Gratitude & Hope

What are Gratitude and Hope?

In the darkness of active alcoholism, it is easy to become blinded by what is missing or broken. Gratitude is the spiritual lens that allows us to see what is still beautiful and whole. It is not a denial of our pain, but a refusal to let that pain be the only thing we see. When we practice gratitude, we consciously shift our focus from our problems to our "assets." We begin to notice the small mercies—a supportive phone call, a quiet morning, or the simple fact that we are breathing. This shift in perspective breaks the hypnotic pull of despair and grounds us in the abundance of the present.

Hope is the natural byproduct of this gratitude. It is the quiet confidence that even if the situation doesn't change today, we can still experience a meaningful life. Hope is not "wishful thinking" that the alcoholic will stop drinking; it is the deep-seated belief that we are no longer alone and that a better way of living is possible for us. By documenting our small victories, we build a reservoir of evidence that grace is at work. Gratitude provides the foundation, and hope provides the horizon, leading us out of the isolation of the past and into a future filled with possibility.