10. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Give Blood: I know, I hate needles too, but every time I go through a little discomfort to donate blood, helping someone, I feel like I have somehow made up for one of those time that I went through discomfort and only hurt myself and my loved ones. It’s a way to forgive myself.

9. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food bank. I have acknowledged my own shortcomings, and should be able to show compassion for the shortcomings of others.

8. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Donate old stuff: Clean out my basement and donate all the old stuff to charity. It helps others, clears out my space, and makes me feel like I have accomplished something.

7. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Be patient: Easy for some, much harder for others who have gone alcohol free. Check myself to see if and when I am getting snappy with family or friends. When the high risk time or place comes, I’ll remind myself going in that this is a weak moment, and have a plan.

6. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Help someone get active: Most of use who have gone AF need to get active ourselves. Find a buddy and walk with them or take a fitness class together. We will each motivate the other.

5. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Help an elderly friend or neighbor: Older folks often need someone to take them shopping, shop for them, do small fixit jobs around the house, or just to sit and talk with them. There are not many things more rewarding.

4. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Make a care package: A sick or grieving neighbor might appreciate a ready-to-eat casserole, a soldier overseas some paperback books. Chocolate!

3. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Forgive everyone: This is another natural. We need forgiveness ourselves for so many things; It just seems wrong for us not to be willing to forgive. Besides, grudges are sooo heavy. It feels great to have put them down.

2. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Support other members of your sober community: This is a team effort. Log on every day. Spot some newbies and welcome them. Congratulate folks on goals achieved, commiserate with folks who’ve slipped up. Remember how good it feels to be on the receiving end? BOOM Community

1. Celebrate being Alcohol Free with generosity – Share a smile and a kind word: Try to treat everyone I come into contact with as a real person, not like a “transaction”. It makes a lot more difference than we might think.

---

If alcohol made you happy

if it cured boredom

if it solved your relationship issues

If it gave more then it takes

Would you be reading this?

So if you’re thinking about drinking but know that’s not the best idea come Talk to Us.

Learn More Here

https://boozemusings.com/chose-to-live-chose-to-give-sober-serenity-this-holiday-season/

---

This “Top Ten Post” was shared to the Boozemusings Community by @Ira from HSM. Thank you Ira for helping me smile through my first alcohol free year. A little bit of humor and common sense is always a great idea !

---

---