With Thanksgiving a few days away,it can bring up many different feelings. For some, Thanksgiving will bring out a sense of gratitude. For others,it may instill a bit of fear to spend the holiday sober.
Fortunately for those who are having some fear creep up on them, there are fellowships throughout the world that are ready to support you. Whether it be your first, or twentieth holiday season that you will spend sober, many of us may have difficulty throughout this time of the year.
Viewing the television, listening to the radio, or watching holiday based movies there is sometimes a sense of nostalgia. It is almost forced when there is so much exposure associating alcohol and the holidays. The brain go’s straight to laughing, singing, and having a great time.
What it seems to leave out is the part when the dish of cranberry sauce was launched from my hand and aimed towards my mom for “insulting my choice of apparel”.Then waking up to the day after a memorable…but not so pleasant holiday that featured yours truly acting completely insane. It is through the fellowship, a great support group, and a constant contact with a Higher Power that those in recovery are able to see through what we may want to see, and focus on the beautiful miracle that is being lived out each and every day we are sober.
So, for this upcoming holiday…if necessary take a hold of that fear, for it is a healthy fear. One that was placed in you as a gift to remind you of where you came from and where you are now. One that when drinking or using was unable to be felt. Fortunately today the numbness has subsided, and the presence of true raw emotion has came back to help guide you.
Not a day should go by that gratitude is not a priority. Thanksgiving , is a special opportunity to give the thanks to family, friends, and all of those we love. Giving those in our heart a sober you is a gift that holds a value above anything else. Show the thanks, and appreciation you have for what is in your life today. There is not a better feeling then knowing you are appreciated and loved. You hold the gift of letting someone know that they are truly appreciated in your life.
Everyone have a beautiful and safe Thanksgiving!
If you need to locate meetings here is a link that provides meetings in areas of Arizona.
Women In New Recovery 