I am blessed to have many friends who share their pearls of wisdom, love letters from the universe, and so on. You are welcome to send yours, too.
Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope.
Big Book, p. xxii.
Click on her name to learn more about poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Poem submitted by TS.
THE CREED

   Whoever was begotten by pure love,
   And came desired and welcomed into life,
   Is of immaculate conception. He
   Whose heart is full of tenderness and truth,
   Who loves mankind more than he loves himself
   And cannot find room in his heart for hate,
   May be another Christ. We all may be
   The Saviours of the world, if we believe
   In the Divinity which dwells in us,
   And worship it, and nail our grosser selves,
   Our tempers, greeds, and our unworthy aims,
   Upon the cross. Who giveth love to all
   Pays kindness for unkindness, smiles for frowns,
   And lends new courage to each fainting heart,
   And strengthens hope and scatters joy abroad,
   He too is a Redeemer, Son of God.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Below is an email received just in time for Valentine's Day. The text was adapted by PG from Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men.
Subject: Keep your heart young and fresh

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.
--Shunryu Suzuki

As we travel the path of recovery, we are sometimes overwhelmed by a feeling of how much we lack. It rises within us as a feeling of inadequacy, emptiness, or loneliness. We are in pain because we feel like such beginners. Now we need to discard our competitive thinking, our drive to be on top, and accept another, wiser, way of seeing. The big difference is in being on the path of recovery rather than lost on some diversion, as we have been in the past. It is not important how far along we are or who is ahead of whom. The important thing is that we are on the path and experiencing the process.

In recovery, wisdom comes with staying a beginner. Then we remain open to further learning. In some sense this program and our mutual powerlessness are the great levelers. Once on the path, we are all equals.

Today, I will appreciate my vulnerability. It keeps me spiritually alive and growing.
Please feel free to contribute via email to: catwirk@fewspot.com.
"Take what you need, and leave the rest."