By: Vince DiPasquale
August is a month dedicated to the wonderful word retreat. It is often called the dog days of summer—a time to step away from the busy, sometimes overwhelming activities of life, become still, and learn to enjoy quiet and solitude. Many great teachers have taken time to be quiet and appreciate the gifts and creations of life.
In our 12-step program, we are taught special words and phrases that invite us to experience the wonder and beauty of life: let go and let God, gratitude, prayer, meditation, openness, spiritual awakening, service, acceptance, and sharing. I consider these words to be keys to inner peace and serenity.
Let go and let God helps us release tension, stress, and anxiety. It reminds us that we are not in charge. When we allow ourselves to let go of control, we become free to experience the journey of life. Each experience offers a lesson our Higher Power may be trying to teach us. When we let go, we can connect with the God experience within. Each of us, as God’s creation, is a channel through which our Higher Power speaks. Be quiet and listen.
Gratitude is our way of saying thank you for the experiences we have been given. When we live with gratitude, each situation can open a new door on our life’s journey. Each day, as we awaken, let us offer a prayer of gratitude for the gift of life.
Prayer is our life source—our way of sharing our feelings with our Creator. Our Higher Power and Guardian Angels are always present to guide us; all we need to do is ask for help. I truly believe they walk with us throughout our journey. The Fifth Step invites us to share our true feelings with God, the great healer and teacher. Our lives can become a constant prayer. At all times, let us share our joys, sorrows, and daily realities with our Higher Power. Prayer is the foundation of faith.
Meditation is God’s way of teaching us the value of being quiet. In stillness, we can hear the teachings and messages of life. We live in a world filled with noise, activity, gadgets, games, and busyness. These are often the things we hide behind. As long as we stay busy, we may miss the lessons life is offering us. Take time to be quiet. Each day, try to be open to the messages God gives us in every moment. Many of us believe that if we are not doing something, we are wasting time. Yet quiet and solitude are foundations of serenity and inner peace. When we are quiet, we can hear God’s messages. Meditation is the gift of listening and learning.
Spiritual awakening is at the core of our spirituality. The word spiritual comes from Latin and Greek roots that point to being open to discovering the potential and beauty within each of us. Our purpose on this earth is to live on a continual journey of self-awakening and discovery. We are all spiritual beings. Each day, let us open ourselves to the lessons life is teaching us. Each one of us is a book still being written; each day adds a new chapter to our life’s journal. Let us try to look at life through positive eyes. Each awakening helps us grow a little more. Remember, we should always keep moving forward on our journey—progress, not perfection.
Service and sharing allow us to continue growing. We are not islands. When we take time to share the book of life with others, we receive back many times over. To give is to receive. We are part of a world community, and there is so much to learn. Diversity is one of life’s great gifts. In service, we share our experience, strength, and hope. Do not isolate or hide your gifts. The more we share with others, the more positive and rewarding our lives become. Let us hope and pray each day to be examples to others by carrying the message of life and recovery through the way we live. When we live life to the fullest, our energy touches others. Service also teaches us humility and connects us with all of God’s creatures.
Finally, we come to one of the most beautiful words on earth: acceptance. When we are able to accept the reality of who we are, we become better able to accept others. This gift allows us to look upon each of God’s creations with unconditional love. It helps us become fully alive and celebrate each moment.
During this peaceful month of August, when the world begins to quiet down, take time to reflect, be still, and listen to the messages of life with gratitude and openness. Remember, it is a gift to experience our aloneness. To be in solitude is to be in touch with one of life’s deepest secrets: inner peace. May God bless all of us as we walk our life’s journey.
