Good night’s sleep and early wake-up.  Another fellow stayed last night so have a packed house.

It has been a lovely day today, so I took all three fellows to one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres with more than 150 retail outlets and eateries.  We spent a good few hours popping in and out of most of the shops.  I contained myself and did not buy anything, although the temptation was there.  We also went into a few charity shops, and I found it amazing how much prices have gone up in these shops.  I believe in the benefits of shopping in charity shops, it’s just I remember them not being so expensive.

My fellows wanted to get a nice fish and chips for lunch, so I took them to one of the best chippies around the area, and none of us were disappointed.  I however did get a battered sausage, as always get this when I get a chippy.

The time came to head back into town and drop the fellow who stayed last night at the train station, for their journey home.  I am enjoying having fellows stay with me and creating memories together.  I will stay in contact with this fellow and they are welcome back anytime.

Now it was three, and we went to go visit another fellow for coffee before I had to return home for my aftercare session.

The aftercare session was the second part of last week’s session on gratitude.  In this session, I realised more within myself that a big part of recovery is fellowship and forgiveness.  As gratitude is a selfless act, being a fellow is key to recovery.  I am grateful to be an alcoholic in recovery and grateful every day that I don’t have a drink, but part of being grateful for this is understanding that I have to be more forgiving.

I have to remember that I have caused a lot of harm and damage in my active addiction, that will take time to heal, possibly not even resolve, so I must be mindful of this and be grateful that these people are still in my life during recovery.

This day ended on a high with one of the fellows cooking carbonara, which was amazing and I was grateful for them cooking dinner, and then a film before bed.

Gratitude connects me with my feeling of forgiveness, which strengthens my recovery.

Gratitude:
I am grateful for the company of my fellows and the way they treat my home like theirs.
I am grateful for these fellows cooking and cleaning today.
I am grateful for another day of being sober.