August 3

”If you let fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, then your life will be safe, expedient and thin.” Katherine Butler Hemingway

Changing, taking risks is scary business. Opening one’s self to the unknown takes courage, faith and sometimes a little bit of luck. My recovery has not happened because I have played it safe, because I have worked the program and the steps just enough to get by. I have had to plunge in head-first, often without even knowing just what I am diving into. Yet I can attest that I have received as much as I have been willing to put into the program. I still have blocks to being able to listen to my deepest instincts and to know that they are those which my Higher Power desires as well. My ear is not yet fully tuned to distinguish between my inner voices, that of my addict as well as my conscience which I attribute to God. Sometimes I simply have to take the blind step forward and trust in my spiritual guide. I often pray for a sign to show me the way. I know and care enough about myself to realize that I do not want a life that is safe, expedient and thin. I am willing to take risks and learn patience to reap the richness of life. I have missed too much already while consumed by my addiction, why would I ever want to forgo experiencing all the world has to offer now?

Affirmation I will see risks today as the opportunity to explore the richness of life, to seize the day and reap what God has provided.

April 29

”If you spend too much time warming up, you’ll miss the race. If you don’t warm up at all, you may not finish the race.” Grand Heindrich

I heard a story once about a person in recovery who was having a hard time with procrastination, especially in terms of picking up some tools of recovery. A counsellor suggested that this individual go to the local sports store, buy a “Just Do It” t-shirt and wear it every day for a week. The person was to simply look in the mirror, see the slogan, and find the stimulation to work a bit of their program. I won’t deny that it is often hard for me to stick to my routine. I am learning through my work in Step Three that my blocks to working on improving my spiritual health are the same excuses that I use when I don’t want to exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, or any of the other things that maintain and improve my physical condition. Imagining my spiritual centre or soul as a physical entity helps me to see that I need to put work into its upkeep and to strengthen it. Reading spiritual material, prayer. Meditation – all these are “exercises” to improve my spiritual “body” and are just as important as how I treat my physical body.

Affirmation I will make time to focus on my spiritual health today and look at establishing healthy activities into my daily routine.