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Minnesota

Brothers and Sisters in Recovery 🙏  Currently, I'm on a vacation/funeral trip in Minnesota, and all I can say is wow. It is absolutely gorgeous here. This morning I sat on the back deck overlooking a beautiful lake in northern Minnesota with a hot cup of coffee in my hand, and I was overcome with gratitude. As I sat there watching the water and taking in God's creation, I couldn't help but reflect on where I used to be and where recovery has brought me. There was a time when I never would have had the opportunity to enjoy a morning like this. Addiction robbed me of the ability to appreciate life's simple gifts. My mind was always somewhere else—chasing, running, worrying, or trying to escape reality. Today, because of recovery, I can be fully present. Recovery has given me the ability to slow down and appreciate things I once overlooked. The warmth of the morning sun. The sound of birds singing. Time spent with family. The peacefulness of nature. The simple blessing of...
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Minnesota

Brothers and Sisters in Recovery 🙏 

Currently, I'm on a vacation/funeral trip in Minnesota, and all I can say is wow. It is absolutely gorgeous here. This morning I sat on the back deck overlooking a beautiful lake in northern Minnesota with a hot cup of coffee in my hand, and I was overcome with gratitude.

As I sat there watching the water and taking in God's creation, I couldn't help but reflect on where I used to be and where recovery has brought me. There was a time when I never would have had the opportunity to enjoy a morning like this. Addiction robbed me of the ability to appreciate life's simple gifts. My mind was always somewhere else—chasing, running, worrying, or trying to escape reality.

Today, because of recovery, I can be fully present.

Recovery has given me the ability to slow down and appreciate things I once overlooked. The warmth of the morning sun. The sound of birds singing. Time spent with family. The peacefulness of nature. The simple blessing of waking up clean and having nowhere I need to run from.

One of the greatest gifts we receive in recovery is gratitude. Not gratitude because everything in life is perfect, but gratitude because we finally learn to appreciate what we have instead of obsessing over what we don't have.

This trip is a reminder of that. While we gather to mourn the loss of a loved one, we are also reminded of how precious and fragile life truly is. Recovery teaches us that we can experience sadness without self-destructing. We can grieve without using. We can face difficult emotions without running from them.

When I was active in addiction, I was constantly searching for happiness somewhere out there. Today, recovery has taught me that peace can be found right where my feet are planted. Sometimes it's found in a meeting. Sometimes it's found in helping another addict. Sometimes it's found in a quiet moment on a deck overlooking a lake with a cup of coffee.

Recovery doesn't promise us a life free from pain, but it does give us the tools to navigate life on life's terms. It teaches us resilience, acceptance, faith, and gratitude. It allows us to experience the highs and lows of life with a clear mind and an open heart.

As I look across these Minnesota lakes, I'm reminded that recovery is a journey, not a destination. The water isn't always calm. Storms come and go. Yet the lake remains. Just like us, recovery teaches us to endure the storms and trust that calmer waters are ahead.

No matter where you are on your journey today, take a moment to recognize how far you've come. Celebrate the victories, no matter how small they may seem. Be grateful for another day clean, another chance to grow, and another opportunity to become the person you were always meant to be.

Stay grateful. Stay humble. Stay teachable. Most importantly, stay clean.

Just for today, one day at a time. Easy does it. Progress, not perfection. Keep coming back. It works if you work it, and you're worth it.

With love and gratitude,

Gary G :::

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