“Looking back, we can now see clearly how destructive & out of control we were.”

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

Does It Really Matter What Other People Think?

Like most shadow forces that propel us through life, anxiety about what others think can easily go unnoticed or unaddressed. In meditation, we discover that it doesn’t actually matter what others think. What matters is that we are building a pathway to feel at home within ourselves. To become comfortable enough to accept what’s right in front of us and to respond with equanimity and compassion; this is the key to personal freedom in the Spirit.

Adapted from Does It Really Matter What Other People Think?

On Liberation

Ramana Maharshi

The difficulty is that man thinks that he is the doer. But it is a mistake. It is the Higher Power that does everything and man is the tool. If he accepts that position, he is free from troubles. Otherwise he courts them.

Adapted from On Liberation

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day Do not dwell too much on the mistakes, faults, and failures of the past. Be done with shame and remorse and contempt for yourself. With God's help, develop a new self-respect. Unless you respect yourself, others will not respect you. You ran a race, you stumbled and fell, you have risen again, and now you press on toward the goal of a better life. Do not stay to examine the spot where you fell, only feel sorry for the delay, the shortsightedness that prevented you from seeing the real goal sooner. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not look back. I pray that I may keep picking myself up and making a fresh start each day.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Yesterday at Cyclelogical Coffee, discussing the 100 forms of fear, self-delusion and self-seeking that drive the negative force in my being, Dick B. had on a T-Shirt that said, “WHAT CHARACTER DEFECTS!” Before my separation from a life driven by the false power from drugs and alcohol, I was completely unaware of my influence on others.

The chapter Into Action describes us as “a tornado, roaring our way through the lives of others.” Looking back, we can now see clearly how destructive & out of control we were.

In sobriety, part of me is still deeply ingrained in old and false beliefs. Sharing the process of uncovering, discovering and discarding what doesn’t work is not an intellectual exercise; it’s continually, oftentimes painfully exposed in our journey. The gift of fellowship in recovery has been priceless; where else can one go to, as my friend Coz says, “open my kimono” and show you the real me?” Courage and strength to share has developed over time, and like it states in the story, "My Chance To Live, “ I have yet to find a place in the Big Book that says, “Now you have completed the Steps; have a nice life.” The program is a plan for a lifetime of daily living.”

My buddy David R. showed up and shared about his fly-fishing expedition. With a fishing guide, Dave and his buddy from 6th grade fished silver salmon in crystal clear waters at Rivers Inlet, BC. We talked about the opportunities afforded us in life sober; instead of hiding out in a closet or Motel 6, there’s a whole new life to live. Sharing these experiences with family and friends, being generous with our time and money is an opportunity I would have missed without God’s grace and love. Thank you.

At the noon Lunch Bunch Mtg, friends from the Valley showed up. Reading Bill’s Story, a member named Bill said when he was in Mazatlán looking for a meeting, he was asked if he was a friend of Bill’s? “I am Bill!” he said. Ha, aren’t we all?

At the 5:30 Men’s Stag, a friend coming back got his 24-hour Chip. Chuck H. with 60 years gave him a warm, welcoming smile. No judgement, just love. Hopefully, he finds the freedom we’ve been given: “Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!”

Thank you for the gifts to allow acceptance and the tools to continue to let go of old ideas, attitudes & actions; to grow into the beautiful, free Spirit we were all meant to be.