“It didn’t take long for me to notice that after getting clean and sober how little alcohol and drugs were my problem!”

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

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“What in your life are you resisting? How much peace could you gain by letting what is just be? When we practice the art of allowing, you will come close to heaven as you discover the hand of God behind everything. Just for today, God, help me trust in the flow of life. Show me how to accept what is, with love and appreciation; that Your Divine order is operating here and now.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

Daily Reflections

“Having admitted my powerlessness and having made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him, I don’t decide which defects get removed, the order in which defects get removed, or the time frame in which they get removed. I ask God to decide which defects stand in the way of my usefulness to Him and to others, and then I humbly as Him to remove them.”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day The inward peace that comes from trust in God truly passes all understanding. That peace no one can take from you. No person has the power to disturb that inner peace. But you must be careful not to let in the world's worries and distractions. You must try not to give entrance to fears and despondency. You must refuse to open the door to distractions that disturb your inward peace. Make it a point to allow nothing today to disturb your inner peace, your heart-calm. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not allow those about me to spoil my peace of mind. I pray that I may keep a deep inner calm throughout the day.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

It didn’t take long for me to notice that after getting clean and sober how little alcohol and drugs were my problem! I was irritated, upset, depressed, anxious, and lost. What happened to that terrific drive, focus and effort to push ahead? Everything was getting in my way; I was so distracted I couldn’t function. I called my sponsor. He told me I was right where I was supposed to be, saying, “Steve, good job; you’re asking to be shown the way into a faith and reliance other than your own power. Check out theGolden Books series from Father John Doe. Pick one out, get quiet and read it.” Then he hung up! I picked the one titled The Golden Book of Resentments, because I resented everything, especially myself. It helped me with Step 3 and still works when I get distracted by the events and situations with family, friends and oftentimes, my partner Gail!

Last night, after a full day in the yard, I drove to the 5:30 Men’s Mtg. at Lunch Bunch to meet up with Brian. The topic was humility, the theme of Step 7. One guy said he was proud of his humility! Someone else said they had no clue what it was about but had a hard time accepting a compliment; I stated how impressed I was the God would shed his grace and light on me! Then another read the definition of humility from the dictionary! The laughter, self-deprecating humor and love was enough of a message to shower on a newcomer, proving that none of us had a clue what the hell it was, and it’s OK! This morning, on my call to Bruce, I told him Bruce Almighty is still alive and not to let him run the show again! Thanks for continuing to show me the way and to be of help to others.

Thank you for the gift of ALL 12 Steps. They are a lifesaver! Whatever I’m going through, help me to remember that Something bigger than me brought me here and is always available to work thru my pride, ego, shame, fear, resentments and unbelief!

Places Along the Way

5:30 Men’s Mtg. at Lunch Bunch