“From rushing around trying to manage everything, my life has slowly changed to being of service, focusing on just what’s put in front of me.”

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

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“Devote the beginning of your day to self-renewal. Feed your soul; pray or meditate, practice tai chi or yoga, walk in nature, play music, dance, read uplifting words, or share meaningful talks with friends. Feed your soul. The time you invest will pay for itself a thousand-fold. Again, before you close your eyes to go to sleep, be with God. Feed your soul; it’s your most important meal of the day. Nourished by Your spirit, my heart is whole; You make all the difference in my life and my world.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

A PROGRAM FOR LIVING

“I lacked serenity. With more to do than seemed possible, I fell further behind, no matter how hard I tried. Worries about things not done yesterday, fear of tomorrow’s deadlines denied me the calm I needed to be effective each day. Before taking Steps 10 & 11, I tried to focus on God’s will, not my problems and to trust that He would manage my day. It worked! Slowly, but it worked!”

Adapted from Daily Reflections

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation For The Day “Lay upon God your failures, mistakes and shortcomings. Do not dwell upon your failures, upon the fact that in the past you have been nearer a beast than an angel. You have a mediator between you and God – your growing faith –which can lift you up from the mire and point you toward the heavens. You can still be reconciled with the spirit of God. You can still regain your harmony with the Divine Principle of the universe. Prayer For The Day I pray that I may not let the beast in me hold me back from my spiritual destiny. I pray that I may rise and walk upright.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

When I was new, reading the 1st Step, admitting I was powerless over alcohol – that my life was unmanageable, I had 2 big questions. 1st, if I have no power, where am I supposed to get that Power? 2nd, if my life is unmanageable, who’s going to manage it?

Meeting up with my sponsor, we read the chapters The Doctors Opinion, Bill’s Story & and We Agnostics. Now, I had a 3rd question: are you now going to baptize me?!! He laughed, and said, “Didn’t we just read where Bill’s friend Ebby answered the same question with “Why don’t you chose your own conception of God?” I had to agree that reading the book, attending meetings, and getting together with Gary was better than my old solution to living life. I was getting hope and getting rid of some old ideas.

Yesterday morning, at breakfast with David at Monica’s, we sat around sharing our agendas. From rushing around trying to manage everything, mine has slowly changed to being of service, focusing on just what’s put in front of me. Family, friends, finances, Gail – all of these work better with inspiration built slowly from prayer, meditation and working with others than self-will.

For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while. It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. Thanks for giving me the time of my life!!