“Sharing the giving of love, teaching values of family, and friendship is so beautiful.”

Many of us puzzle over what is a spiritual awakening. I tended to look for a miracle, something dramatic and earth-shattering. But what usually happens is that a sense of well-being, a feeling of peace, transforms us into a new level of awareness. That's what happened to me. My inner turmoil disappeared and I entered into a new dimension of hope, love and peace. I think the degree to which I continue to experience this new dimension is in direct proportion to the sincerity, depth and devotion with which I practice the Twelve Steps of recovery!

Adapted from Daily Reflections© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Gratitude, the simple and profound feeling of being thankful, is the foundation of all generosity. I am generous when I believe that right now, right here, in this form and this place, I am myself being given what I need. Generosity requires that we relinquish something; impossible if we’re not glad for what we have. Otherwise the giving hand closes into a fist & won’t let go.

Adapted from The Essential Practice of Giving

“Carl Jung inscribed over his doorway, Vocatus Atque non Vocatus Deus Aderit (Invoked or not, God is still present). We can call this grace, the indwelling Holy Spirit, or just evolution toward union, whether God is formally acknowledged or not. French priest and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin writes: “Love is the most mysterious & unknown energy in the universe. It’s this center drawn to that center; this person drawn to that person. There is no explanation for this core energy of life; this energy is deeply personal, yet whimsical. God alone, who is absolute Love, is completely personal and ineffable intimacy. Love forms every star, every atom. Even consciousness is born of Love; our mind is not intellect alone, but includes the body, our senses and our emotional life.”

Adapted from Love Is the Source of All

Meditation for the Day “Give something to those who are having trouble, to those whose thoughts are confused, something of your sympathy, your prayers, your time, your love, your thought, yourself. Then give of your own confidence, as you have had it given to you by the grace of God. Give of yourself and of your loving sympathy. Give your best to those who need it and will accept it. Prayer for the Day God, help me to remember that the giving of advice can never take the place of giving of myself. I pray that as I have received, so may I give, that I may have the right answer to those who are confused.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day© 1975, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved.