“Howard gave me his wonderful loving smile, and simply suggested I detach for a moment, and look at my thoughts.”

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

Stepping Stones: More Daily Meditations

Hazelden Foundation

“We all have strong feelings about our mothers and fathers, and what we learned or didn't learn from them. Some stand as great examples of how we would like to live. Some are negative examples that we want to avoid. And some of us never got to really know them. For most of us, it is a complicated mixture of all those things. *Today, I am grateful for what I received from my mother and father, and the ability to learn from all the others who have set examples in my life.”

The Hidden Work of Grace and Surviving Doubt

Richard Rohr

“Oftentimes, we reach a point where we think that God has abandoned us. If given room, contemplation will fire the soul in the spirit of love. It is nothing other than a secret, peaceful, loving inflow of God. There is no other way to go to prayer than to surrender to this sweet ease and breadth of spirit. If we try to engage to accomplish something, the soul will squander the goodness God instills in each one of us. We must reach the point where we are content with a loving attentiveness toward God, without agitation, without effort. Today, if I am experiencing the dark night of the soul, I will take time to embrace the peace and quietude that is beyond all understanding.”

Twenty Four Hours A Day

Hazelden Foundation

“We must keep trying to improve our conscious contact with God. This is done by prayer, quiet times & communion. Often all you need to do is sit silent before God & let Him speak to you through your thoughts. Try to think God's thoughts after Him. When the guidance comes, you must not hesitate; simply go out and follow that guidance in your daily work, doing what you believe to be the right thing. Prayer for the Day *I pray that I may be still and know that God is with me. I pray that I may open my mind to the leading of the Divine Mind.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Sitting here at the kitchen table this morning I reflected back to when I had no inner peace. I had been to many meetings, taken an inventory, even been to a retreat. Then, I heard Howard P. talk about meditation.

I said to myself, "So what is meditation really all about?"

At coffee one day, I asked him. Howard gave me his wonderful loving smile, and simply suggested I detach for a moment, and look at my thoughts. He then said they’re not me!

Howard continued, “Steve, deep inside, there is a Spirit; It’s been there forever; we just got lost in our old ideas, traumas, and efforts to survive on our own. I’m writing a book on it.”

Then he opened the 12x12 to Step 11, “There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer; what could be a fragment of what is called meditation, perhaps our very first attempt at a mood, a flier into the realm of spirit.” WOW. I said thank you, and left full of hope.

I was, and still, get a bit lost; thank you for a recovery that put my faith back in YOU; for the instructions, fellowship and primary purpose to put me in touch with Love!