“There’s a hole in my life; and God knows I’ve tried to fill it with all of the wrong fillings.”

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

Parshat Beha’alotcha

My Jewish Learning

Parshat Beha’alotcha (פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ) is the Torah portion for today describing the choice between difficulty & opportunity. The English translation is, “When you raise up." Lashon hara (לָשׁוֹן הָרָה) literally means “bad talk.” This means that it is forbidden to speak, or to even think negatively about ourselves or someone else. Within each of us there is a search for meaning, to rise above difficulty and negativity. We open our hearts to the goodness of the soul we were given; the unlimited Spirit within!”

Blurring Boundaries

Richard Rohr Daily Meditations

Love causes us to cross boundaries & borders to discover one another, to support one another, to heal one another. When we do this, when we grow in affection and offer kindness to our neighbors. Loving those impossible people who are related to you might be what tests you most. We make a new kind of space between us; a space for discovery and curiosity, for learning and growing, and for sharing stories and being changed.

Meditation for the Day / Prayer for the Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Very quietly God speaks through your thoughts and feelings. Heed the Divine voice of your conscience. Listen for this and you will never be disappointed in the results in your life. Listen for this small, still voice and your tired nerves will become rested. The Divine voice comes to you as strength as well as tenderness, as power as well as restfulness. Your moral strength derives its effectiveness from the power that comes when you listen patiently for the still, small voice. I pray that I may listen for the still, small voice of God. I pray that I may obey the leading of my conscience.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Yesterday, as I opened my phone, countless calls, emails & texts regarding my brother’s estate flooded in. On the phone with my son Aaron, he shared how he got to feed the homeless with some orders that had been paid for but cancelled from DoorDash. It was a great story and an opportunity for a huge dose of gratitude for both of us. Powerful. Thank you so much, A-Meister! Keep riding the waves.

Again at Monicas, it was like a Seinfeld episode. Same table, same menu, but different topic – LOVE! David handed me 4 copies of Jonathan’s new book, appropriately titled STEP ZERO! There’s a hole in my life; and God knows I’ve tried to fill it with all of the wrong fillings. I love Danish; apple, strawberry, blueberry & cherry. What to fill my soul up with now? Both of my parents and only sibling are gone. I’m working through wrapping up Bob’s affairs, caught in the grief with anger, sadness and God knows what?

What is life all about, who am I? David sat & listened, and had some good advice to carry on to be positive and grateful.

I saw that challenges & problem solving are part of life. Thank God for a 12 Step solution to fill my Danish, rather than other creative & exciting things that come to mind!

Gratitude carried me the next few hours, until I walked into El Azteca to meet up with Dick B., one of the other sages on the Mountain. What a joy to sit face to face with another brother in recovery; you told me it works when all other measures fail. So true.

Thank you Dickaholic, for a terrific bitch and sharing session, with some smirks and sarcasm!

There were 10 others from the detox center looking for the solution. Reading Chapter to the Wives, we discussed how we can substitute husband, father, mother or BROTHER into the text, The solution applies! The sharing was raw, sad, humorous and real. One person’s trigger was a broken Modelo bottle. We laughed & reminded her it was a broken bottle!! You can cry if you want to. Breakdown is a continual part of life; it’s alright. With 12 Steps, there is ongoing recovery. Pain is part of life. Suffering is optional. Growth is mandatory!