“You told me to listen to the music until I could understand the words.”

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 Sound and Music of Silence

“I long to spend time in silence, but the busyness of life prevents it. I have this committee in my head that likes to run the show, especially when I try to quiet my mind, body, and spirit. With the help of art, friends, and family, the Holy Spirit leads me to music to quiet my soul. Is this a wrong way to interior silence? Images of angels playing the harp and the trumpet flash in my mind; the book The Music of Silence is opened on my table. The famous Simon and Garfunkel song “The Sound of Silence” lives in my head whenever I hear it. This is how the Holy Spirit has worked in my life. It is my path.”

Adapted from The Sound and Music of Silence

Music Unlocks the Door to Divine Connection

“We can’t see music, we can’t grasp it in our hands, but we feel it working through us and in the world. As such, music represents our connection to the divine, to each other, to everything. Music is a wordless prayer that opens up our imaginations to the divine source of all life. Music can open our ears and our hearts; prayer chants open the gates of heaven; melodies unlock divine mysteries. As the prophet Elisha declared, “And when the musician played, the hand of God was upon him.”

Adapted from Music Unlocks the Door to Divine Connection

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day How do I get strength to be effective and to accept responsibility? By asking the Higher Power for the strength I need each day. It has been proved in countless lives that for every day I live, the necessary power shall be given me. I must face each challenge that comes to me during the day, sure that God will give me the strength to face it. For every task that is given me, there is also given me all the power necessary for the performance of that task. I do not need to hold back. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may accept every task as a challenge. I know I cannot wholly fail if God is with me.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

The lyric “I found a love for me” describes my reaction to my first real drink. Purple passion at the fraternity house, mixed up in a large rubber garbage can, was my fix! It was 1968; the times were changin, and I certainly was. The buzz was electric. I found a love! I had no clue or expect that it would become an uncontrollable monster. 15 years later, hiding out in Motel 6’s in New Mexico, I was dazed, confused, frightened and lost. The good times were over.

Walking into a 12 Step meeting seemed a step down. I had experienced some great times, acclaim, and success. How was this going to help me? You told me to listen to the music until I could understand the words. The music was LOVE; I would play cassettes in my car and turntable at home, blasting tunes from my record collection that gave me hope. Slowly, I began to hear the words and hope in recovery. If you could recover, maybe I could too!

Yesterday, at Cyclelogical Coffee, I sat with a friend celebrating 100 days clean and sober. We shared some great stories and adventures from the past, our commonality hitting bottom, and the new hope from the strange new music, message & fellowship in recovery.

Music is a universal language; whether rock ‘n roll, country, classical or opera, let the lyrics and music fill your soul. It’s certainly far better than what I was filling it with before! Thank you for beautiful music.