Good morning MIP family.  I love today's reading....it's about unconditional love, gratitude and letting go of fantasy/fairy tale thinking.

The reminder:  If I can't recognize the love that already exists in my life, would I really appreciate receiving more?  Let me acknowledge what has already been given to me.

The quote is from Meister Eckhart:  "If the only prayer you said in your whole lie was, 'thank you,' that would suffice.

The writer of today's page suggests that he/she was looking long and hard for the special somebody that would understand every mood, always have time for them, and always bring a smile to their face.  Searching long and hard and anticipating that when they appeared, the love they deserved would arrive.  Waiting, wondering, and lonely was the current state of affairs.

An Al-Anon member used the word gratitude, which helped shatter the fairy tale thinking, and change things.  The writer considered all that was here/now to be grateful for which opened a new perspective for the present.  The writer recognized love was all around from friends, family, others including their A and they had been pushing it aside for that one imaginary person as well as not noticing it at all in the here/now.

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As I consider my journey, I can see me in much of this reading.  I was always seeking/searching for that 'perfect' relationship, friendship, etc. and was left disappointed often.  I can certainly say that I attempted to be a glass half full person, yet in reality, I was a glass half empty person...

When I really embraced recovery, practiced unconditional acceptance and began the journey of self-examination/discovery, my patterns emerged.  With the tools we are given, and the practice of gratitude, my attitude and outlook about life and love have changed greatly.  Today, I can love another exactly as they are even if/when I don't like their choices, words, behavior, etc.  I no longer feel the need to control/change others to fit my 'ideal person' - instead, I find joy in different opinions, perspectives, ways of life.  

My needs are simple, and are met.  My wants are much more complicated, and I feel gratitude if some come my way.  I have unconditional trust in my HP to lead me where I am supposed to be vs. where I want to be.  I am grateful too that I can practice these tools and principles beyond AA, Al-Anon/recovery.  When I use them in all my affairs, I have way less conflict in my thinking!  

I still, upon awakening, choose to focus on gratitude first - before my feet even hit the floor.  In spite of experiencing great sorrow and sadness as a result of RL events, I can still find so much to be grateful for.  

I am off to golf again today....it's so lovely to find decent weather days in December to get outside and play!  My little people are coming over or a play late later!  Make it a great day MIP family - find and keep your joy!