August 7

”The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” Lao-tse

Who am I? What is my purpose in life? Why am I here? What does my Higher Power want with me? I have struggled with many questions like this in my first year of recovery. In fact they still come up from time to time. Usually the trigger is when something significant changes in my life, a relationship starts or ends, new work, a move…but usually it is something external. I need to be reminded that the only opinion of who I am that matters is the one shared between myself and my Higher Power. That is the only person whose judgement really matters, that is objective and unbiased. The Steps are not only a path to reconnecting with the God of my understanding; they are also a recipe to help me find myself. Taking stock of who I am , who I want to be, letting go of the past, turning over my shortcomings and make amends all lead me to my authentic self. I am not changing any fundamental part of me, but choosing to start using those good and real parts to cope with life rather than relying on false idols.

Affirmation I am the one and only me, always have been and always will be. The only approval I need to seek is from my Higher Power who accepts me just as I am.