“We left grateful that, just for today, we’re on the path of progress, rather than the Highway to Hell we both found ourselves on.”

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

“Rushing is a symptom of a sense of lack. The principle of abundance applies not only to money or things, but it also applies equally to time. If we live in an abundant universe, we will trust that we have enough time to do what we need to do; in the consciousness of peace, time becomes elastic. It will expand or contract to accommodate our purpose. A sense of peace creates miracles. Today, we ask to trust our Higher Power to help us relax and move through the day with a sense of ease and joy, knowing that we have enough time to do everything that’s put in front of us.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

The Essential Rumi

Coleman Barks

“Knock on your inner door. No other. Sloshing knee-deep in fresh riverwater, yet you keep wanting a drink from other people’s waterbags. Water is everywhere around you, but you see only barriers that keep you from water.”

Adapted from The Essential Rumi

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day “Hold your life in trust for God. Think deeply on what that means. Is anything too much to expect from such a life? Do you begin to see how dedicated a life in trust for God can be? In such a life miracles can happen. If you are faithful, you can believe that God has many good things in store for you. God can be Lord of your life, controller of your days, of your present and your future. Try to act as God guides and leave all results to Him. Do not hold back; go all out for God and the better life. Make good your trust. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may hold my life in trust for God. I pray that I may no longer consider my life as all my own.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

When I first heard the term “faith without works is dead” I thought it was just some old verse from the New Testament. Then I heard people say they were "powerless over people, places and things." What the hell does that mean? I called my sponsor, and he explained a couple of things that I still carry to this day. He said, “Steve, in Step 1, we admit we’re powerless over alcohol and, in our case, drugs as well. Now, we ask to have faith in the other Steps; when we come up against a powerless situation, the other 11 Steps will give us the power and intuition we need. Trust the process.” Then, once again, he hung up on me! I hated him for a long time.

Today, I love to use Step 2 as a doorway to the topic humility in Step 7. Not that I have any, but I'm willing. Instead of defiance, we’re asked to turn to reliance. On what? You told me if I Stick around, I’ll find out. Thank you.

Yesterday, meeting Dick B. at Cyclelogical Coffee, the place was jammed. We found a table and had coffee. Discussing our challenges, we focused on the common solution. Like you promised, most of the time, what used to be a hunch has now become part of our working mind. Yet, in some cases, we still say the wrong thing, have the wrong response, or offend those closest to us. We left grateful that, just for today, we’re on the path of progress, rather than the Highway to Hell we both found ourselves on.

At the Lunch Bunch Mtg., the topic was Spiritual Malady; as everyone shared, it was obvious that a spiritual awareness & connection is not an overnight matter. But it grows if I keep working all 12 Steps.

Later, having dinner at Mr. Zekes, one of our favorite waitresses greeted us and seated us at a corner table. Talking about the Spirit with Gail, we laughed about butterflies and the front row parking spot we seem to get that reminds us of my Mom. Thanks, God.

Spirit is all around; thanks for helping me bring It into my consciousness, rather than turn off on an unmarked road that turns out to be the Highway to Hell. It’s still a fun song to dance to, but I’m tired of crashing the car and ending up back at a Motel 6.