“Today, like sunscreen, I must continue to apply it as needed, or suffer in the throngs of fear, resentment & despair.”

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 Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Anonymous

“You not only can live a new life, but you also can grow in grace and power and beauty. Reach ever forward and upward after the things of the Spirit.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day

A Deep Breath Of Life

Alan Cohen

“To start an automobile, the key is a very small piece of metal; minuscule in comparison to an engine that drives the vehicle. Yet, all of the power depends on the flick of a small key. We don't need to know the how of it, but me must be willing for an Unfathomable Force to work wonders in our lives. How to start? Simply look back at all of the wonders so far! Today, I surrender to Your wisdom and strength; to do for me that I cannot do for myself, and to have the universe support me to New life in faith.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath Of Life

Meditation for the Day / Prayer for the Day

Meditation for the Day You not only can live a new life, but you also can grow in grace and power and beauty. Reach ever forward and upward after the things of The Spirit. In the animal world, the very form of an animal changes to enable it to reach that upon which it delights to feed. Your whole character changes as you reach upward for the things of The Spirit -- for beauty, for love, for honesty, for purity, and for unselfishness. Reaching after these things, your whole nature becomes changed to best receive and delight in the wonders of the abundant life. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may reach forward and upward. I pray that my character may be changed by this reaching upward for the things of The Spirit.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

I’d had enough drinking and using, but now what? I’ve read my book, been to countless meetings, received a few medallions for time clean and sober, yet I’m still struggling. After reading the chapter, Dr. Alcoholic Addict in the 3rd Edition, it hit me. I was just like Dr. Paul. I had been the chief critic; I could see the flaw in everything and everyone. I had accomplished & achieved some measure of success but was trapped by the illusion of a life based on self-reliance. I remember calling my sponsor, who said, “This is great news, Steve! Do you think there might be a Power greater than self-reliance; a power greater than drugs & alcohol?"

I thought for a moment and said, “Why of course there is. But how and where do I find it?” He laughed out loud and said,

“Maybe you already have!” Looking back, he was right. I had discovered a solution!

Today, like sunscreen, I must continue to apply it as needed, or suffer in the throngs of fear, resentment & despair.

Last night at Robbie & Donna’s we caught up on our lives. Robbie had been my college roommate, living at an old party house back at Ohio State; many memories are still quite fuzzy! Gail and Donna laughed and scratched their heads at some of our crazy adventures. Who lives like that? How did we not die? There have been so many miracles; are they just coincidences? We have survived & thrived, raising families and we are living our best lives! What happened???

The song Start Me Up used to be an anthem to get loaded!

Thank you for starting my life up again with the keys of willingness, and a faith in a Higher Power.

And thank you for the Miracle of Recovery. I think I’ll continue reading books about spiritual awakenings, gratitude and giving back, rather than chasing an illusion in clubs and dark alleys, from Columbus to Colombia!