“Once detoxed, I must now develop this inner Spark to build into a flame to carry me through my challenges.”

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

Addiction Is Not a Disease

Constantin Patrascu

Alcohol and narcotic addiction is often not the root problem, but rather a coping mechanism for another problem. Working with hundreds of clients with various problems to overcome challenges in life, drinking and using drugs represents the solution. When they stop working, then what? The only solution is to tap into and develop the hidden inner core; our yet unknown, deepest, most valuable asset.

Adapted from Addiction Is Not a Disease

Remaining in Love - The Mysticism of St. Francis

Richard Rohr

To arrive at a deep & mystical vision, I must know that I am, at least in part, the very thing I am seeking. God cannot be found “out there” until God is first found “in here,” within ourselves. Then we can almost naturally see God in others - and in all of creation too! What we seek is what we are. The search for God and the search for our true self are finally the same search. Francis’s prayer, “Who are you, O God, and who am I?” is one of the most honest prayers we can offer.

Adapted from Richard Rohr Daily Meditations

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day Embrace life to it more abundantly - spiritual, mental, physical, abundant life - joyous, powerful life. These we can have if we follow the right way. Not all people will accept from God the gift of an abundant life, a gift held out free to all. Not all people care to stretch out a hand and take it. God's gift, the richest He has to offer, is the precious gift of abundant life. People often turn away from it, reject it, and will have none of it. Do not let this be true of you. Prayer for the Day Today, I pray that I may hasten to accept the gift of abundant spiritual life. I pray that I may live the good life to the best of my ability.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Many people drink and use recreational drugs occasionally. Why had I lost control, fell so hard and deep into the dark pit, barely able to function? I first heard the term “disease” early in recovery; the speaker shared that he suffered a 3-fold disease. And that it wasn’t his fault! He said, “Like Dr. Silkworth explains in the Doctor’s Opinion, I suffer from a physical allergy, a mental obsession, and a spiritual malady. I related: once I had just one drink or drug, it set up a physical craving; my system wanted more. Mentally, I was obsessed with the thoughts of getting more; the anxiety set up inside was beyond my control.

As far as the Spiritual Malady part, I had no contact with an inner resource, wisdom, spark or power inside of me. I remember calling my sponsor, asking what this was all about. He said, “Steve, we suffer from a dis-ease; we are ill at ease; until we get the next fix, be it a drink or drug, we’re not at peace. That is not our fault; it’s a physical & mental craving beyond our control. Addiction has taken over; we are powerless. What you experienced at your first meeting was connection & hope; that’s the answer to the Spiritual Malady. You have tapped into an unsuspected inner resource. Let’s read Appendix II, Spiritual Experience, and see if it doesn’t make sense.” I opened my book, and there it was! In the Jewish religion, the Eternal Light(Ner Tamid) above the pulpit represents the eternal spark inside each being; an eternal light of goodness and hope, often referred to as the Soul or Holy Spirit. Once detoxed, I must now develop this inner Spark to build into a flame to carry me through my challenges. Listening to how other alcoholics and addicts developed this flame, this most important connection has been the key to a life beyond my imagination. And, to remain clean and free, I must pass on my experience, just like I used to pass on the party and drug connections I’d once taken pride in!

I was wasted on the way; now, today, I don’t have to be a pretender. Thanks for the priceless gift of a clean and sober life!