“leave some room in the margin for God!”

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

Reconstruction

“The reconstruction of my life is the primary goal in my recovery. Step Two started me on my journey to develop a spiritual life. Without the guidance and strength of a Higher Power, it would be impossible to proceed through the various stages of reconstructions. Proof comes to me when I realize that God did for me what I could not do for myself, by removing that gnawing compulsion to drink! Today, I must continue daily to seek God’s guidance. He grants me a daily reprieve and will provide the power I need for reconstruction.”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living

Thomas Keating

“This revelation of where to find God and who he might be is where? Right where you are! There’s no place to go to find God and no place not to go! Everyday life is where God is most active and where holiness is to be found.”

Adapted from The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day Do not become encumbered by petty annoyances. Never respond to emotional upsets by emotional upset. Try to keep calm in all circumstances. Try not to fight back. Call on the grace of God to calm you when you feel like retaliating. Look to God for the inner strength to drop those resentments that drag you down. If you are burdened by annoyances, you will lose your inward peace, and the spirit of God will be shut out. Try to keep peaceful within. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may do the things that make for peace. I pray that I may have a mission of conciliation.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Petty annoyances mentioned in today’s readings had me reflect on my journey in sobriety. Somehow, somewhere, I got the idea of how everything should work; how everyone should act and behave, how life should unfold! After a couple drinks and chemical appetizers, these irritations never bothered me – I was buzzed! Now sober, all of these irritations come back and tangle up my progress. I remember calling my sponsor many times to complain about the world; it’s toxic, not fair, etc. etc. Many years ago he asked me; “Steve, who put you in charge? Write down your fears and resentments; sharing them, asking for help will clear the pathway to a better life with the happy, joyous & freedom you hear about. How free do you want to be?”

It’s a continued process, with US politics, world immigration issues, traffic, how Gail and my family responds, and even how meetings are run! I get tangled up.

Meeting my former college roommate for breakfast ( I still can't even remember him living in that party house!) we caught up on life. His response was, “Don’t even bother with things you can’t control!” How can I do that? You told me to turn it over. I've been slowly learning.

Meeting up with Barry to discuss our upcoming Men’s Retreat in Pinetop and life in his world, he said a similar thing. “Steve, why get tangled up in all the BS that goes on; it never stops, just let it go. Or continue to try and tell everyone what to do! Tell me what Gail says!”

Walking into the MAAM Mtg., he teased me in front of others about the sky-blue shorts and shirt I was wearing! We all laughed; it broke the ice of my narrow black & white thinking. You told me life clean and sober was a broad highway.

At the IN & Out Burger place for a cheeseburger, an old aquaintance Lucas came up and asked me to join him and his buuy Johnathon. We shared about our journey sober; they said "leave some room in the margin for God!"

I love the fellowship in the Spirit! Today, when I’m tangled up in blue, either in apparel or in negative thoughts & feelings, thanks for the alternative to ride the waves happy, joyous & free - without a hangover, or worse!