Chapter 1: The Gift of Gratitude

Recently, I was reminded of the many things I have to appreciate in my life. Since joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and fully committing to the Program, I have gained the ability to make choices. Reflecting on my past, I realize that prior to the Program, I felt trapped, unaware that a better path existed—one of sobriety.

Sobriety encompasses much more than simply abstaining from alcohol or drugs. While refraining from that initial drink is a crucial step, true sobriety brings a profound sense of happiness, joy, and freedom to my everyday existence, a feeling I have embraced since entering this incredible program.

In my early days in the Program, I frequently heard the reading of “How it Works” at almost every AA meeting I attended. One particular line struck me deeply from the very first time I heard it: "If you desire what we have and are willing to go to any lengths to achieve it, the COD." (Come On Down).

I longed for the fulfillment I observed in other AA members. I was determined and ready to go to any lengths to attain it, no matter what that entailed.

Growing up, it felt like every step I took came with a price. If I told Recob I had a dime, he’d demand a dime for me to come down off my porch. If I mentioned a nickel, he'd take that too. Yet, I would slyly save a nickel to buy an ice cream cone, only to face consequences when I returned home.

My mother never grasped why I felt a sense of relief upon hearing of Recob's fatal motorcycle accident. Fear had always haunted me, and I discovered that alcohol could temporarily dull those anxious feelings. Thus, I immersed myself in drinking, often blacking out, not for the taste, but for the escape.

Throughout my life, I surrounded myself with various types of friends—some like me, and others destined for prison. After serving in the Army, my first job was as a bouncer in a rough establishment in Muskegon, while I also worked in a foundry during the day. This is where I met my first wife, leading to what felt more like a 16-year divorce process than a marriage. Despite it all, I have always found common ground with almost anyone I met.

The recent reminder of my journey occurred while volunteering at the St. Andrews Soup Kitchen on Flint's East Side. I learned of the loss of another regular patron—someone who lived a life far removed from societal norms. A woman who engaged in street prostitution, she was a drug addict who suffered a brutal retaliation after robbing her dealer. Rumors circulated that one of her accomplices died while the other was gravely injured. Would I have invited her to dinner? Probably not, but she was still someone's loved one.

Such stories are all too familiar at the Soup Kitchen. Each time I hear them, my first thought is a prayer of gratitude: "Thank you, God, for guiding me to Alcoholics Anonymous and keeping me on this path. There, but for Your grace, go I!" A fellow attendee once remarked that I exude intensity, and I accept that. However, I learned long ago not to take myself too seriously, though I approach my AA Program with utmost seriousness because of the belief that "There but for the grace of God go I!"

Embrace life without fear. Celebrate the fact that you can genuinely live and savor each moment. If today you chose not to drink or use drugs, you now possess choices—perhaps for the first time. Will you opt for misery, or will you choose to be Happy, Joyous, and Free? When you practice gratitude, what will your choice be? The decision lies with you alone. Choose wisely! Thank you, God!

The first video, The Transformative Power of Gratitude | Eckhart Tolle (Meditation), explores how gratitude can profoundly change our lives, leading us towards deeper spiritual fulfillment and emotional well-being.

Chapter 2: Creativity and Gratitude

The second video, Gratitude and Creativity, delves into the connection between gratitude and creative expression, revealing how a grateful mindset can enhance our innovative capacities and overall happiness.