!

Anonymous said...

That Suzuki is a beauty!

I had the Honda Big Ruckus, but I traded it in for a Little Ruckus, I can find the same feeling of freedom driving the backroads as I did on the highways...

Thanks for the gratitude list, yes, simpe, but definitely not easy! Grateful that we have crossed paths.

Unknown said...

I think napping should be an Olympic sport! I love your list..puts me in the right frame of mind.

♥namaste peep♥

Syd said...

I could take a nap right now. I too am tired today. But it is a good kind of tired--tired from boating and sun. Great list today.

Banana Girl said...

Love the list, but would suggest a second opinion on the winged-ants. These are swarming termites which appear in the spring....unless of course my termite man years ago who educated me was telling a fib...he wasn't though and the damage was just starting....Hate to rain on the gratitude, but one can never be too careful with these critters....untold damage can come quickly....love ya. J.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the gratitude. Scooter sounds great in the Spring weather! Enjoy!!

Ces Adorio said...

Aaah! Always good to be thankful. I like your list. I know many alcoholics, sober and inebriated ones. I don't drink so it is very painful for me to see them do their drinking thing and then forget about it while I remembered everything. I was always angry and hurt at their actions. I am glad that some of them have sobered up. I was very surprised when I received apologies. Then I understood the process but I asked myself why the hell did I not just walk away and then I realize these people were/ are my friends, and when they were not intoxicated they were the most wonderful human beings on this face of the earth. I guess we all have to slay our own demons.

Oh yes, I often wondered about the men who sang on choirs. Too gay in my opinion, although I wouldn't mind Gilmore and Roger waters singing at church, imagine Pink Floyd singing the "Great Gig In The Sky".

I have my email address on my profile. So exactly what is "of age" according to you?

ilovepink1078 said...

Develop an attitude of gratitude.
Happy Easter!

Dulçe ♥ said...

I see, notice so much LOVE in this list, sweet peep...

Take care!

Nevine Sultan said...

I am always amazed at your feelings of gratitude, Steve... at your extreme ability to be grateful. It's very contagious, because I come here feeling bummed out about something in life, and I leave feeling like I've plenty to be grateful for. Thank you for being such a healthy contagion!

Nevine

The Gratitude Guru said...

John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.


It is easy to think about gratitude all the time, but let people know how you feel. Let people know that you appreciate them. Tell them. Here is an amazing thing that happens. When you tell people that you appreciate them, or give them a compliment, or tell them you are grateful for something they did for you, I promise that you will feel better inside. As an extra added bonus, you will certainly make them feel better as well. It is a win-win situation!

Be Well.
Paul.
www.AllAboutGratitude.com

Margie said...

So much to be grateful for in this wonderful and beautiful life!
I like your list!

Margie :)

Just Be Real said...

Stevie, my dear, appreciate you grats list. Blessings to you and thank you for your continued encouragement to me. Means a lot. :)