Being Grateful, my list..

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soberseeker Posted: Tue, Sep 22 2009 9:12 AM

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I have just finished training at my new job and i start my new shift tonight. 3:00pm - 11:00pm, I had a four day rest period and i feel great. I got up this morning and watched the sunrise while reflecting on my journey for the past four years. I have Been and seen much during this bountiful trip. I have been homeless for much of it, i my low point is when i woke up on 125th street and lexington ave  N.Y.C.  sleeping under an exhaust vent to keep warm, just typing it causes me to pause and get choked up but this is where drugs have taken me, it will always be a part of who i am and where I've been. Those of us who forget are doomed to repeat, i don't ever want to forget. i have been a member to this site i think a little more than two years now, give or take. Have met some really great people here that know me and some of my back round, even when i was homeless i would check into the public library and check in with the people here on site because that was my only means to the internet, they know who they are, some of them no longer posting, but a few still are going strong.  I have read some pretty disturbing post the last few day's and even started to get drawn in by the negativity, and thats not what this site or recovery is about. Today i think i will start a new chapter here on site, (Graditude).. so here goes.

1. I am grateful to have a bed
2. I am grateful to all the people that have kept me in their prayers
3. I am grateful to the rehabs, detox's, and sober houses that tolerated me and gave me my beginning.
   
4. i am grateful to have the ability to help my mother with her bill's.
   



5. I am grateful to have my car


6. i am grate to have been forgiven
7. I am grateful for the ability to forgive
   


8. I am grateful to have gone shopping for new clothes for the first time in five years and pay for it myself


9. I am grateful to have my two year old nephew as my new best little buddy
10. I am especially grateful to have my new best little buddy look at me with love in his eye's seeing his uncle Michael sober and with love for him in my eye's.
11. I am grateful for the trust given me by my Brother to watch his son and babysit for him.
    
12. I am grateful my brother comes to me again for help around the house.
13. I am grateful for having people answer the phone when i call and the door when i knock.
14.  I am grateful for having my first bank account in 30yrs and with money in it.
    
15. I am grateful to have people leave the room and not bring their purse or jacket with them to the bathroom.
16.  I am grateful to not have contracted HIV, Hep-B, or any other life threatening disease while using.
17. I am grateful not to be in Prison.
18. I am grateful to be alive.
    


19. I am grateful for the ability to sit quietly alone with my GOD


20. I am grateful to have my best friend Ruben back in my life and tell me how much he respects me and what i have done.

 I am grateful to have helped my 80 year old mother detox from Oxycontin.

 But most of all i am grateful for having gone through what i needed to go through to get to the point in my life where i am truly grateful, had i not i would probably still be selfish.

                                                    Michael A, P,

                                               A.k.A    Soberseeker..     

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Clinton7980 replied on Tue, Sep 22 2009 10:03 AM

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Great list of gratitudes, Michael.  You definitely are an inspiration for many.  I am proud to see what you are doing with your life, and I hope to see you use your story to help others.  It doesn't matter how many times we've fallen, only that we got back up!  That is what you are doing.  Live life on life's terms.  Wake up each morning and tell yourself that you are grateful to be sober, and that you will not do drugs or drink today.  Wake up with a "please" and go to bed with a "thank you".  It's that simple, man. 

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paw replied on Tue, Sep 22 2009 12:57 PM

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Michael, what a great list.  What a journey huh?  I too remember where I was many years ago and don't ever want to forget that.  I still have people tell me that they're proud of me and that leaves a wonderful feeling in my heart. 

I'm so glad you got up each time you fell.  It just shows how strong a person you are.  It's been an honor to watch you grow.  Keep spreading the word.  And give Mom an extra hug.....

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soberseeker replied on Tue, Sep 22 2009 11:41 PM

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Thank you both , both of you have helped and encouraged me and for that i am grateful.

                                                             Peace!