“normal is a setting on a washing machine.”

Three readings. A song that says the rest. And inspiration for whatever this day is here to teach.

A lone surfer riding inside a great curling wave

Read — the readings that opened the day

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“Many of us have mastered drama, emergency, lack, worry, and sabotaged relationships. We are able to take a situation with great potential and find a way to undermine it—that is truly mastery! Now we must take the skills we have used to hurt ourselves and others, and apply them to healing. In recovery, we are called to harness the force of love and build a new life connected to our Higher Power, rather than the life we fear. Just for today, God, let us manifest Your gifts to make my life and the world a magnificent place. You have imbued me with goodness; let it shine!

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

Letting Go

Richard Rohr

“The prophet Ezekiel says: “I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you…. You shall be my people and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:26–28). This is the organ transplant that we all long for, the interior religiosity that all spirituality seeks.”

Adapted from Daily Meditations

A Simple Path

Mother Teresa

"The fruit of silence is PRAYER. The fruit of prayer is FAITH. The fruit of faith is LOVE. The fruit of love is SERVICE. The fruit of service is PEACE."

Adapted from A Simple Path

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day “In the final analysis, it is through the grace of God that any real change in human personality takes place. I have to rely on God's power; anything I accomplish is through His help. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may work for God and with God. I pray that I may be used to change human personalities through God's help.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

“How did I get here? along with “Why me?” were questions I used often. Manifested by poor choices, insane thinking, and demands for living I thought were “normal” I hit a bottom. I was supposed to manage well, I was supposed to be happy, people were supposed to like me. I called my sponsor, and we had a long talk. He told me, “Steve, normal is a setting on a washing machine. Sobriety and living on Faith is a journey of letting go, of trusting the process. Write down all of your expectations, insecurities, and disappointments again, and let's go over them. Thanks God for putting sponsors & mentors in my life to navigate the ups & downs and speed bumps in life, to connect with a Higher Power, to open the door to true purpose.

Today, the questions: how did I get here? & why me? are filled with gratitude and wonder, with a deeper desire to keep trusting the process and to carry the message.

If not for You, I would have never found the door.