Funny enough, it was the movie Zombieland that reminded me of this principle for a happy life. In Zombieland, finding that rare Twinkie is an example of one of the little things. (The movie is hilarious, by the way.)

I sometimes think we hear these familiar sayings and sort of say, “Yeh, yeh, yeh. Whatever.” Maybe not consciously, but I know I can be a little dismissive.  However, I know that when I really savor the little things, life in general feels better. When I stop and think: “Wow. This is really nice. This is a nice moment,” my day just seems more special.

So what are the little things?  Bumping into an old friend and getting a chance to say hi; a few moments playing with your pet; a quiet moment with your familly having a nice dinner; a great movie; a great book; a laugh with a group of friends over a silly joke… the list goes on.

Every day little things happen that prove life is good – and if I focus on those little things that are there now rather than on those “big things” I think should be there now I feel content and appreciative.  That is a good place to be in sobriety.

I remember hearing someone in a meeting say, “I’m the humblest person I know.” I don’t know if they were trying to be ironic, but they seemed dead serious. It had to be one of the funniest statements I’ve ever heard in a meeting.

Sometimes people associate humility with humiliation. They are so utterly different even if they do come from the same root humilis. 

Humility is inextricably intertwined with gratitude.  I am grateful for the opportunity to live life with a clear mind.  It is humbling when you see the tragedy of so many who do not achieve even a day of sobriety.  Why me?  Why have I been sober another day so it’s now been over 8,370 days since I had a drink? Why did a friend I once know in sobriety die last year because he relapse after 20 years?

Humility allowed me to take the first step and admit powerlessness. What arrogant, self-righteous alcoholic wants to admit anything close to powerlessness? I have to be truly grateful for acceptance of my disease. Most people do not accept it.

Humility is important because without it I may become complacent or even arrogant. (Alcohol can’t get me!)  Humility keeps me in the proper frame of mind: I am one drink away from being not-sober.