“All I had to do was slow down, get comfortable with the changes, and do the next right thing.”

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

Daily Reflections

The longer I chased these elusive feelings with alcohol and/or drugs, the more out of reach they were. However, by applying fellowship with others trying to recover, I found a new and magnificent new life available to me. Like a butterfly trying to escape the cocoon, the flight from addiction is not an easy one. It truly does “get better” - one day at a time. The warmth, the love and the freedom to be myself is a gift that grows with time. Just for today, God, help me trust the process my mind & body is going through; the journey to a new world of freedom and happiness to be the person I truly am.”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day “With Your help I can make it. I must learn not to do things at the wrong time, or before conditions are right. It is always a temptation to do something at once, instead of waiting until the proper time. So many times, relying on the power of alcohol and/or drugs, I’ve lacked balance and timing. In the momentous decisions and crises of life, even with the smallest situations of life, help me ask for Your loving guidance. Today, help me to pause and ask for the right thought & action before rushing in on my own. Prayer for the Day I pray that I learn to rely on Your Love, Your strength and Your power; that I may delay action until I feel that I am doing the right thing. I pray that I may not overreact & rush in alone.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Why do I feel this way, why aren’t things changing faster? I used to be smart, accomplished, and effective.

I had attained recognition & awards; I thought I was on my way to greatness. Doubt, fear & self-pity crept all around me;

I was clean & sober for 3 years. I called my sponsor.

He said something most profound. “It’s normal to be in a rush, in a hurry to try & manage. That was our old way of living for a long, long time.; it takes time to change. You’re growing in learning to let go; keep up the good work, things will work out. They have for me; why shouldn’t things work out for you?” Huh, he had a point.

All I had to do was slow down, get comfortable with the changes, and do the next right thing. It's worked, but it's still difficult.

40 years later, my friend Barry Z. called me and said,

"Hey Steve, Mel and I were driving, and the Billy Joel song “Big Shot” was playing, and we thought of you!” He was right; I always wanted to be the big shot, and sometimes still do! But then he threw more salt in the wound.

“Steve, you have lots of patience, you know why? You’ve never used any!” I screamed, "FU, Barry" and then we all laughed!

Help me to trust the changes today, to ride the waves as they come; not to rush in alone to manage, control and conquer each task or challenge; to trust Your wisdom, Your love and Your Spirit even more!