“If you're going through a rough time, it may just be another new beginning.”

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

The Value of Life

“When the shadows of my past were placed in the light, I became thankful for the ‘design for living’ that the Twelve Steps provide. It helps me to handle the shock of who I was, who I am today, and who I’m becoming and growing to be.”

Adapted from Emotional Sobriety: The Next Frontier

The Varieties of Religious Experience

William James

“We all have a Higher Self that is perfect and pure. Does our lower part simply jump onto this Higher Self just as our small and alienated self is going to pieces? Anything larger will do, if only large enough to trust for the next step. The heart of this experience lies in giving our compulsive little selves a rest, realizing that a Higher Power has been there all along. These turning points involve acceptance of a certain nakedness and destitution, taking no thought for tomorrow.”

Adapted from The Varieties of Religious Experience

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Hazelden Foundation

Meditation for the Day When you call on God in prayer to help you overcome weakness, sorrow, pain, discord & conflict, God never fails in some way to answer the appeal. When you are in need of strength for yourself or for the help of some other person, call on God in prayer.The power you need will come simply, naturally, and forcefully. Pray to God not only when you need help, but also just to commune with Him. The spirit of prayer can alter an atmosphere from discord to one of reconciliation. It raises the quality of thought and word, and brings order out of chaos. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may bring peace where there is discord. I pray that I may bring conciliation where there is conflict.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Complaining one day to my sponsor, he said, “Just look at where you’ve been brought.” I thought for a moment and blurted out, “Yes, that’s what I’m complaining about. Bills to be paid, a nagging wife, stressed out with my job, and past debts to be paid. I’ve got more problems now that before!” He just laughed, and said, “Oh, did you forget being trapped in the motels, afraid to come out? The book says we were like a tornado; you couldn’t see it before, but now you have to deal with the mess it (you) created. Recovery and the 12 Steps will give you tools to walk through it and clean it up. We’ll be happy to refund your misery!” That wasn’t very comforting, but I think it’s the first time I said, “Show me what to do next!” I was lost; my design for living have failed utterly; so we got into the book, and I got busy repairing the wreckage from the storm of self-will fueled by alcohol & chemicals. So far, that 24-hour chip was only the beginning, but a start to a wonderful and fabuolus life.

Last night, walking into Whalers Village to meet my friend Kirk, the crowd was colorful, with the energy of tourists from all over enjoying the island. I walked up and shook my head. “How did we get here?” I asked.

My friend said, “By plane!” Haha....It was Something far bigger than a plane. This morning at the 7am K’ue Mtg., (together we’re strong) people in the circle had beautiful leis on, celebrating, 39 & 49 years clean & sober.

A newer man shared he had walked contemplating suicide and asked, “So what all the chairs for?” One of the guys setting up said, “It’s for an AA Mtg, do you want a seat?” He said yes and now has 15 months.

Again, the 24-hour chip is only the beginning; there are many challenges ahead. But using the 12-Step tools and the instructions in the book to build a new life are available, instead of reverting back to our old ways. If you're going through a rough time, it may just be another new beginning. All that matters is that you're here! Thanks for your demonstration that it works. It really does!