“How & why have I been given such a great life?”

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

Daily Reflections

Our whole treasured philosophy of self-sufficiency had to be cast aside. This had not been done with old-fashioned willpower; it was instead a matter of developing willingness to accept these new facts of living. Then we were free! Today, I can be free of my old enslaving self. After a while I recognize, and believe in, the good within myself. I see that I have been loved back to recovery by my Higher Power, who envelopes me. My Higher Power becomes that source of love and strength that is performing a continuing miracle in me. I am sober & grateful.

Adapted from Daily Reflections

Falling into Grace

Adyashanti

In order to find the end of struggle, we have to find a state of consciousness that’s totally natural, that doesn’t fight against our inner or outer environment. That’s what I call “aware spirit,” or “awake spirit.” It’s an awake emptiness. That may sound abstract but, simply put, it’s the openness to a lived sense of not knowing. What are you when you don’t define yourself? What becomes of the past, of the present, or of the future when you don’t go into your mind to think about it? It’s not so difficult to have a taste of this, to get a feel for this openness and ease. But don’t be satisfied with just a fleeting moment of this state of being. This is the doorway in. Dive fully into this openness and avail yourself of the intimacy found there, in not knowing.

Adapted from Falling into Grace

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day Dwell for a moment each day in a secret place, the place of communion with God, apart from the world, and thence receive strength to face the world. Material things cannot intrude upon this secret place, they cannot ever find it, because it is outside the realm of material things. When you abide in this secret place, you are under the shadow of the Almighty. God is close to you in this quiet place of communion. Each day, dwell for a while in this secret place. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may renew my strength in quietness. I pray that I may find rest in quiet communion with God.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Yesterday, I drove down to see the ’67 Vette. Bud & Irene Stock have built Select Auto Body to be one of the best repair shops in Phoenix; Bud’s ’70 Hemi Cuda has won best of show at many car shows in AZ. We walked over to the Vette; the shell of the body was still off the frame. It’s been since January 4th; Bud said the new front end is coming September 28th!

“Bud, it’s been 9 months! I can’t believe I had it at Run to the Pines last year where it got an honorable mention.” We both laughed, and he said, “Just wait. It will be better than ever.” That’s similar to the promise you gave me when I first got sober. It’s taken a lot more than 9 months!

At my house last night with my son Aaron, so many memories came back of dinner with my 2 sons and times with my brother. The photo on the table of Aaron with my parents was classic. He remembered the date and time it was taken – at the Waterfront restaurant in Maui in 1996 for Aaron's 15th birthday! Memories traveling with my family came back like it was yesterday. Thank you. How & why have I been given a great life?

This morning, I got up at 4:45am to be on the "How Bad Do You Want It" zoom mtg. to hear my friend Morris share. A guy from Connecticut who sponsored Randy Howes was on and told great stories about Randy, Dan, George, Steve, and Peter. Randy setting up the chairs perfectly at the Friday Night Speakers Mtg. in Scottsdale. Morris shared more about his journey; we stayed on the zoom an extra hour, sharing other memories. So powerful.

You guys have given me a life, worth living and sharing memories from the past, stories from the present, and hope for a brighter future. Like the reading said, “free of the old enslaving past” and "to find a new state of consciousness." How many times do I ask why, turning inside out? Thanks for an answer to my questions and a solution to all of my problems, one day at a time!