--- title: Blog | Gratitude description: Gratitude | The Next Step | Weekly Wisdom on Addiction, Recovery, Families, and Everything In-Between --- [![The retreat](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/file-2373138307-png/TheRetreat-Jan2015_Theme/img/logo.png?width=271&name=logo.png "The retreat")](https://www.theretreat.org/) ON-LINE [Meeting Resources](https://www.myrecovery.org/online-meetings/) EMAIL US [info@theretreat.org](mailto:info@theretreat.org) CALL US [866-928-3434](tel:8669283434) [![ The Retreat ](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/file-2373138307-png/TheRetreat-Jan2015_Theme/img/logo.png.png?width=460&name=logo.png.png " The Retreat ")](https://www.theretreat.org/) - [About](http://www.theretreat.org/about) - [History](http://www.theretreat.org/about/history) - [Staff](http://www.theretreat.org/staff-and-leadership-team) - [Board of Directors](http://www.theretreat.org/about/board-of-directors) - [FAQs](http://www.theretreat.org/about/faqs) - [Testimonials](http://www.theretreat.org/about/testimonials) - 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[Event Gallery](http://www.theretreat.org/alumni-friends/alumni-event-gallery) - [Kenny’s Recipes](http://www.theretreat.org/alumni-friends/kennys-recipes) - [Golf Extravaganza 2026](http://www.theretreat.org/golf-extravaganza) - [Women in Recovery](http://www.theretreat.org/women-in-recovery) - [Research](http://www.theretreat.org/research) - [Abstinence-Based Recovery](http://www.theretreat.org/research-on-12-step-abstinence-based-recovery) - [Outcome Studies](http://www.theretreat.org/the-retreat-outcome-studies) - [Outcomes](http://www.theretreat.org/research/outcomes) - [Research On 12-Steps](http://www.theretreat.org/research-on-12-step-abstinence-based-recovery) - [Spiritual Direction](http://www.theretreat.org/spiritual-direction) - Media - [Blog](https://blog.theretreat.org) - [Podcast](http://www.theretreat.org/media/podcast) - [Newsroom](http://www.theretreat.org/media/in-the-news) - [Videos](http://www.theretreat.org/media/video-resources) - [Contact](https://info.theretreat.org/contact-us) [NEED HELP NOW?](https://info.theretreat.org/contact-us) ![RetreatBlogBannerImage.jpg](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Retreat_Blog_Banner_Image_Final.jpg?width=5688&name=Retreat_Blog_Banner_Image_Final.jpg "RetreatBlogBannerImage.jpg") [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/A%20New%20Years%20Message%20of%20Gratitude.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-new-years-message-of-gratitude) ## [A New Year's Message of Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-new-years-message-of-gratitude) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jan 1, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by [John Curtiss](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-curtiss) posted in [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/gratitude), [celebration](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/celebration) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-new-years-message-of-gratitude#comments-listing) Dear Alumni, Friends, and Supporters, As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared at The Retreat. With immense gratitude in my heart, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the profound impact we’ve made together. To date, we have helped nearly 33,000 men, women, and families find the road to recovery, each one a testament to the power of community, compassion, and hope. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-new-years-message-of-gratitude) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/The-Retreat-Post.jpg)](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) ## [Abandon Yourself to God](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jul 21, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Alcohol & Health](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-health), [Treatment Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/treatment-program), [Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/gratitude) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 9 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god#comments-listing) What does it mean to abandon ourselves to God? On page 164 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous we find this explanation. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/snow-in-pine-tree-1265119_640.jpg)](https://blog.theretreat.org/tree-wisdom) ## [Tree Wisdom](https://blog.theretreat.org/tree-wisdom) \[fa icon="calendar'\] May 8, 2020 12:00:00 AM / by [Bob Bernu](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/bob-bernu) posted in [families](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/families), [family recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/family-recovery), [Recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program), [Support Group](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/support-group), [Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/gratitude) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/tree-wisdom#comments-listing) Thanksgiving weekend 2019 brought 17 inches of heavy wet snow to northwestern Wisconsin, a special place where our family cabin sits, on the Minerva chain of lakes. As I looked out into the yard this past Sunday morning, I was startled by the sight of our many pine trees – white, blue spruce, and jack pine, all sagging towards earth with heavily burdened branches carrying the weight of nature’s winter storm. Concerned these trees might topple or at least suffer the damage of broken branches, I donned Sorel boots, jacket, hat and gloves and set out intent to remove some of the 17 inches of ice crystals these trees of ours were carrying. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/tree-wisdom) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Retreat_Blog.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/i-woke-up-this-morning-and-my-wife-sent-me-a-post) ## [I woke up this morning and my wife sent me a post](https://blog.theretreat.org/i-woke-up-this-morning-and-my-wife-sent-me-a-post) \[fa icon="calendar'\] May 5, 2020 2:19:02 PM / by [Staff Blog](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/staff-blog) posted in [family recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/family-recovery), [Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/gratitude), [Drug Addiction](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/drug-addiction), [higher power](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/higher-power) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/i-woke-up-this-morning-and-my-wife-sent-me-a-post#comments-listing) I woke up this morning and my wife sent me a post that she had shared/read about someone who decided to not let drugs and alcohol numb them, to not just say that they are fine when things are really upsetting them or they are having a hard day. I told her that honestly that was the same reason that I decided to get sober so many years ago because I was numb for so long and I really like feeling all of the emotions good or bad that come with life and it makes me feel strong to face them everyday and not give up. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/i-woke-up-this-morning-and-my-wife-sent-me-a-post) [All posts](https://blog.theretreat.org/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/478538/839b1295-222c-440a-a31f-5be26d9a5570.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/478538/839b1295-222c-440a-a31f-5be26d9a5570) - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Alcoholics Anonymous (181)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous) - [Recovery Program (138)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program) - [AA meetings (102)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-meetings) - [alcoholism (86)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholism) - [12 steps of aa (85)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa) - [AA Big Book (85)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book) - [Recovery (77)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery) - [Drugs Adiction (51)](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/drugs-adiction) - 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(1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/lisa-g) see all ### Recent Posts ### OUR MISSION Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol and drug dependency by providing affordable, effective educational services grounded in the Twelve Step principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. [Learn More →](https://www.theretreat.org/about)   *\*The Retreat is a supportive, educational recovery program and is not a substitute for psychotherapy, medical, or clinical treatment.* ### CONTACT US Phone: 866-928-3434 Phone: 952-476-0566 Fax: 952-404-7208 Email: [info@theretreat.org](mailto:info@theretreat.org) Address:  [1221 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1221+Wayzata+Blvd+E,+Wayzata,+MN+55391/@44.972252,-93.4978219,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x52b34b6393eefe71:0xa29dd4f038137ea6)   **[Our Blog](https://blog.theretreat.org)**  |  [Online Meeting Resources](https://myrecovery.org/online-meetings/)    ---------------------------- "[The Retreat Daily](https://paper.li/e-1496866645)" Daily posts on recovery, sobriety, mental health, and everything in-between. ### NEED HELP NOW? © 2025 The Retreat. All Rights Reserved. | [Privacy Policy](https://www.theretreat.org/privacy-policy) Powered By [BSPKN](https://www.bspkn.co/)