April 7

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison

It still amazes me how the simple things in life can bring so much meaning. Waking up with the sun shining brightly and the birds singing, smelling the air of a fresh, spring breeze, hearing the wind gentle rustle the leaves in the trees - these things bring me joy and happiness. This is a gift that awaits me each and every day. It was not that long ago that I was in a place where I could not recognize anything like that, where I was focused solely on the empty promises of my addiction. There were so many things I overlooked, or could not see or even believe were there for me to enjoy because of the narrow focus of my reality. How grateful I am that the horizons of my world have once again opened so that I can experience the vastness of the glories of the earth and all its splendours. There is so much beauty and wonder to see, hear, touch, taste and feel, so much more than I could have ever believed possible. This is one of the greatest blessings of my recovery, my second chance to exist in the marvels of this life.

Affirmation

Nature is a powerful healing force and I will seek out opportunities to immerse myself today.

June 19

”Man has never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.” Bernard Williams

It still amazes me how spending a little time in the sunshine on a nice day can make me feel so much better. It is hard to feel down in the dumps with those golden rays beating down, fluffy clouds floating lazily on a bright blue sky. That warmth on my skin seems to have the power to satisfy my basic needs. I am so grateful to be in a state of being where I can rejoice in the simplicities of life. There are so many more places where I find joy, happiness, excitement and fulfillment than in the past from the rather stagnant highs from my acting out. It is a little bit sad looking back and remembering how my addiction seemed to promise so much but always fell short. The simple joys I find each day in nature, in my kids, in living a truer life mean so much more and feel so much better. It does make me wonder how I could have been so blind for so many years. My path of recovery has taken me from the low point where I was totally numb to the world around me to where I am reconnecting to all that surrounds me. My spiritual health meter was running on empty and I had forfeited most of my values and morals. Only a year later, I have regained my spirit and have a healthier outlook and approach to life. God can indeed work miracles.

Affirmation I can appreciate the small wonders. The program promises life will give us back a fulfilling life if we can follow the steps and endure the process.

April 26

”Try to see the beauty in your own backyard, to notice the miracles of everyday life.” Gloria Gaither

How often have you heard someone say, “If only there were more hours in the day?” It seems that the pace of our life has sped up, rather than slowed down, with all the new technology available to help us work better and smarter. It seems common in almost all disciplines that people are asked to do more work with fewer resources. It is no wonder that we have lost sight of what is right in front of our noses. It is hard to imagine life before computers, the internet and cellular phones.  But it is really not that long ago that we still had to live off the land; that we survived based on what we ourselves could grow and provide to ourselves and families. In some cultures, like the aboriginals of North America, this situation is really not that distant at all. Here are cultures with a rich tradition of their communion with nature, their connection to Mother Earth and all living creatures. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, I often wonder if mankind was not wiser in those simpler times, and more content. How often do we take the beauty of nature, sunrises and sunsets, gazing at the stars, being amazed by the splendour of a butterfly or a flower? Nature holds more jewels than we take the time to recognize.

Affirmation I will take a moment today to reconnect with Nature. Being grounded with the Earth is as important as one of its inhabitants and caretakers.