Al-Anon Family Group

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Surprises and gratitude


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 7576
Date:
Surprises and gratitude


I awakened today grateful for a host of things.  I made sure to identify them for myself and some with my sponsor.  After running a few errands and doing some things I needed to do around my home, I went outside to sit in the sun - aware that I'm probably catching a cold and it wouldn't hurt to place my body in direct sunlight for a bit. 

I came back in a few minutes later and saw a silver head bent down in my front yard in front of my plate glass window.  I moved closer to investigate and there was my neighbor trying to poke a plastic stake in the ground and a solar powered light as a surprise for me.  She had seen me in my backyard and thought the coast was clear to bring me her surprise.  I'd had four lights stolen from my yard a few weeks ago; she wanted to replace them with a light from her own yard without my knowing who did it.  I guess our HP had others plans for us both?

I wonder if this surprise would have felt as good to me if I hadn't started my day in gratitude?  Would I have been as touched by her 80 year old body trying to push a stake into the hard, hard ground before I "caught her?"  Would I have seen her good heart (she can run hot and cold, too) if my own mind was clouded by resentments or worries or wishing for what I can't have?  I don't know and yet I do know.  I can miss the surprises and the goodness in life, in myself, in my neighbors if I'm not grateful for my life as it is and for the people in it.  That doesn't mean I have to blind myself to the shadow parts of life, or me or my neighbors.  It does mean that if I can accept the gift of life and what a day contains for me with an attitude of gratitude, I'm more open to the surprises and the kindnesses of others - both those seen and unseen.

Have any others reading this share been surprised by something positive today that caught your eye, touched your heart, inspired you or got your gratitude juices going?  If so, will you share it with us?



-- Edited by grateful2be on Saturday 20th of September 2014 02:01:47 PM



-- Edited by grateful2be on Saturday 20th of September 2014 02:13:52 PM

__________________

"Darkness is full of possibility." Leunig



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1661
Date:

Well, to start with, I am so grateful that I am part MIP especially today because of all the wonderful conversation that I am able to take part in, that is the most positive gift of my day today. It is so wonderful to have my daughter and two cats come looking for me throughout the day, makes me stop what I am doing and focus on some loving interaction rather than doing mundane housework and I had a groundhog come visit with me early this morning while I was having my coffee on the porch, just love nature!!  smile



__________________

 "Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it

does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown

Debbie



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 2200
Date:

What a sweet gesture for a sweet lady Grateful, I like your story very much indeed.

It is evening here, and I will be off to bed as soon as Dog comes back from visiting the neighbours, so a perfect time to review my day and then take gratitude to bed with me.

I had a lovely surprise from the get go this morning since we had been due to collect some wood from the forrest that was cut for fuel earlier this year. Anyway, when I opened my eyes this morning the rain was pounding on the windows and thunder was rumbling down the valley and I knew straightaway that our friend with his tractor would not be coming today. Yipppeee, a slow leisurely breakfast in bed instead!



__________________


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 5663
Date:

I got to go to my home group AA meeting today. It was a grapevine meeting. This means they were reading out of the grapevine which is AA's monthly magazine filled with recovery stories. This month's  topic was starting recovery late in life. An 82 year old woman I have come to really respect started the reading and the sharing. Of course she got sober at 71 and now has 11 years. That was followed by many other shares that were profound as well. It was a whole testament to keep trying and that you are never too old to begin again. I get these lessons for free just by going to meetings. I am grateful for that.



-- Edited by pinkchip on Saturday 20th of September 2014 03:28:40 PM

__________________


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 17196
Date:

Hi Catherine lovely share . Thank you. As I attended a program friend's shower and then Liam's new movie, I was touched with grtitude that I could still appreciate the joy of planning a wedding and the strength of a good looking man :)

__________________
Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 7576
Date:

hotrod wrote:

Hi Catherine lovely share . Thank you. As I attended a program friend's shower and then Liam's new movie, I was touched with grtitude that I could still appreciate the joy of planning a wedding and the strength of a good looking man :)


biggrinLol!  There are wonders and beauties still to behold in our little corners of the world. 



__________________

"Darkness is full of possibility." Leunig



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1133
Date:

Grateful 

Thank you for that share.  Mark--yours especially hit home as well.  Yesterday evening I was talking to my neighbor about needing to cut back two hedges near my house (they're huge and a lot of work and I don't have the tools).  I came outside this morning at 9am and she had done them for me as a surprise.  She can also run hot and cold as you say Grateful so...it was especially nice to receive that surprise.

I am grateful you started this thread!!

Mary



__________________


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 7576
Date:

Debb, Milkwood, Pinkchip - Your shares added to my gratitude list for this evening. I was supposed to go to my grandson's first marching band competition tonight and ended up unable to go because of a flare up of my "stuff." I was very disappointed as I've been looking forward to this for weeks. Your shares cheered me right up. Thank you.

__________________

"Darkness is full of possibility." Leunig



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 3026
Date:



So nice to read your share and the nice thing your neighbor was doing for you....so sweet. I can be grateful my SO went out at night and made sure the PSI in my tires were right while I was asleep and was a surprise to me he did it.

((( hugs )))


__________________

 Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth

Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.

 


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 7576
Date:

Now, that is a good thing for your friend to read. How sweet he was to do that for you because he wanted to do and was concerned about you. Wow!

__________________

"Darkness is full of possibility." Leunig



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1661
Date:

Grateful2b thanks for starting this thread, it is such a wonderful idea to remind ourselves to look on the brighter side of our daily life and not always dwell on the negatives!! I am a believer that even the negative has a positive impact on my life, meaning the negatives have a lesson to be learned from them, and I would rather learn the lesson the first time (if possible!!) rather than end up missing the boat and reliving the pain! {{HUGS}}

__________________

 "Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it

does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown

Debbie



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 531
Date:

Grateful, I could picture the little old lady doing her best to get that solar light in the ground. I am so glad you shared that. With so much nastiness in the world today, it is such a breathe of fresh air to hear someone doing something good for someone else. She sounds like an awesome lady.

What a wonderful positive share. smile

I loved it!!

 



__________________

Look for the rainbow after the storm, and I'm sending you a double dose of HOPE. H-hold  O-on  P-pain E-ends

Linda-



~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 7576
Date:

smile



__________________

"Darkness is full of possibility." Leunig

PP


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 3964
Date:

How sweet that you saw her heart and her desire to be an anonymous giver to you.

After a day that began with some upsetting news and working a very hard day at an estate sale, I came home to my place of respite.  I am grateful I have this place of respite.  And to add to my comfort, there was a thunderstorm.  I love summer storms.



__________________

Paula

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.