“We shook our heads and agreed that the blessings of being available and being of service paid off better than our own plans to manage and live life.”

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

When we fight the flow of life, the universe lets us know in a big way. Drama, emergencies, hefty surprises, health or relationship crises, changes beyond our control, and physical and emotional pain all serve to get our attention. Developing an attitude of appreciation, rather than resentment, will soften and transform otherwise difficult situations. As we become more attuned to the voice of Love, we can glide, not fight and stumble through life. Today, help me hear Your voice at the subtlest level; to expand my inner wisdom on the guidance of Your love and proceed from Your truth.

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

I believe that all sacrifice and suffering are of value to me. When I am in pain, I am being tested: Can I trust God, no matter how low I feel? Can I say, ‘Thy will be done,’ no matter how much I am defeated? If I can, my faith is real and practical. It works in bad times as well as in good times. The Divine Will is working in a way that is beyond my finite mind to understand, but I can still trust in It. I pray that I may take my suffering in my stride. I pray that I may accept pain and defeat as part of God's plan for my spiritual growth.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Leaving the house yesterday, I was excited to meet up with the Rabbi. He was instrumental in caring for both of my parents, helped guide me through their end-of-life journeys & presided over both of their memorial services. He is one of my core spiritual guides, replacing the drug connections, bartenders and barflys I had collected before sobriety practicing self-will.

We discussed relationships, the state of the world, and how God plants a Spark in our soul that grows if we nurture and feed it. He knows my story, and how that spark was ignited by recovery, hidden under pride, fear and shame. The phone rang and he said, ‘Steve, take it, you’re a Rabbi too; people are calling you for guidance. It was one of his former students, spun out again, moving to a rehab in Tucson!” We shook our heads and agreed that the blessings of being available and being of service paid off better than our own plans to manage and live life.

Walking away, grateful, I headed over to the Franciscan Renewal Center, where 35 men were gathered at the 5 Guys meeting. After his son shared, Tommy M. shared that the secret to sobriety was to go slow & show up; that he would celebrate 62 years on the 31st! Could it be that simple? Looking around the circle of men gathered, that seemed to be.

Later at lunch at Guidos, my 90-year-old buddy Walt shared with Fernando and I the exact same message:

Go with the flow, accept, turn it over and move forward.

Afterwards, I took some quiet time before driving over to Roaring Fork to meet Aaron & Gail for Happy Hour. The line was out the door waiting for the place to open. I was able to get a table outside; looking at all the drink specials, I turned the menu over for their food specials and famous Big Ass burger. Aaron showed up early, we got to catch up and share the ups and downs of the week. Then Gail arrived, and we had dinner and sat around for another hour talking. Wow.

Far better than life living the anthem from the Eagles song, Life in the Fast Lane. It was fun while it lasted; thank God, and thank you for the right formula to continue to ignite the Spark for a wonderful life!