Spiritual Perspective
December 12, 2022
In a few months I will celebrate 20 years of sobriety. Without question, I would be long sense dead if I had not, by the grace of God, stopped drinking and using. Continuing to learn & grow each day, I find my curiosity growing with each passing year, not shrinking. Continuous learning seems to be exactly where the greatest gifts reside.
Learning to fully love myself is an epic challenge. Learning to love my bride Stacy Lee and all our children has been my greatest gift. Learning how to pause when agitated and be more and more fully present for each passing moment (good or bad) has also kept me largely aware of how I’m showing up. I simply desire to be the best version of my authentic self.
Spiritual growth does not come easy, yet it fills me with awareness and an internal drive to grow closer to my higher power, whom I choose to call God. This for me, can not be a casual or obscure relationship. I literally talk to my God throughout each day. My life has slowed down and my compass for making selfless decisions has gotten much more secure in its ability to be directed towards the light. “Spiritual Perfection” is not the goal. Sustaining a state of “God Consciousness” is my absolute goal and daily intention. I fully believe that God wants to be in relationship with me.
Often practicing “Mindfulness” helps individuals stay grounded. A mentor of mine John Bruna told me years ago that practicing mindfulness is a bridge to understanding God or Buddha. This has been proven to be true with countless people. Mindfulness is truly, a practice. The more you practice, the more mindful you become. What I love mostly about this is that it is, “actionable.” You must fully participate, and you must hold yourself accountable. People who are invested in this practice, continue to heal their mind, body, and spirit. Through this, grows your ability to be a better version of yourself.
Regardless of your spiritual practice or beliefs, please understand that a “mindset” that simply indicates active spiritual and/or faith-based lives will help lead to a more meaningful existence. All of us living a life in recovery fully understand the importance of this. My view is that a healthy spiritual life is essential to Transend the bridge between abstinence and a healthy, happy and meaningful life of recovery.