27. The Little Things
In the chaotic hustle of our fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook the small pleasures that weave through our daily lives. Shifting our thought perspective and embracing gratitude for these seemingly insignificant moments can lead to greater contentment and happiness. Gratitude is a potent emotional tool (backed by scientific research) that has the power to rewire our mental perspective and significantly improve our well-being. It’s an emotion that arises from recognizing and appreciating the kindness and positivity we receive from others or experience in our lives.
I had an unexpected encounter at the ice cream stand the other day when I ran into a friend from recovery. It doesn’t sound like anything crazy but, here comes the twist—this encounter became a pivotal moment of insight for me. He knows that I am also in recovery because he was at the very first self-help group that I attended after completing my first 28-day rehab back in 2018. I remember the meeting very well. I was so nervous because my only experience with self-help groups had been a daily meeting that other addicts and alcoholics brought into rehab. It was always the very last group of the day. I really looked forward to the meetings (most nights). I remember hearing the members that brought these self-help groups in tell all the patients that the first thing we needed to do when we left rehab was to find a local self-help group, attend a meeting, raise my hand, introduce myself, and let the other members know that I was fresh out of rehab and needed support. I was so beaten down and broken because of years and years of substance abuse. I had tried everything else up to that point and nothing had worked, so I figured I’d give it a shot and did exactly what I was told. I raised my hand, introduced myself as Kyle, an alcoholic/addict, and told them I was fresh out of rehab and looking for support. I met a lot of really cool and interesting people that night; people who had experienced the same kind of destruction and devastation as a result of substance abuse.
He was ordering after me at the ice cream stand, so we started some small talk asking how each other had been and what we had been up to. I replied, “Ah, you know the same old stuff.” He paused briefly before answering. He looked me square in the eyes and proceeded to say, “What do you mean? You’ve never had it so good!” We finished speaking, said our goodbyes, snagged our ice creams, and parted ways.
I got into my car to head home but I couldn’t stop thinking about him telling me, “What do you mean? You’ve never had it so good!” I wasn’t having the greatest day ever. It was just a “blah” kind of day for me; nothing great was happening but also nothing horrible was happening. We all have these kinds of “blah” days; they're as common as Monday morning blues. But what if those ordinary days could be something greater? As my friend demonstrated, sometimes it just takes a shift in perspective to unlock the hidden joys in life.
He hit the nail right on the head. I really haven’t had it so good before in my entire life. I have a supportive family who sticks by me through thick and thin, a roof over my head, and friends who aren't afraid to call me out on my BS (and believe me, we all need those friends)! I have the pleasure of writing for The Independent Republican, my town’s local newspaper. I’ve had numerous opportunities where I was able to spread awareness of substance abuse in the very same schools I once attended. I can go on and on, but I think you probably get the picture.
This unexpected ice cream rendezvous reminded me of the bigger picture—how far I’ve come since attending that first self-help group and how much I have to be thankful for. Sometimes we lose sight of important things in our lives. We end up “plateauing” and life just seems very bland. We get caught up just casually going through life’s ups and downs without being truly grateful for the little things. Today, I don’t have to avoid my family for days on end because I’m too messed up. I’m not waking up sick every single morning, having to chug a beer and pop a Xanax pill to “get well.” I’m not shooting up in an abandoned house somewhere in the hood. I have no open legal cases against me. The list goes on and on. He was one hundred percent right – I really haven’t ever had it so good.
So, what's the moral of this ice cream tale? Don't let life's plateaus make everything seem so bland. Relish the small moments that make life worth living. Be grateful for your journey, the people who love you, and the opportunities that have come your way. Life may not always be grand, but there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.
And remember, if you’re struggling, or know someone who is struggling, please don’t lose hope. If that had happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to spread awareness today.
