The Foundational Principle of Attitude of Gratitude

The Foundational Principle of Attitude of Gratitude

What is the precious quality required for a chance of becoming truly happy?

What is the perspective which places character-building and spiritual values above all?

What is necessary in times of adversity to enable one to summon the faith that can meet any emergency?

Alan Santo 1963-2014

Alan Santo 1963-2014

The desire to seek and do God’s Will requires what basic ingredient?

What do some consider as an avenue to true freedom of the human spirit?

What can be used as our guide to move out of ourselves towards others and God?

What quality do many unnecessarily require a bludgeoning or beating to acquire?

Un-remitted suffering is a common path to seek what quality?

What is discovered by many people as a healer of pain?

What can transform failure and misery into priceless assets?

What is widely considered as a key nourishing ingredient that yields serenity?

What is used by many who seek removal of their shortcomings?

What is required to start gaining perspective on ourselves?

What is defined as gaining a clear recognition of what and who we are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be?

What is the foundational principle of all the collective writings in this website?

The answer to all these questions is: Humility.

Humility is the acceptance of ourselves, and it’s found in the knowing of our right place with God and with others.

In Loving Memory Of The Man Who Inspired Me To Create This Website: Alan Santo.

The Future Depends On What You Do Today

The Future Depends On What You Do Today

We are being guided, but God will not assist us without our cooperation.

Ten years from now, make sure that you can say you have chosen your life; not just settled on it.

Be skeptical but always listen. Take the position of a student.

Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. God will listen. Promise.

Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, arrogance, anger, jealousy envy and greed all flow from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance and that you will too.

Search for your True Self, but do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your journey, and yours alone. Others may walk by your side, but no one can take these steps for you.

Respect all that has been placed upon this earth. Every man, woman, child, ever creature, every living thing shares the same divine source.

Honor other people’s thoughts and words. Allow each person the right to personal expression but take none of what they say personally.

Never speak of others in way that you would not say to their face. The gossip that you put out into the world will have multiplied when your poison words return to you.

All people make mistakes and all mistakes have been forgiven by God, so therefore you can forgive them too.

Be truthful at all times. Honesty is evidence of one’s courage.

Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental Self, Spiritual Self, Emotional Self, and Physical Self, all need to be strong and healthy. Grow strong in spirit to cure emotional sicknesses. Exercise the body to strengthen the mind.

Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will respond.

Be responsible for your own actions and respect the privacy and personal space of others. Unsolicited advice is an insult.

Share your good fortune with others. Practice generosity regularly.

Make no assumptions. You will end up very disappointed if you think everyone has the same heart you do.

Always do your best, because you will know when you do any less than you are capable of. Ultimately the relationship that you have with yourself sets the tone for all other relationships.

Forgive yourself for not knowing sooner what you know now. Learning isn’t always easy and if it seems easy, you may not actually be learning anything new.

Respect yourself. People accept what they believe they deserve. Therefore, you will allow people to treat you no better than, no less than, what you think you are worthy of.

Say yes more often to your instincts for you are being guided and remember that God will not assist you in any endeavor without your cooperation.

Attitude of Gratitude, Hero's Journey

Hero’s Journey

I want to repeat that this process is about placing you on a journey of self discovery. And if you continue with this path, you will eventually find yourself returning to where you began but with a completely new introspective wisdom that can only be gained experientially. This 12 Step process is like the classic story of a hero’s journey that’s been told many times for thousands of years. I think the reason why the tale has stood the test of time is because most everyone can relate to, or aspire to be, the main character.

The hero/heroine in this epic always is unaware of the potential that lies dormant in them. Then, some event happens that usually the hero denies, and he tries to ignore what is calling him. However, there seems to be no way to avoid the destiny ahead; people, places, and things all in some way trigger a response to an unavoidable calling.

As the reluctant hero begins the quest, clues are given about his true identity. Early on a wise, trusted elder informs how only this person can fulfill what’s needed and that no one else can fulfill the hero’s purpose. The adventure unfolds and all that is needed arrives; wisdom, courage, strength, friendship, and an awakening of true identity. Despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, our hero responds to the challenge, is forever changed, and fulfills his destiny. Attitude of Gratitude, Hero's Journey

Seems like a myth, doesn’t it? How can this be real for anyone today? Of course, it still applies today because the only reason why any legend lasts for centuries is that it resonates in the hearts and minds of every person alive. A common man rising above adversity has always stirred the human spirit and that is what real recovery is.

It is still true that only those who dare to believe that they can triumph will experience great things. Still to this day, anyone who desires being more than ordinary must leave the comfortability of what has always been known; the hero must always leave the safety of their home for the odyssey to unfold. So, it is too with those who begin a new life in recovery.

Attitude of Gratitude, What Does Recovery Look Like?

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Recovery is quite simply being the best person we can be each and every day. Striving for a life that we have always had available, but have chosen to deny.

  • Recovery is hope, instead of desperation
  • Recovery is faith, instead of despair
  • Recovery is courage, instead of fear
  • Recovery is peace of mind, instead of confusion
  • Recovery is self-respect, instead of self-contempt
  • Recovery is self-confidence, instead of helplessness
  • Recovery is a clean conscience, instead of a sense of shame
  • Recovery is real friendships, instead of loneliness
  • Recovery is a life built upon timeless principles, instead of enduring a meaningless existence
  • Recovery is humility, instead of false pride

Recovery is a recognition that God has done for us that we could not do on our own.

Gratitude Is What Recovery Looks Like.