PDF version – Recovery Plus Nov 2018 – gratitude list
Today, I am privileged to work with people all over the globe, helping them rise to their best selves – but often I forget to take care of myself. So I want to share ways in which I am working to manifest abundance in my life. I want to share a morning meditation which helps focus on manifesting what I want and what I am thankful for. I share it here as a way that you and your clients can carry a similar practice into your life.
Meditations on abundance and gratitude…
Repeat to yourself: May I always believe something wonderful is about to happen.
Growing up in a home full of confusion and tragedy, my natural inclination is to see the world through dark lenses, so I must consciously and vigilantly believe something wonderful will happen – and stay.
Repeat to yourself: May I discover what I want in this next decade of life.
As the 12-Step teaches, act courageously one day at a time. For today I am kind, honest, working a programme, transparent and manifesting abundance for myself and others.
Repeat to yourself: May I manifest and practice gratitude daily by writing down each morning what I am grateful for.
These are just a few things I’m grateful for:
Seeing the Big Dipper
Learning new ways of being
Hearing from friends far and near
My clients, who are my teachers
The benefits of recovery, of sobriety.
Repeat to yourself: May I manifest good health and exercise.
Moving to a new city has switched my daily routine so today I am vigilant in finding new ways to move my body.
Repeat to yourself: May I manifest kindness and gentleness with myself and others.
Be kind to everyone you meet, for everyone is fighting some sort of battle.
Repeat to yourself: May I manifest big ideas – so big that they grow wings.
Concentrate on where I want to go not what I fear. For instance, I want to speak with Oprah. I want to do a TED Talk. I want to climb Machu Picchu and I want to take my husband to Norway. I want to be of service to others. I want to write with purpose.
Repeat to yourself: May I manifest money and work. “I love money, I love work. Work and money love me.”
Other ways you can call on abundance.
Here are some other ways that I call on abundance, saying out loud…
May I watch my grandchildren grow and soar. May I laugh and take them to places near and far, and play with them.
May I laugh, love, work, be of service to others, forgive myself if I have harmed another, and embrace those who are my enemies and those who are my friends.
May I be gentle with my soul, striving to not live in a dark lonely place of “you’re not good enough” – rather, that I am enough. Always.
May my phone ring with work and clients that I can serve. May I train and learn from others.
May I love more and worry less. I want to do the next right thing. I don’t always know what results may come from my actions, but if I do nothing there will be no result.
May I embrace the epic changes that I have made – great opportunities are always worth the risk.
May I have the courage to dig deep, to look inside and out and find grace.
May I be proud of the recovery work I do, the person I am and the difference I make in this world.
May I learn to recognise all the dazzling important things that my eyes cannot see.
May I have the patience and courage to do what is right.
May I find laughter, silliness and play for I am often way too serious.
May I thank ‘outside the box’, thank people who least expect a thank you. Those that might have fired me or turned away. Or thank the grocery clerk, mail person, etc.
May I cultivate deep gratitude for all that life offers me.
May I realise I am resilient. “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you” (African proverb).
May my difficulties only serve to help me discover who I am.
May I find a home for my talents in this world.
May I surround myself with people who help me grow and be a better me.
May I find a world that is kinder than I knew and often on my side.
“May I live the kind of life I imagine for myself – for this is my one time to be me. I want to experience ever good things” (Maya Angelou).
May I show myself deep kindness for the world and, hence, deep kindness for myself.
May I always remember: “Gratitude can transform a common day into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings” (William Arthur Ward).
Louise Stanger Ed.D, LCSW, CDWF, CIP. Dr. Louise is a nationally recognized expert in the mental health and addiction field. She is also an expert in Sudden Death, grief and loss and had the distinction of working with the Widows and Widowers of 911. A Published author, Falling Up-A Memoir of Renewal, Learn to Thrive – An Intervention handbook her articles have appeared in Counselor Magazine, Journal of Alcohol Studies, The Sober World, Huffington Post and Thrive Global to name a few. A popular presenter, she was the 2014 Fan Favorite Speaker at Foundations Recovery Network Moments of Change, (Palm Beach, Florida) the 2016 Joseph L. Galleta Spirit of Recovery honoree ( Hemet, Ca.) , 2017 DB Resources Journalist of the Year (London) and the 2018 Plus Award honoree for the Forgiving For Living Foundation (Los Angeles )
Dr. Louise is a Consultant to many treatment centers , speaks and creates original curriculum at Paradigm San Francisco, Paradigm-Malibu, Launch Recovery, New Found Life, Sirona Recovery and Milestones Ranch. She is a prolific Interventionist helping families and their loves ones rise to their best possible selves, The 2018 honoree for Clinical Excellence from the Peggy Albrecht FriendlyHouse. Dr . Louise just published the first textbook for professionals , The Definitive Guide To Addiction Interventions- A Collective Strategy. You can reach her at http://www.allaboutinterventions.com.