In my drinking days, I took almost everything for granted. All I cared about was me, and how fucked up I could get. My mind was never on the present moment, only on whether I had enough alcohol or cocaine to get me through the night. That frame of mind hijacked any real enjoyment from whatever I was doing. Every thought and action had a selfish motive behind it, and of course that ruined a lot of my relationships. Nobody wants to be around a selfish, preoccupied asshole! It wasn’t until I stopped drinking that I realized just how much I sucked as a human. When I finally accepted that the world, and everybody in it, didn’t owe me a goddamn thing, it changed how I treated myself and others. Every gesture of kindness from family, friends, or strangers is a gift. Learning to appreciate all the warmth and love I receive was life-changing.
I will never take anything or anyone for granted again. Now that I notice the small stuff, like a stranger holding a door or a friend texting just to check in, there’s no way I’d jeopardize my relationships with alcohol or any other destructive habit. Think of a kitten or puppy in your care. They’re fragile and gentle, and they need attention, love, and compassion. Everything good in your life is like that. I had to come to terms with how fragile and precious my connections are. They’re a gift, and once I opened my eyes to that, I stopped wanting to take them for granted.
Practicing gratitude and awareness of even the most minor pleasures, kindnesses, and conveniences is grounding. It’s the foundation for building a better self and stronger relationships. This world doesn’t owe us a thing. We should never expect, only be thankful to receive, and always be willing to contribute to the greater good and the well-being of others. Be grateful for everything in your life, and the rest will flow naturally.
Revere any source of light that penetrates the darkness.
