“Today, when overwhelmed by life, it’s still a big part of the formula for inner peace.”

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

“When on the roller coaster of emotional turmoil, I remember that growth is often painful. My evolution in the program has taught me that I must experience the inner change, however painful, that eventually guides me from selfishness to selflessness. If I am to have serenity, I must STEP my way past emotional turmoil and its subsequent hangover and be grateful for the continuing spiritual progress.”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“Let us open our minds to manifest the blueprint of our perfection. Created in the image and likeness of an all-powerful God, we have the capacity to be whole at all times. My birthright is perfect wholeness; my destiny is to live in strength & health. Today, Help me manifest to the magnificence with which You created me.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day "Only when the soul attains calm can there be true spiritual work done, and mind and soul and body be strong to conquer and bear all things. Peace is the result of righteousness. There is no peace in wrong doing, but if we live the way God wants us to live, quietness and assurance follow. Assurance is that calmness born of a deep certainty of God's strength available to us and in His power to love and guard us from all harm and wrong doing. Prayer for the Day Today, I pray that I may attain a state of true calmness. I pray that I may live in quietness and peace.”

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

What is this inner peace and inner calm you talk about? After a few years clean and sober, I’m still plagued by fears, doubt and insecurity. How do I get rid of this inner turmoil? I drove over to Stan’s house to discuss my problem.

Sitting down in his chair, he put his feet up. I sat across from him and asked, “How the hell can you be so relaxed, detached from all of your problems? I have a family to provide for, goals and a lot of problems to work out.”

He gave me his sly, warm smile & calmly said, “Steve, alcohol was our solution for everything. You’ve come a long way. Now, go make a list of all of your fears, self-pity and the problems that you have. Then let’s talk about it. It’s a big part of the formula for letting go and to freedom.”

I left and went to the park by the lake across from his house & wrote down all of my stuff. Later, I shared it with him, and more. It passed, and I stayed sober!

Today, when overwhelmed by life, it’s still a big part of the formula to peace.

Sitting at Cyclelogical Coffee yesterday with David, we didn’t have anything to write down. We enjoyed the blue sky, the pines, and an iced mocha. We shared and laughed about our craziness and journey sober.

At the noon mtg, the topic was The Promises and that, if or when disturbed, what to do. Everyone around the table shared what their solutions had been. Some had gone back to drinking & came back. I stayed afterwards with a couple of guys for 2 hours! The promise that "when any 2 are gathered in His name" came true once again. We all drove away, filled with love & gratitude.

Thank you for showing me what to do when I’m runnin’ on empty!