“Today, I know that’s the furthest from the Truth; I have a part in everything that happens.”

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

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Anonymous

“I must live in the world and yet live apart with God. I can go forth from my secret times of communion with God to the work of the world. To get the spiritual strength I need, my inner life must be lived apart from the world. I must wear the world as a loose garment. Nothing in the world should seriously upset me, as long as my inner life is lived with God. All successful living arises from this inner life.”

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“Prayer, meditation, spiritual study and uplifting fellowship are like Post-its we can paste on the screen of our consciousness. They help keep us on a spiritual path. We can put up inspiring pictures and quotes in our homes and offices. We can listen to music that nourishes our soul. Go to restaurants, movies and social gatherings that honor the presence of God. We can choose friends who uphold us on our spiritual path. It is within our power to build our lives on the values we choose. Step back often, take deep breaths, and check in with The Spirit. Today, help me to keep You in my mind and heart, that I may remember that I belong to The Light.”

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

“Each day is a day of progress, steady progress forward, if you make it so. You may not see it, but God does. God does not judge by outward appearance. He judges by the heart. Let Him see in your heart a simple desire always to do His will. Though you may feel that your work has been spoiled or tarnished, God sees it as an offering for Him. When climbing a steep hill, a person is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of the upward progress. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may persevere in all good things. I pray that I may advance each day in spite of my stumbling feet.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Meeting Fernando at the Noon North Scottsdale mtg, we laughed at some of the crazy ideas we’ve had during our 30-year friendship. Crazy stuff for sure!! The speaker gave a detailed & sincere talk, and we broke into groups to talk about our defects. Alan shared that he will soon celebrate 50 years in the program and still has all the same defects he had when he first came in; they just don’t take over and rule his life as much! We all related, and I shared that Charles Chirch had told me, “Steve, make friends with your character defects; they’re not just going away overnight.” After the mtg, Fernando and I shared how true that was.

Last night on our Men’s Zoom mtg, our friend Henry agreed to share on Concept VII. Brent joined in from Thailand, and his dog Bill W. looked right in the camera at us. He’s the coolest dog in the pack! Next, we learned that Concept VII was about Balance, Humility and how to avoid being reckless; guidelines for living without excessive use of our self-will.

I thought back to the story about an old coffee pot on Dr. Bob’s kitchen table. <therecoverystoryproject.com/blog/kitchen-table-conversations> Just 2 men, sitting together asking for a new Spirit to enter their hearts and to carry a message of hope..

At Gail's house making dinner, we laughed about some of our own struggles as a couple; I told her it was all her fault, of course! Today, I know that’s the furthest from the Truth; I have a part in everything that happens. Thanks for asking to come and meet for coffee, and for encouraging me to keep coming back, to break through the fantasy of being Grand Master or worst dog in the pack. But I still love a good fantasy!