Addiction Recovery Gratitude - Spiritual Imaginings

How Did You Like My Stuff?

Guest Blog on addiction recovery gratitude by Ron Young

This small story about addiction recovery gratitude has helped me through some difficult periods. It is a short but hopefully thought provoking tale. You have to open your mind a little just to hear this “what if” proposition. Keep in mind that most theologians agree that any description of God is a distortion as he/she is beyond human comprehension.Imagine “what if,” when you die, you find yourself sitting across the table from man that looks like a cross between Charlton Heston, in the 10 Commandments, and Santa Claus. As he grins and leans forward he says:"I don't care what you did or didn't do during your life. What I really do want to know is: How did you like my stuff?"As you sit there with a puzzled look, he continues, “I started with absolutely nothing. I created it all for you! Space, light, the universe, the stars, the planets – I started from scratch. What about the senses. Did you like the senses?”

"What about sight? Did you like colors? Rainbows, watching a sunset, flowers, stars and a baby's smile? What do think? Did you like sight?""What about taste? Did you enjoy the different flavors? You made such funny faces when you bit into a lemon. How about the taste of a hot meal after a hard day? The meats, home made bread, pasta and steamy vegetables? Chocolate? Can you recall those dishes that exploded in your mouth with a symphony of flavors that compelled your whole body and spirit to smile? I also thought you would enjoy that food tasted better the hungrier you were. What do think about taste?""Now let’s talk touch. Mud between your toes, a hot bath, the feel of rabbit fur, to name a few. What about snuggles, cuddles, hugs and being nestled by your mother? My favorite being the spiritual commingling of two lovers in a supportive, caring, delighting embrace? And don’t overlook the healing & soothing power of touch. I came up with all these just for you.""Are you starting to get it? What about the sound of the frogs, birds and insects filling the air? Music, singing, a waterfall or rolling thunder? Did you like sound?""Smell? Good smells and those that turned up your nose. Flowers and herbs, air after rain, food like fresh baked bread or your mother’s home made meal or a hot apple pie?""I wanted to save the best for last. The sense of humor. Yes, I invented laughter. Liked it so much I made it contagious. It could be salve for whatever ailed you. An emotional relief valve if you will. You cannot be unhappy or frown while you’re laughing. I made that a rule, like gravity.""How did you enjoy animals? Colorful singing birds? A kaleidoscopic variety of species living in the oceans, lakes and streams? Cats, bears, monkeys, insects, snakes and so on. Did you find them interesting? I even made a few birds that appeared to have their knees on backward just to see you smile. Dogs – no more needs to be said. Knowing how you are compelled to study and categorize everything in pursuit of complete knowledge, I hid the platypus away in New Zealand which violated all your categorical tenets just to keep you humble."

"Now I spent some time on water. Did you like water? A warm bath or shower? The white fluffy clouds, thunderstorms, rainbows, fog, rivers, babbling brooks, lakes and oceans. What about snow? Did you like a fresh blanket of snow on the landscape. Skiing, sledding and having snowball fights. Don't forget ice sickles and skating. I could go on and on.""Do you get what I'm saying? Did you enjoy the gift I gave you. That's all I care about. Forget about your so called sins and just tell what you enjoyed about living. I made so much for so few."It is easy to get fixated on man's creations. It seems the human race struggles to get more and more of everything. It's our nature. But I heard a man say, "I've earned everything I've got!" I just smiled and thought, "So what did you do to earn your right leg, or your eyes?"What is all that other stuff worth if you don't have a healthy body. If you are reading this blog, there is a good chance you understand. To be happy, I need to focus on what I can do, not what I can no longer do.Ron Young

We love sharing stories and experiences from friends of Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat in Panama. We are fortunate to have a very strong community of supporters with a great pool of resources. If you are looking for a place to come and heal, learn new skills for living a sober and happy life, then please consider Serenity Vista. Boquete, Panama is an incredibly beautiful setting for recovery.