“Somehow, someway, 42 years later, it's still a mystery; but deep down I know there is a Spirit that exists in each of us.”

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

Today’s Gift

“We used alcohol and other drugs to cope. We just wanted to feel normal, and we just figured it was the price we had to pay if we wanted to live. It took away our anxiety; it changed the experience by letting us escape our feelings, to get a buzz on, sort of numb out, and gave us the ability to function. At the end, it either got out of control, quit working, or we started to isolate. In rooms of recovery, we met others who had faced the same dead end; they shared that they found new coping skills to deal with their feelings & enjoy life. Today, in recovery, I celebrate my "new normal" - a life free of alcohol & drugs, free of a sense of doom, free to express my feelings, and to truly function again!”

Jesus: A Wisdom Teacher, A Wise Rabbi

Richard Rohr

“Parables, such as the stories Jesus told, are a genre belonging to mashal (מָשָׁל), a wisdom tradition in Judaism. Topics discussed are deeply personal, such as: What does it mean to die before you die? How do you go about losing your little life to find the bigger one? Is it possible to live on this planet with a generosity, abundance, fearlessness, and beauty that mirrors the Divine Spirit? In recovery from our addictions, we face similar questions; and in the fellowship, we see examples of people who have transcended their daily challenges. Somehow, by some mystery, they have grasped a way to live a purpose-filled life.”

Adapted from Jesus: A Wisdom Teacher

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day It is the flow of life through Spirit, mind, and body that cleanses, heals, restores & renews. Seek conscious contact with God more and more each day. Make God an abiding presence during the day. Be conscious of His spirit helping you. All that is done without God's spirit is just passing by. All that is done with God's spirit is life eternal. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be free and live in the stream of eternal life. I pray that I may be cleansed and healed by the Eternal Spirit.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

In my recovery journey, I received my 90 day “chip” and celebrated at the meeting. But afterwards, reality hit. I was still anxious, nervous, doubtful, and full of fear. How can I cope for the rest of my life without the buzz I used to get? The idea of just one beer, a Gin & Tonic, just one line of cocaine, just one pill, kept swirling around in my mind. I missed drugs & alcohol, the solution that I had relied on for 15 years. I even had a “drunk dream” waking up in a sweat.

I called my sponsor. Gary told me something I try to use & pass on to others. He said, “Steve, NORMAL people don’t dream, fantasize & miss stuff that almost killed them. You told me your addiction had cost you thousands of dollars, had backed you into cheap, dark hotel rooms, and had taken away your ability to work & be happy. These thoughts, dreams & illusions are just God’s way of reaching out to you. It's His way of affirming that you are a REAL alcoholic/addict, and that you now face a decision.

Are you willing to continue to ask for His help?”

Somehow, someway, 42 years later, it's still a mystery; but deep down I know there is a Spirit that exists in each of us.

It’s the extra gear to face, overcome & to achieve a better life; one with a Higher Love, far beyond a life with drugs and alcohol.