Ok you did it. Drugs and alcohol ruled your life and it seemed like that world would never end, but it did and now you’re sober. A congratulations is in order as well as a pat on the back and a “good job”, but now it’s time to make an impact on the world. Make an impact on the world you once viewed as hopeless, being grateful is more than just being happy with life. Being grateful involves a lot of different things.

Don’t ever forget where you were and what hell you escaped to get to this point. Many of us were homeless and hopeless, we had a path of destruction left behind us. Some of us went to jail, some of us went to prison, some of us overdosed and some of us have not. We all we’re dancing with death but we all survived. That’s something to rejoice about and should help motivate you every day to continue to improve yourself.

Being grateful should hopefully motivate you to freely help others. This shouldn’t just include other addicts and alcoholics. Of course you should want to help those still struggling, your insight and experience can really help change that person’s life. You are an extreme story of hope that should be viewed as such, and hopefully your success will help motivate others to change.

Your helping hand should reach out to others around you. Try to give back to your community as much as you can. Don’t forget just a few months ago some of us were stealing from our local stores and being a huge negative impact on society. It’s always good to give back to your area, it will help you feel better about yourself and will also help improve the community around you. Small acts can really improve the lives of those around you.

Try volunteering at a local soup kitchen, or offer to do free clean up at a park or on the sides of roads. This isn’t about getting praised for your actions its about being a better person. Being grateful should motivate you enough to make these changes.

In a study done by researchers from Harvard, Northeastern University, and the University of California-Riverside found participants who practiced gratitude were more patient than their less grateful counterparts.

“In that study, which appears in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, participants were given the opportunity to receive immediate cash or wait for a larger check that would be mailed later. Prior to making their selection, participants were randomly assigned to write about an event that made them grateful, happy, or neutral.

Those who recalled feeling grateful showed more willpower and opted for the larger check. The findings suggest a connection between gratitude and long-term thinking, which may assist in helping people quit smoking, lose weight, and spend money responsibly.”

Not only will being grateful make you a better person but it will improve the lives of those around you.

If you or a loved one are currently struggling call Recovery Society for help today 1-866-527-5252