Daily Missives

The obstacles I encounter along my life’s journey are meant to serve a purpose, but their meaning and value often are not understood until later on. The obstacles are not intended solely to cause me pain and suffering. This life is not a punishment. It is a gift. Sometimes the hardships cause me to change…

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I can’t usually tell how someone is feeling just by looking at them. When my soul is in pain I am silent and I avoid people. I recall a certain feeling of loneliness when I’m hurting. I also recall the feeling of relief when someone reaches out with concern. Showing compassion towards others does not…

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I have heard it said that people change because of one of two motivators – inspiration or desperation. For me, I am desperate to never go back to the way I was living. I never want to feel that way again. Also, after seeing the change in others, I am inspired to try to live…

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When I was early in recovery, I was thinking “So, I stopped drinking – now what?” Stopping drinking, and then allowing myself to be led through a spiritual transformation changed me. After all this time, I have come to realize that my life in recovery does have a purpose. I am starting to see it.…

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I used to operate with a constant sense of panic inside of me. I think it was because I never felt ok and that I felt that everyone could see my uneasiness. I don’t do that anymore. Sure, I get a feeling of restlessness from time to time but I have learned to calm my…

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The burden of my fears was the toughest thing to face when I stopped drinking. I suddenly had to live each day without hiding inside of a bottle. When I was drinking, it was pretty obvious to anyone. But when I stopped, I felt like my fears were also obvious to anyone. Trusting God, identifying…

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I used to think that “stopping drinking” was the end goal of all I was doing. How wrong I was. Living a life fueled by alcohol and drugs kept me from moving towards the life that was intended for me. God’s Plan for my life is revealed to me as I seek Him and follow…

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I cannot “fix” other people, just as they cannot “fix” me. I need to learn to accept others as they are, and ask God to help them to get better. I need to learn to accept myself as I am, and ask God to help me to get better. God can do for me what…

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My initial thoughts in response to unexpected, difficult situations are often drawn from my deck of character defects. What I do with those thoughts matters.  If I respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally there’s a good chance I won’t make things worse. Sometimes I just need to keep my mouth shut. God, please help me…

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When I help someone else, often I am amazed at the change that occurs. Not only does the other person change, but so do I. Doing what God calls me to do, no matter how small it may seem, brings me closer to God. God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

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