what am i grateful for in sobriety?

With the Thanksgiving holiday last week in the United States, I've decided to dedicate this week's blog to giving thanks to sobriety.

Below is a simple list of reasons why I'm thankful to be alcohol free:

• Deepen my relationship with myself. This has resulted in so much work on myself - working through past traumas, inner child, shadow. It's allowed me to work with a therapist and get down to what makes me tick, my likes/dislikes, who I really am.

• Deepen current relationships with friends and family. In addition to strengthening my current relationships, being sober has also helped me make new friends.

• Get out of my comfort zone. Being sober has helped me try new things and experiences.

• More time, money and energy.

• I have all my memories and can actually remember what happens the night before.

• I can be relied upon and trusted to show up for my friends and family.

• I feel better physically than I have in years and actually take care of my body.

• More productive in all aspects of life - work, personal, physical, mental, etc.

• Set boundaries. Feel more in control of my activities and relationships.

• Raised my consciousness.

Not drinking has so many more positives than negatives. It's easy to get caught up in the day to day of the world we live in - and even more easy to forget to give thanks to things we would otherwise take for granted.