As we approach Thanksgiving, we traditionally use the holiday season to take a step back, reflect on the year, and give thanks. However, as a turbulent and painful year comes to a close during this holiday season of 2020, many cannot be faulted for having a difficult time finding gratitude.
2020 has been difficult for most of us. A deadly worldwide pandemic in the form of COVID-19. Job loss, rising levels of unemployment, and financial hardships. Isolation. Virtual learning, turning parents into teachers and cutting children off from their friends. A difficult and divisive election cycle. Rising rates of suicide, mental health challenges, addiction, and overdoses. We have all had to endure a very difficult year, so asking people to try and find gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches may sound short-sighted. However, we don’t believe it is.
While this year has been difficult, the principles, values, and lessons that we celebrate each Thanksgiving remain. It has been scientifically proven that adhering to and practicing a mindset of gratitude improves one’s life, both mentally and physically. Therefore, while it may sound ridiculous or may be difficult, 2020 may be, above all others, the year when we need to be most grateful and find the most gratitude. Many of us are suffering- physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially. So taking and practicing the scientifically proven approach of gratitude to improve our hearts, our minds, our outlook, and our emotional state is more important now than ever.
So, this year, as Thanksgiving draws near, we want to ask you to try to add into your daily practice the art of gratitude. Try to be grateful in every moment. Reflect on the good things you have in your life. Pause to remember the moments of joy and unity. Share your gratitude with others, in an effort to give thanks by sharing joy and connection. Give back to others and be helpful when and where you can. Celebrate your victories.
We get out of life what we put into it. We all can certainly ruminate on all that has gone wrong this year, all that we missed out on, and all that we wish we had during these difficult times. However, since we know that an attitude of gratitude goes a long way to cultivating a happier life with more freedom from worry and despair, we challenge you to find gratitude. Be thankful for those things you can be thankful for and show appreciation for the life that you have today. Be ready to share that joy with others and offer help and assistance when they are struggling. Be kind and return kindness to others. The principle of helping others is a cornerstone for anyone that has found recovery from addiction. Those who have walked out of the fire know, understand, and have experienced the type of joy that comes from giving back and helping those in need.
If we can begin to apply gratitude into our daily lives, be grateful for every moment, and find thankfulness for our lives within ourselves, we will begin to find joy in the moment and the yearning to share that joy with others during a time when many are struggling and in need of joy.
This Thanksgiving, we want to give thanks to all those who have supported us this year, as well as those who have allowed us to help them and be a small part of their journey of recovery, away from hopelessness and despair and towards happiness and freedom.
As we continue to get through 2020 together, we want to tell you that we are grateful every day for doing what we do, for being able to be helpful, and for sharing in the joy of our lives and being able to a part of the joy in the lives of others. From all of us here at Maryland Addiction Recovery Center, we want to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorder issues, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive dual diagnosis addiction treatment in the Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (410) 773-0500 or email our team at info@marylandaddictionrecovery.com. For more information on all of our drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorder services and recovery resources, please visit our web site at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.
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