Meditation & Prayer

Meditation and prayer are an important practice in recovery (Step 11). In the past, when I lived alone, it was easy for to meditate. I had another room, a room set up for my spiritual practices, where I would meditate at some point during the day. However, now my living arrangements don’t allow me to have such comforts, as I live with eight other gentleman in the same house. Therefore, I must find another way that works.

At first I thought about using the basement. Even if I had to find a nice corner where I would be able to plug in my laptop, put on some relaxing music for some quiet time. But living in Upstate New York the weather is starting to get nippy and basements typically don’t keep heat well. Or am I just making an excuse?

Another option was going to a park just up the street, putting down a blanket and allowing Nature to infuse me with its own serene music. I honestly don’t think there would be interruptions. Yet, the weather is going to be an issue in the future.

I do have an abundance of churches that surround me. Perhaps I could find a church which has an open door and find a quiet room. Something just doesn’t feel right using a Christian church to talk to Pagan Gods.

Whatever avenue I choose, I need to develop a discipline (which is another topic I’ll talk about tomorrow). Also I need to work on my laziness and procrastination (defects of character and shortcomings). So the whole process will be good for me.

Any comments, questions or suggestions would greatly be appreciated . . . always!

A Friend in Need

Yesterday I was working on my spirituality, previously mentioned, when I received a Facebook message from an old friend.  This friend literally dropped off the face of the Earth about three years ago.  I assumed he relapsed. My intuition was right, as it often is the case when people relapse, their facebook account goes silent.  I convinced him to talk to me person to person, so I picked him up and we had a chat at a local Wendy’s.

To back track, I had attended a local Big Book reading meeting at 7 p.m. in which we discussed the first couple of pages of Chapter 2, There is a Solution. Honestly I haven’t been to a meeting in a couple of weeks and my Sponsor was up my arse to get to one, so I took his suggestion.  I’m glad that I did!

In a nutshell, my friend is living at home with his parents.  He’s been on Suboxone since he left the program but abuses it.  He’s also been prescribed Klonopin for his anxiety.  Now he’s been drinking for the last couple of months.  No job, no friends, just stays in his “man cave playing Counterstrike or Call of Duty until the early morning hours.  He’s miserable, ‘Mike, I have no life.’

We spoke for about an hour.  I reminded him of where he was and could go again, if he chooses to take my suggestions.  He talked about regretting his past, worrying about the future, etc.  I insisted that he not worry about either, “Concentrate on YOU, not the past or future.  TODAY what do you want to DO to turn your life around.”  He knows I’m a no excuses type guy, yet I still had to remind him.  It brought a smile to his face which I’m sure hasn’t happened in a while.  He thanked me for the needed conversation saying he would keep in touch.  I left the ball in his court with many options, “When you’re ready, make a solid commitment to me and I’ll be there to help in any way that I can, but you need to make that choice. I have faith that you can do this!”

My hope is to hear from him today. That is how our program works through our experience, strength and hope.  We shared both of our experiences, my strength in my sobriety and my hope for him he takes my suggestions so he can change his life around.

I am Responsible.
When Anyone, Anywhere
Reaches Out For Help,
I Want The Hand Of A.A.
Always To Be There.

And For That,
I Am Responsible !