24 years ago today - I checked into a treatment center for my drug and alcohol problem. I feel a bit in awe that now I look back and have somehow made it this far without ever having to take a drink or drug again. I didn't do this alone - that's for sure. Life happens and it can get hard.
The universe always provided me with tools, support and the knowing in my being that I was here for a higher purpose then to drown myself in that mess of drugs, alcohol and self hatred.
Today I'm in a completely different place in my life and in my being. One of unlimited potential, of freedom from the active addiction, one of regular sleep, healthy nutrition, loving family, great friends, creativity oozing out of my pores, and a drive to keep searching, seeking, growing, learning, settling in to my own being and helping others. A life that lacks chaos, and has a lot less drama. Is it lacking in fun? um.. no. I actually learned how to laugh, how to trust, how to be a friend, how to play, how to cook, how to lighten up, how to be goofy, and how to love. Of course that starts with me. Loving myself. The biggest art project of all. It's a daily process. Progress rather than perfection.
Now - moving forward - I'd love to share with you all a little gift of gratitude. Gratitude for being there for me, of your support and kindness, of your love and acceptance, of your examples of what it means to live a full and rich life.
It's a GIVEAWAY !!
I'm giving away one spot in my Soul*full eCourse and the winner gets to bring a friend of hers for free as well.
HOW??
Just comment on today's post - share with me what it is you are grateful for today.
This giveaway ends at midnight August 18th Mountain Time.
The lucky winner will be announced August 19th.
Good luck everyone!
xoxoxooxox
*c
25 comments:
Dearest sweet Catherine, congratz on making this far with all of your achievements. It's really so important for all of us to have the love and support from family and friends. Thank you so much for this sweet reminder of such a beautiful sentiment. I do keep a little gratitude journal. I'm grateful to receive love and support from my family and friends (on-line and off-line). Their endless love and support allows me to continue to do what i love to do (paving my creative dream) and that is nothing better than that. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
I am grateful for a whole lot of things.
But today I'm grateful for everything all working out so that we can go over to Greece to spend a week with sis in law and her family.
Your course sounds very fab !
My hat is off to you Catherine. What an inspiration you are...more young people need to know about you and what is possible when the road seems darkest. Sometimes it is as easy as knowing that someone else believes in us that propels us to where we need to be. I'm grateful that you shared your story, that I am in a place in my own life to be able to say no matter what the challenges, there is still much learning to be done. I'm grateful for life every single day.
love what jacqueline wrote. my gratitude today is for family - my sons and all the people who surround us and complete us.
Dear Catherine, congratulations on an amazing milestone. You are truly an inspiration and I am so grateful for having met you. And I.miss you!
Today. I am grateful for no sleep, greasy hair, stubborn belly weight, an untidy house, a quarter of my queen size bed to sleep on, toys to stub my toes on and smashed cheerios in the rug. Why, you might ask? Does this lunatic relish living in chaos? Most of the time, no. But then I am reminded that these are all reminders that I GET to be mom to two crazy, maddening,, awesome little loves, and I wouldn't change that for the world. Now excuse.me while I go hide for ten mins in the shower!!!
I am grateful to the universe for allowing me to have such an awesome daughter!
Congratulations on 24 years!
i am grateful for so much! but today i amespecially grateful that my heart and mind opened enough to realize i have slowly been killing myself with food and a sedentary lifestyle. i have lost 84 lbs, gained muscle, confidance and the courage to say yes!
thank you universe!
Dearest Catherine, thanks for sharing your story. It is definitely a story of rebirth - one which gives hope to a lot of people who might be in a dark place right now. Every mealtime in our house, as a prayer, each family member says what he or she is grateful for. All of us are always thankful for our loving family and friends - without them, the world would be a dreary place. I am also thankful for having the liberty to do what I love doing - making art! :)
I am so grateful to be inspired by you Catherine! By your creativity, your journey, your parenting, your positivity, your consistent effort to be a better you. I am immensely grateful you reached out to me on my blog a while back and that you have become a friend and real source of support for me. I constantly struggle with my demons of 'not being good enough' and I am thankful to have been given the gift of you to show me that self belief, creativity and the willingness to try can heal the soul and allow you to thrive! I am deeply thankful that you so honestly and beautifully share of yourself! With much love and appreciation, heidi
Your course sounds amazing!
