“There’s no degree or fancy certificate; just a medallion.”

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

Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations

Hazelden Foundation

“For many of us, a time came when we said, "I'm not going to live this way anymore!" This was a deep, internal decision for change, even though we didn't know how it would come about or what our next step might be. We quit negotiating with God; we were willing to put all our energy into finding a better life. That kind of inner readiness finally made real change possible. Today, help me continue to step into a new world full of possibilities; that I may make better use of my faith and love through my actions.”

Led by the Light

Richard Rohr

“Blessed one. You part the tempestuous tide of my life shinning Your candle into the dark corners of my mind, banishing the shadows that have collected there. In this new day, I am ready to rise from the darkness. Help me to shed the burdens of my past and begin again, galvanized with faith, cleansed in Your light and Love.”

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

Meditation for the Day “You must be before you can do. To accomplish much, be much. In all cases, the doing must be the expression of the being. It is foolish to think that we can accomplish much in our personal relationships without first preparing ourselves by being honest, pure, unselfish & loving. We will not be given the opportunities until we are ready to be used by God to accomplish anything worthwhile. Quiet times of communion with the Higher Power is preparation for creative action. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may constantly prepare myself for better things to come. I pray that I may only have opportunities when I am ready for them.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

You told me early that my thinking, my being was “driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity.” Taking inventories of these motives & emotions, sharing them and trying to carry the message to others has been a key to Riding the Waves of life on life’s terms. It works!!! At lunch with Mike M., we talked not only about the gift of transformation and his completion of a Finance Degree from Harvard, but about the curriculum offered in the recovery. It is coursework for progress; AA 101 that we take over & over! There’s no degree or fancy certificate; just a medallion. More important, there is a priceless new inner freedom, to be shared with others looking for the Light.

It suddenly hit me. I could never have had this experience without an intervention of the Light in my life and a fellowship surrounding me with the course of action laid out in our recovery literature. This morning, I sent messages to both of my sons and spoke with my friend Joe C. to share some doubts and fears. The load was lightened and once again, it all came together: Simply continue to follow the plan laid out in the curriculum to escape the darkness to live in the Sunshine of Your Love!!