“I was in the moment to capture all of the joy that was Blowin’ in the Wind, instead of being swept away and Gone With the Wind, ending up in the bathroom like in the old days.”

Maybe we're feeling out of sorts because we’re off our recovery path. We may be back into wanting people to see things our way, or to do things our way. We want affirmation. We want power. We want control. Take a couple of steps back. Connecting with the One who has all power, we remind ourselves that all problems are not our problems. All work is not our work. We can't have everything the way we want; we ask for help to do our part, and then let go of the rest. No matter how much time in the program we may have, letting go and letting God is still the formula for happiness, comfort & joy on the recovery path!

Am I really concerned with listening, or with altering the turmoil within? Listening itself is a complete act; the very act of listening brings its own freedom. If we get quiet & listen, and become aware of our conflicts & contradictions, without forcing them into any particular pattern of thought, perhaps they might altogether cease. When we constantly try to be this or that, to achieve a particular state, to capture one kind of experience and avoid another, the mind is everlastingly occupied with something; it is never still to listen to the noise of its own struggles & pains. Today, I will be simple; and not try to become something or try to capture some experience.

Faith! An openness to the truth, no matter what the consequences, no matter where it leads you and when you don’t even know where it’s going to lead you. That’s faith. Not belief, but faith. Your beliefs give you a lot of security, but faith is insecurity. You don’t know. You’re ready to follow and you’re open, you’re wide open. You’re ready to listen. And mind you, being open does not mean being gullible, it doesn’t mean swallowing whatever the speaker is saying. Oh, no. You’ve got to challenge everything I’m saying. But challenge it from an attitude of openness, not from an attitude of stubbornness. And challenge it all. Recall those lovely words of Buddha when he said, “Monks and scholars must not accept my words out of respect, but must analyze them the way a goldsmith analyzes gold – but cutting, scraping, rubbing, melting.”