I am grateful for so so much.. a few things are..
-Inspiration abound, there is never a lack of inspiration to seek on the web, in books, in your surroundings, in others, in nature..
-For ideas, opportunities
-Life, my breath, movement, connection
Dear Catherine,
I am grateful for the the HEALTH of my two beautiful boys. They are strong,active, and love life. We just moved to Santa Barbara and they rode their bikes 3 miles to the beach,played on the beach, and then went swimming. They inspire me to have an active lifestyle and take care of my body. I am also grateful for my amazing husband who works so hard to provide for us so I can spend every minute with my children and be the biggest influence in their lives. Miss you Catherine.....you look so happy and Max is such a cutie pie!!!
I am grateful that I have known true and unconditional love, and that I have a chance to return that gift to others!
This moment? I am grateful for you. For letting me in and letting me grow too. For your shining but always very real example.
You're awesome. Completely, amazingly awesome.
Today I'm grateful for the ability to walk. Yes, that sounds cheesy but I just got back from an 11 block walk to the post office. And not everyone can do that.
What a wonderful, exciting and generous giveaway...
I am so so grateful today (and everyday) that I get to 'stay home' with my artwork and that I get to spend long days outside with our precious rabbits and that I get to watch them frolick and nap and dig and much on grass whiles I work.
24 years - Congrats!
It's only been about 9 for me, but feels like 24 - I think back and wonder who that person really was - 'cause it wasn't ME :)
Catherine,
What an amazing person you are!
And what an amazing contest!
There are many things that I am grateful for...mostly that I live in this wonderful USA and have the freedom to be able to do the things we do. My family, health, love, friends and internet to be able to connect with wonderful people like you!
Hey Girl,
As always you are amazing!
Thank you for this opportunity!
I am once again so inspired by you, thank you for sharing the path xxoo
Today I over flowing with gratitude of my awareness today that "returning to my source" anything and everything can be accomplished. That the Creative Intelligence is right here inside of me, that I need look no further.
In love and light, Cindy
Congratulations girl, you are such a fine example!
I AM grateful for you, Catherine, being you. Your courage to step into vulnerability is refreshing. Your knowingness that challenges serve your evolution and open you to a glorious and thriving life is between the lines. How does it get any better than that?
I am grateful for a wonderful life partner, my health and that I get to see deer outside my window every day.
Congratulations on the launching of our course. Very exciting!
I am grateful for all of my struggles and for the courage I have to face them and the strength I get from moving through them. I am grateful for all of the love I give and receive and for the capacity of growth that is present in all of us. For the gift of being able to do what I love and share it with the world especially all of the children... no matter how many times I say... hmmm this isn't exactly paying the bills... doing what you love and sharing it with little smiling faces is a reward that feeds my soul and warms my heart.
Catherine, I am grateful that you are my friend and that you are present in my life... your ability to motivate those around you to open up and beieve in themselves and to tell an own their own story is amazing.
I love you and wish you so much luck in soul*full. I am definitely signing up... xoxo
I am grateful for the support the universe sends me every day by way of my family, friends, strangers, and serendipity. I am overwhelmed by the love I feel, especially in challenging times, and I am grateful to be learning how to recognize it in all areas in my life and carry it with me every day.
Happy Birthday! I love you!!!
This is a beautiful post. It sounds like you have had an interesting journey. I am grateful for my husband. We've had a tough year and I am thankful every day that he has been by my side through all of it.
Good evening Catherine. Hope your 24th year is filled with magic and grace. Pat yourself on the back and be proud.
Today, I am grateful that I am still ok with letting go of most of my material things. Change can be freeing.
Catherine, Congratulations. You are truly an inspiration, not only to those who are struggling, but also to those who are creative, strong, and aspiring.
I am grateful to go to "work" every day, as a pediatric physical therapist, where I feel that I am making a difference in the life of a child. It is an honor and the most incredible reward that I could ask for each day to work with children and their families; with the goal of achieving the most amazing potential that I see in any human beings. I am very blessed to have a career that returns such passion.
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