Blog for February 23, 2026
“Gratitude and Responsibility”
“Gratitude and responsibility are key in a life of recovery”. I heard a speaker the other night end his pitch with these words and they struck me personally because I have been working on my eleventh step extra hard this month and when I was meditating, asking the Lord His will for me, my message – as always- was Love. But this time, more was added, Peace, Gratitude and Responsibility. I was like “what? Lord, responsibility?” and my message back was “yes, responsibility”. I delved into a conversation with my Higher Power, talking it through and working it out.
I quickly came to realize that responsibility is indeed a spiritual principle, just like love, peace and gratitude. In fact, I came to understand how those spiritual principles gave way to me being a responsible, productive member of society. Because I Love, my family, my life, recovery, my community, people in need and my NA community, I have been willing to give. To help where needed, whether it’s about a natural disaster in some other country or my neighbor lost everything in a fire. In the program we often run into newcomers who need clothes, food, all kinds of help. But most of all, they want to know how to stay and get a life worth living, so I share my experience, strength and hope freely when asked.
Love is a key element in me wanting to be responsible, for myself, for everything. Everything I have is a gift from God, therefore, Gratitude also plays a big part in my wanting to be responsible for all I’ve been given. Life, recovery, a beautiful marriage to the best husband in the world, my children, family, friends, sponsees. Not to mention having food, shelter, cars, all my utilities are turned on and paid up. I was given the opportunity in recovery to go back to school and work in a field that I enjoyed and felt I gave a contribution to society. Teaching and counseling. I have felt valued in my fellowship- sometimes, and with my friends. I love sponsoring the beautiful women that I sponsor, they are amazing. But all of these things and situations require me to be responsible for it all.
That means, I did my homework, no cheating. I do my job/s I’m hired for, no slacking. I love and honor my relationship with my husband, again- no cheating! Always being honest with him. It also means I get regular maintenance done on my cars, my house as it may need it, my property and certainly my relationships. They need to be cared for and nurtured and held up with love, gratitude and respect. If I find I’m in a relationship that I cannot honor or respect because they are shady somehow, drama makers and manipulators, then I quietly bow out. I’ve learned to be responsible with the company I keep.
One big area for me to learn about being responsible was with money and finances. I’ve even sought out experts and taken classes like Financial Peace University to learn how to manage my money and save. I am not rich by no stretch of the imagination, but I can happily say I’ve been responsible for what God has laid on me and now, in semi-retirement I want for nothing. I still live in the hood in a small house and take care of what I have and keep things affordable. That’s why I’m not in some big fancy house; I am quite content to live debt free with what God has given me. I try to be a good steward with everything He’s given me.
Which brings me to the point that it was my God who gave me the desire, willingness and strength to go to school and to work. I usually worked two jobs most all of working days. I give thanks and honor to God for that. So now, I can sit here in the quiet of my own home, with soft jazz and ambience on my TV playing while I write, next to my husband doing his own thing on his laptop. This is my happy spot, and I couldn’t ask for more. I am so grateful, and I want to maintain it all. I worked for it to be this way, prayed for it, loved and gave and now, I get to chill in this mellow, quiet, cozy little love cottage of ours. We have raised a bunch of kids and from time to time they still come to stay for a bit, and I love that too. But gone are the days of our kids yelling at each other, being demanding, needy, which was ok for the most part, but they could also cause havoc and disruption in the home, (teenagers). But we stayed responsible for our children as best we could, nurturing those relationships. Because my kids are also a gift from my God, my greatest gift, next to salvation and my husband.
Lately I have been going through some physical issues, painful ones and I do my best to take responsibility for my own health and wellbeing. I quit smoking about thirty-eight years ago and I have exercised and dieted through a lot of my years clean, I’m not perfect, but I have tried to stay healthy. Now that I have this “condition”, which I believe it temporary, it is also on me to live in the solution and help my own body heal. If I don’t take care of me, who will? This includes dental, skin (cancer), bones and muscles. We do what we can, but sometimes, things happen by no fault of our own or not because we were not being responsible for our own health. It is not my fault, nor yours that some of our loved ones have died, suffered, or maybe went to prison.
I am still grateful for everyone and everything the Lord has given me and what the Lord has taken away. I was told that in early recovery and that it was ridiculous, but time and life have taught how very true this is. In fact, today is my sister Judy’s birthday, I love her so very much, but she passed away in 2022 with dementia. And in about a week we bury my sister Shirly that has just passed away, with dementia being a leading cause. I am thankful for the time the good Lord put them in my life.
And the last part of this that I have not mentioned yet is that because Love and Gratitude have opened the door for me to be generous and responsible in all things, it brings me Peace. I may not always have complete peace, I mean, I do watch the news some, I don’t want to be stupid and naive about what is going on in the country or the world, but as much as it is possible within me, I have peace which is a huge gift from my Lord. I go to Bible studies and read my Bible and recovery literature daily. I take time to rest, pray and meditate. I seek out ways to fix what’s wrong with me, I consider other people’s advise when looking for solutions.
One of the best parts of being at peace, after all the responsibilities are taken care of, is to be able to relax and have fun, or at the very least, a good time with my family and friends. This is the reward. Another wonderful reward for me is a good night’s sleep and feeling good because of it. Laughing out loud, sharing memories and traveling are some of my rewards as well, especially when I’m doing it with the people I love and cherish so much.
So yes, am I grateful? Heck yea, I have the best husband in the world, beautiful, smart, kind children and grandkids that bring me so much joy. I have a safe comfy home to chill in, and to write in. I have a car sitting in the driveway at my disposal if I need to go somewhere. I have people I love and care about and people who love and care about me. I have salvation and a promise of a glorious, eternal future! So yes, I will take responsibility for all of it, all that God has laid on me and put in my path. I am grateful to be a responsible woman in recovery thanks to my God and NA.
Question of the Week: How are you handling your responsibilities? With gratitude?
