“You told me early on that my instincts gone astray were my primary problem, and that alcohol & other additives were my solution.”

“All of us have this fearful, child-like aspect as part of our being. We can’t escape it; treating it unkindly creates more suffering for us, but we can learn to show it love. Compassion is the most appropriate response to pain, whether physical or mental; whether ours or someone else’s. During times of chronic distress, I’ve found that I simply had to keep turning back toward the painful feelings, over and over again, until whatever crisis I was experiencing had passed. Letting Love in is the greatest healer. Once we’ve practiced turning toward our pain and offering it care, we find that mindful compassion becomes a conduit for wisdom & other inner resources that we sometimes aren’t aware we had.”

“Why do we have this gift and yet not realize it? The gift is objectively already within, and yet has to be desired and awakened by the person. But you never know that it is within until after it is awakened! This is another paradox. Faith is often clarified and joy-filled hindsight — after we have experienced our experiences. The path ahead demands walking in trust, risk, and various degrees of darkness. Remember in the darkness what you once experienced in the light. The path ahead will always be a necessary mixture of darkness and light.”

“A Course in Miracles explains that the fear to look within is not a fear of the darkness, but a fear of the light. If we stopped running, we would have to confront the things that frighten us; it’s only then we discover that on the other side of the shadow is the light. If you look yourself squarely in the eye, you will not find fear, but goodness. Today, God, help me slow down enough to know Your presence; to be still and touch the Peace You give. In quiet I find the God within me.”

“I will sometimes go aside into a quiet place of retreat with God. In that place, I will find restoration and healing and power. I will plan quiet times now and then, times when I will commune with God and arise rested and refreshed to carry on the work which God has given me to do. I know that God will never give me a load greater than I can bear. It is in serenity and peace that all true success lies. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may strengthen my inner life, so that I may find serenity. I pray that my soul may be restored to quietness and peace.”