Day 2
Thank you for your messages and phone calls! They helped so much. I am in a better place, feeling forgiveness for my mis-steps and happy to focus on cultivating the habits necessary for contentment in this crazy life.
I was amazed when I read the 24 Hours a Day book yesterday. Here I was, utterly defeated, starting again from scratch, and the reading for September 17 was “Step One is… “. What a lovely gift of serendipity. I get to start at the beginning and there is help available in the tools of Recovery.
This morning, Miranda-the-Labradoodle, woke me at 5:32am. We went for a walk. I said the Serenity Prayer on the walk; came home, made coffee, got on my knees, bowed three times to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; said the Serenity Prayer again and requested, “May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.”
Then, I sat, cross-legged in my meditation place, checked my prayer list for those I am holding in the Light, and read the 24 Hours a Day book. For September 18 it addressed Steps Two, Three and Eleven. The Meditation and the Prayer for the Day spoke to me about Quiet Time. The perfect message for this morning, thank you G-d.
My final step in preparing for Quiet Time was to open “Light to Live By – An exploration in Quaker spirituality” to a random page. On page 9 was this, “So the first step to peace is to stand still in the light – the light that reveals whatever is opposed to it… Because this is where grace grows, where God alone is seen to be glorious and powerful, and where the unknown truth — unknown to the world out there — is revealed.”
I did my Quiet Time. Now I am writing. Later I will make 3 outreach calls, eat my weighed and measured meals, get my hair cut, go swimming, do grocery shopping, and open my mail… among other work around the house. The day will unfold as it will. I do my best to live in Recovery no matter what.
Love & Light,
Valerie
bless you and your family
on each and every step
happy swimming
Thanks, dear Nicola. Love & Light, Valerie
There is a new moon in Virgo powerfully aspected, a very good time for new beginnings. I’m doing it with you.
Wow, Betsy! The Universe is with us. How reassuring. Love & Light, Valerie
A New Year – a rich full day – mom
Indeed.
Love you Valerie!
Love you, too, Terri!
Thank you for this wonderful start to a new day for all of us. Each day we all succeed and fail in ways big and small. It is so very gracious of you to share your ups and your downs with us – another way to be reminded we aren’t alone. May your ups be many and your downs be few.
I think you are a wonderful soul and am so glad you are my sister!
Oodles of love- Your Sis
Dear Louise,
Your words are sounding to me like beautiful wind chimes, offering heart-lifting music. You are the greatest blessing to me. Thank you.
Oodles of love to you, too, Sis.
Valerie
P.S. Thanks to Mom and Dad for bringing you into the world!
I’m doing it with you sister. And sending you love every Step of the Way.
Blessings….
Dear Francesca, I feel the blessing of your walk with me on the path. Thank you, my Sister in Recovery. Love & Light, Valerie
Love love love x a billion- kajillion.
🙂 Love love love x a billion- kajillion back at ya, Girlfriend.
Valerie,
Thanks for showing us that we can always start again. You always seem to have a message that comes just in time. I am inspired to regroup and restart and not give up by you. Thank you for your kindness in sharing your challenges and your never giving up.
Hiya Betsy! So good to hear from you. Yes. Thank you for reminding me that we deserve to be able to start again and again. Love you. Valerie