“I embraced the joy of the journey, far beyond what I could have planned.”

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

Take a moment and consider that you have been well taken care; that all your fears have been offset by My grace, and that I am present wherever I am. Let me learn to love as You do; that surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

Share your love, your joy, your happiness, your time, your food, your money gladly with all. Give out all the love you can with a glad, free heart and hand. Do all you can for others and back will come countless stores of blessings. Sharing draws others to you. Take all who come as sent by God and give them a royal welcome. You may never see the results of your sharing. Today they may not need you, but tomorrow may bring results from the sharing you did today. I pray that I may make each visitor desire to return. I pray that I may never make anyone feel repulsed or unwanted.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

God’s grace? A long time ago, I asked myself “why am I an alcoholic? What kind of God would do that to me? Who am I, and why me?” I remember calling my sponsor. He listened until I finished and asked me, “Steve, when did you decide to become an alcoholic?” I snapped back, “I didn’t. I just drank and used drugs like all my friends. Why me?” He said something I still use today to bring in God’s sense of grace, forgiveness, strength and Love. “Steve, it’s not your fault. But now that you know, and have been brought to the rooms of recovery, you know you’ve been given a solution. The journey is now up to you.”

Like Ebby’s response to Bill Wilson, “Why don’t you choose your own conception of God,” his statement hit me hard. I suddenly realized I had been given a Big Book, a meeting list, a fellowship and a sponsor to help me; or I could simply go back to drinking and using.

I didn’t, and so far, I haven’t, even through dark, scary and lonely times.

Sitting at the table with my family having lunch after exploring ruins from Butrint dating back from 400BC, once again, I embraced the joy of the journey, far beyond what I could have planned.

It wasn’t the real me who drank and used; today, I give thanks for the Spirit of Light that started being rekindled when I first met you.

Thank you, today, I know who and whose I am!