“Getting clean and sober at 51, it’s never too late for a new 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

Excerpt From God Calling

A. J. Russell

“Just live in the spirit of prayer. Simple tasks, faithfully done and persisted in, bring their own reward and are mosaics being laid in the pavement of success.”

Adapted from Liberation from the Ego’s Agenda

Richard Rohr

“The saying “to thine own self be true” refers to the inner self buried deep within the ego-consciousness that cries for appearance, power, prestige, and more possessions. Recovery allows us the opportunity to explore our fears, our anxiety, and our unhealed negative energy; to release all of it to the care of Divine Presence for transformation. The surrender of these false beliefs and idols is what is referred to as the God within.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

Meditation for the Day “I will try to make the world better and happier by my presence in it; to be on the side of good, in the stream of righteousness, where all things work for good. I will do my duty persistently and faithfully. I will be gentle with all people; to see their difficulties and help them find a solution to peace. I will pray to God to act as interpreter between me and the other person, to be part of the solution rather than add to the problem. Prayer for the Day Today, I pray that I may live in the spirit of prayer; that I may depend on God for the strength I need to help me to do my part in making the world a better place.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Yesterday morning, after a long walk in the woods with Gail, we came home to clean the cabin to prepare for friends arriving later this week. With the Masters on in the background, we ran to the TV at each burst of applause to catch the beauty of the tournament. Reflecting on watching the Masters with my dad as a kid, I reflected on wanting to wear that famous white jumpsuit. I was lucky to avoid wearing the orange jumpsuit from AZ. Dept. of Corrections! Ego, instincts gone astray is what alcohol and drugs gave me. I thought I would be a star, until I found myself trapped in the dark bottom of self-pity. Somehow, I found you. Scales of pride and prejudice began falling from my eyes!

Later at Eduardos & Terresa’s having a late lunch, we shared some of our misadventures. In between we took calls and messages from family and friends. My buddy Walter called back, celebrating his 91st birthday! Getting clean and sober at 51, it’s never too late for a new life.

Like Jackson Browne wrote, Doctor, my eyes; tell me what you see; I hear their (and my ) cries. Thank you, it's never too late for me!