came to believe...

Man, I went to the gym last nite after my home group, and I couldn't get the "machine" runnin' worth a darn, lol. I ended up walking a 1/2 mile and doing 100 crunches and just shooting hoops to get moving for an hour. I am glad I hung with it and did what I did. Not every trip to the gym needs to involve self mutilation, lol! TOnite is one of my heavier workout nites at the gym, while Ian has basketball. So, I am going to take my time, loosen up well and push it.

We had a nice discussion on Step 2 at the home group last nite. We read the Step and then several guys shared their expeiences with "coming to believe" in a power greater than themselves. There were as many different experiences shared as there were guys in the meeting. That's what I love about AA. There's no requirement that we believe anything with regard to the details of our HP. Heck, all we need to do is want to stop drinking. The rest will take care of itself! I had a huge issue with God and organized religion BIG TIME when I tumbled into AA 11+ yrs ago. Frankly I can't even imagine how I've come to the place in life where I am actually joining the biggest of all my old "offenders" the Catholic Church, lol. But, that's just my story and experience. It's a bit different for eveyone, I think. A great way to get a grip on this whole spiritual growth thing is ito read appendix B in the back of the Big Book.

One of my fave quotes of all time is found at the bottom of the page:

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” —Herbert Spencer (found in appendix II "Alcoholics Anonymous")

I am grateful to my dearly departed Old-Timer friend Jim M. ("the Youngstown Flash) of Toledo who taught me that principle early on in my recovery. That principle has helped me to keep an open mind and take chances when I normally wouldn't have.

Prayer for today:

JC/HP/God, thank You for another sober day. Without, I know I would be lost, drunk and barely human. I know that everything good in my life springs from You and my faith in You. Thank You for the blessings of Ash Wednesday last evening. I pray that I might use Your Strength to stay away from that which separates me from You. Thank You for the way You've chosen to reveal Yourself to me over the years. I am grateful for the Sacramental life you bless us with. You're there, everywhere, all we need to do is simply ask, seek and knock. I pray that today Imight be fit for You to use me to carry Your message and help another person. I pray that I might do what needs to be done ot make myself fit. Thank You or this Lenten season, during which I can focus my energies not so much on my wants and needs, but on my love for You and how I can better express that love.

peace be with you all!