“But the more I learn to let go, to let God, to Live & Let Live, the better life is.”

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 Daily Meditations

Hazelden Foundation

Once the fog of alcohol and drugs dissipates, many of us discover the false belief that we must either be perfect or we are unacceptable. We can write down where our feelings of shame came from; then we can share and discard them to be free of such unhealthy logic. We need to break the illusion of perfection. Using our intuition rather than always following our rigid rules to live improves the recipe for living life with gratitude and joy. If we make mistakes, we can learn from them and move on. Many of the most ingenious inventions and breakthroughs in all fields came not by rigidly following rules, but by following an inner feeling. Today, I will be open to unlimited possibilities in thinking and in living my life.

The Spirit of Aliveness

Richard Rohr

When we open up space for Your Light, and let Spirit fill that space within us, we begin to change. As we continue to open our hearts, our world gets brighter. Today, I open my heart to believe in the Light; to allow Spirit deep inside to bring peace & compassion, love & joy to all who are and have been present in my life.

Meditation for the Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

I will try to help others. I will try not to let a day pass without reaching out an arm of love to someone. Each day I will try to do something to lift another human being out of the sea of discouragements into which he or she has fallen. My helping hand is needed to raise the helpless to courage, to strength, to faith, to health. In my own gratitude, I will turn and help others struggling in addiction with the burden that is pressing too heavily upon them. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be used by God to lighten many burdens. I pray that many souls may be helped through my efforts.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

I remember after a few months in recovery, I was in a panic. There is so much to manage. Why can’t I manage it all? I’m sober, WTF? I’ll never have a good life again. I used to be so free, now I’m trapped. I called my sponsor. He laughed & said, “Great. Welcome to your next bottom!” I was silent for a minute, then screamed “what the F are you talking about? I’m sober and things are worse.” He simply told me to go back to the 1st Step. “Steve, see the dash between being powerless over alcohol & not being able to manage? With or without alcohol, we desperately need Steps 2 & 3 and the rest of the steps, just like we needed another drink or drug. Now, apply the Steps to manageability. Who are you going to let manage things?”

Yesterday, sitting at Cyclelogical Coffee with Dick B. we talked about life. Oh, how we both loved to manage & control, to be in charge. Yet today, we are learning to live life, enjoying it with greater simplicity and with much joy. Then, my friend David joined us to add his old-timer flavor & experience to the discussion. “Dick, has Steve told you about his agenda?!!” We all laughed; it was true. My “agenda” to manage everything still crops up. But the more I learn to let go, to let God, to Live & Let Live, the better life is. I’m living life, not managing it!

At the 6pm BB meeting at Veterans Village, we read Working With Others. Lots of newcomers were there, fidgeting about living life clean & sober. They reminded me of how serious I used to be, how much I thought I had to manage and control everything.

Thank you for “a design for living that works.” A way to discard my old ideas, to continue to let go; to enjoy each moment, rather than hanging on to the quiet desperation of my old ways.