What Are You Grateful For?

Thirty-three years ago, I got sober.
It was determined for me.
I was sitting in jail after a wild night of drinking, facing the possibility of spending the next 10 years in prison.
Through divine intervention, I side-stepped a lengthy incarceration.
But I had a lot of parameters placed around me for the next couple of years.
It was the worst and best thing that ever happened to me.
I haven’t even had a traffic ticket since that time.
And I transformed into a completely different person.
It wasn’t easy.
Throughout the ordeal, I gained clarity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the simple moments.
Then, just a few years back, challenges I never expected showed up.
Eleven surgeries in 18 months.
Kidney stones, open-heart surgery, 2 septic shock surgeries, losing a kidney, and 2 more heart attacks.
It was a season of vulnerability and uncertainty.
I gained heartfelt gratitude for…
The doctors, nurses, and loved ones who cared for me,
My body’s ability to heal, after all the trauma,
And most of all,
Profound lessons that taught me…
Life is precious.
Show up every day with intention.
Our true purpose is to love and encourage others.
Sobriety and faith shape the way I view the world.
Appreciation lives at the center of my being.
This Holiday season, I invite you to reflect on your journey.
What are you grateful for this year?
The answers will remind you how far you’ve come.