“The journey in sobriety is certainly that, and more!”

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

Stepping Stones: More Daily Meditations

“The wisdom of hope in the face of trouble is a fundamental principle of the spiritual path. We expect to have problems; we've already come through many of them! Our awakening means that even in the darkest night, we can expect that dawn always comes. We accept the darkness, but we are not defeated by it. We rise above it with trust in our Higher Power to lead us toward the inevitable light. Today, let my spiritual awakening continue to open the door to a deeper trust in YOU to lead me to a better future.”

A Woman's Spirit: More Meditations

“Our passage into a new stage of development was initiated by our desire to stop drinking or using addictive substances. The values we lived by then no longer fit us. We shed our old skin and grow a new one that reflects our current values. On a spiritual path, we open our hearts and minds to the stage of becoming, of trying to fulfill our changing dreams and aspirations. What we can accomplish at one stage of life is different from what we can handle at another. An overall design is being shaped by all our endeavors, past and present. The more willing we are to shed yet another skin, the more centered, stable, and spirit-filled we'll become.”

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day The spiritual life has two parts. One is the life apart, the life of prayer and quiet communion with God. You spend this part of your life apart with God. Every day your mind can be set in the right direction so that your thoughts will be of the right kind. The other is the life impart - imparting to others what you have learned from your own meditative experience. The victories you have won over yourself through the help of God can be shared with others. You can help them by imparting to them some of the victory and security that you have gained in your life apart. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may grow strong from my times apart with God. I pray that I may pass on some of this strength to others.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Early on, I was inspired by seeing bumper stickers affirming sober living. “One Day at A Time”; “Easy Does It”; “First Things First”; “Sober and Crazy.” Affirmations that I was no longer alone. Yet, I had no idea how I was going to get through each day, the problem de jour, as my friend Flo G. called it. In the meetings, I was intrigued and inspired by others; I heard the saying, “Fasten your seat belt; it’s a hell of a ride.” Back in the 60’s & 70’s Disneyland had different levels of rides. The term “it’s an e-Ticket Ride” described the most exciting and scary ones! The journey in sobriety is certainly that, and more!

Yesterday at Cyclelogical Coffee, David and I pulled up at the same time to have coffee and discuss the latest twists and turns in life. Death, suicide, sickness, marriage and divorce, renovating cars, as we ourselves get renovated, it’s all part of the journey.

At the Lunch Bunch Mtg, we read the story A LATE START; I’ve read the Big Book a thousand times but did not remember this one. The author started with the journey into darkness and despair, and ended with promises into freedom, resulting in the gift of a safer, happier journey through life. Wow, that’s certainly been my experience.

Later, at the 5:30 Men’s mtg., we read Daily Reflections about “the Great Reality deep down within us.” I shared that when I was new, puzzled about the whole “God thing” someone said you can make a doorknob your Higher Power. I thought, “how stupid!”; years later, it dawned on me that it's perfect if we just open the door! A whole new world awaits.

Today, if you’re in the dark, just ask for help to open the door to a new dimension of Love and a whole new world in color!