On my first Thanksgiving in recovery, I went to a meeting. I assumed the room would be empty. It was a holiday, after all—people would be spending time with loved ones or maybe traveling. Surely, I thought, most people would not be able to find time for a meeting on Thanksgiving Day.
I distinctly remember the feeling of walking into the meeting and realizing I was wrong. Every single chair was filled, people stood lining the back of the room and spilling out into the hallway—the room was packed. I left that meeting with immense gratitude for each person who had shown up, letting me know I was not alone.
As we approach the holiday season, I’m reminded that recovery never takes a day off. When we need it most, we can lean into our recovery community. And for this community, I continue to be extremely grateful.
Gratitude is at the core of recovery, a tool to be used to get us through the most challenging of days. Gratitude helps us to recognize how far we have come, the positive ripples our recovery puts out into the world, and the community that makes all of this possible. You are backed by a battalion of love and support and carry with you a guiding light to help others.
With ample opportunities in the coming weeks, I encourage you to put your gratitude into action by being of service to others, sharing your story, and expressing what you are grateful for in your recovery.
Here are some great ways to share your gratitude with the Caron community to get you started:
- Attend our Thanksgiving Gratitude Meeting – Join us for an evening online support group hosted by Caron D.C. at 7:30 PM. Click here to join or contact June Bare for additional information.
- Acknowledge a Caron team member with our Gratitude Campaign - This is a great opportunity to share a message about someone at Caron who made a difference in your life.
- Celebrate milestones at Chapel - Inspire current and former patients by obtaining an anniversary coin during an upcoming Caron Chapel service. Sign-up is required prior to attending in person - click here to reserve a date.
- Share your experience - By writing an online review, help prospective patients and families find Caron and get a glimpse into the impact of treatment.
I look forward to sharing more resources with you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, be gentle with yourself as we prepare for the stressors and challenges that can come with the holidays. And remember, it is always okay to put yourself and your recovery first.
