“Before meeting you, my canvas was painted black; the 12 Steps have provided me with a beautiful 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

Am I learning to take it slowly?

Hazelden Foundation

Easy Does It. First Things First. One Day at a Time. Patience. It is worth waiting for, striving for, and working to develop a relationship with our Higher Power. It cannot all be done overnight. Let's count each day as a new opportunity. Higher Power, I pray to meet each day with patience and to grow closer to You.

Learn to Have a Little Patience

Chabad.org

How many times have I felt like giving up? How often have I not given someone or something else a chance? The word in Hebrew for “patience” is savlanut (סבלנות). The root word for savlanut is sevel (ס-ב-ל): “to bear, to endure, suffer.” It’s not a coincidence! Looking back, most of the things I worried about no longer exist. Yet at the time, they caused undue anxiety and stress. Today, may I have patience to trust and to let GOD take care of the outcome.

Meditation for the Day

Hazelden Foundation

I must remember that in spiritual matters I am only an instrument. It is not mine to decide how or when I am to act. God plans all spiritual matters; today, it is up to me to make myself fit to do God's work. All that hinders my spiritual activity must be eliminated. I can depend on God for all the strength I need to overcome those faults that are blocks. I must keep myself fit, so that God can use me as a channel for His spirit.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Yesterday, on the way to meet up for my brother’s birthday lunch, my son Aaron texted that today would have been my Dad’s 100th birthday!

A coincidence? Wow, I pulled over and sat quietly in the car. Reflecting on family get-togethers, holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, through all of the ups and downs, good and bad times, Dad was always there.

Coming into recovery, you told me to do the work, and to trust the process. In the movie Field of Dreams, the theme was “build it and they will come.”

So far, that has been true. It has worked out!

Putting up the balloons for Bob reminded me of doing the same thing for celebrations for both of my sons, for Gail, and for Mom and Dad. Many times, throughout the years, in despair, I wanted to quit; to give up because life was too hard. Things were just not going my way. Yet, through all the years, you’ve given me the encouragement and tools to trudge through the process of living life one day at a time.

When Aaron, Bob and Micah walked in, once again, it was magical. We enjoyed sharing many stories together.

Later, at Dave and Tina’s for dinner, Dave reminded us that we had met over 41 years ago at a Big Book meeting at the Valley Alano Club.

What was it I had been so worried about? You had told me "This too shall pass" and it has! All is well.

Before meeting you, my canvas was painted black; the 12 Steps have provided me with a beautiful life.

As much fun as singing the song, it’s not the way to live a good life.

Thank you for telling me to trust the process, to pass it on, and to keep coming back!