“The struggle for freedom from bondage, from whatever substance, behavior, false belief, or circumstance I struggle with has no expiration date.”

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

Daily Reflections

“Many false notions operate in false pride. Those who have walked the way for years – a day at a time – say that a God-centered life has limitless possibilities for personal growth. I thank my Higher Power for others in the Fellowship who aid n members to reject their false ideals. They challenged me, and others, simply to “Come To” – then, to “Come to Believe.” Today, I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief as I walk through this new day.”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

Falling into Grace

Adyashanti

“Suddenly this great revelation occurred where I realized that, simultaneously, I was both nothing and everything. I started to laugh and I thought, “My God! I’ve been searching for this for years, meditating for thousands of hours, writing dozens of notebooks—all this searching and all this struggle.” In that moment I realized that the enlightenment for which I was seeking was literally the space that I existed in. I hadn’t ever been far from the end of suffering. It had been an open door from the very beginning, from the first breath that I ever took. All I needed to do was continue to ask for help to walk through it!”

Adapted from Falling into Grace

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day To God, a miracle of change in a person's life is only a natural happening. There is no miracle in personalities too marvelous to be an everyday happening. But miracles happen only to those who are fully guided and strengthened by God. Marvelous changes in people's natures happen so simply, and they are free; but these miracles have been prepared for by days and months of longing for something better. They are always accompanied by a real desire to conquer self and to surrender one's life to God. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may expect miracles in the lives of people. I pray that I may be used to help people change.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Today’s readings made me think about the discussion I had with the concierge at our hotel in Santa Barbara. She said that she was ashamed that at 70 years old, she only had 2 ½ years sober. The struggle for freedom from bondage, from whatever substance, behavior, false belief, or circumstance I struggle with has no expiration date.

Like the literature says regarding Step 3, “the door may slam shut from self-will, but all we need is to pick up the key of willingness.” It’s a fact; it works if I simply pick up the key.

My self-will has not been erased. On the contrary, I’ve suffered at the expense of my pride, delusions, and self-pity. Yet, instead of calling the connection for whatever solution I used to use, Something the oldtimers taught me was to ask the One who resides in each of us for help. It keeps nudging at me. Faith, forgiveness, and letting go are all gifts of this new key.

For me, it was missing from my keychain for so many years. I was too busy using all of the other keys! No matter if you have 24 hours, 24 days or 24 years, it’s the same key. All I need to do is continue to ask for help to pick it up.

The Eagles song, “The Heart of the Matter” eloquently delivers the message of forgiveness; I interpret it as forgiveness of self and others. It’s the key that opens the door to new freedom. Thanks for the gift of experience, before and after, to give me hope and to provide hope for others on the path. No longer alone, we can ask to forgive, to let go and to pass it on.

Thank you for showing me how to Ride the Waves with this new key!