A WORLD OF THE SPIRIT
We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84

Yesterday at lunch I took a long walk. On the way back I had a powerful meditation on the idea of step 3, turning my will and life over to God. I thought of the idea that my will and my life were previously based on a set of principles that weren't clearly defined but were at the core based on my pleasures. These were my pleasure principles. I couldn't believe the connection with the term that Freud used.

I thought about how the steps were the process by which I turn from a life driven by pleasure principles to a life based upon Spiritual Principles.

Yesterday my wife and kids were out of town visiting her Dad.

I made a fast all day and in the evening I attended a Communal Reconciliation Service and made the Sacrament of Confession. I was grateful that God provided me with the opportunity to make the service. I renewed my faith by reviewing my conscience, making my confession and meditating on the act of contrition. I was amazed to find that I had not really looked at the prayer for the act of contrition and it was a wonderful discovery.

I decided to memorize the act of contrition and treat it like my third step pryer. After I made my penance I took my third step prayer on my knees in church before God.

I felt lonely and aprehensive in a new place surrounded by people I didn't know and in a ceremony that I am unfamiliar with. But throught the Catholicity of it all I felt at home. The priest from my Parish was one of the celebrants. I was grateful to see him and I felt God's presence and love in a familiar face.

I saw a friend outside who goes to that parish.

Today I felt my faith reinvigorated. I took a long walk at lunchtime down 6th street. I saw all the tragicallly hip people crowded down the street for SXSW. Great music filled the streets through open doors from venue to venue. I stopped for awhile and listened to a great band playing music with eighties new wave influences. I scarcely was affected by the throngs of ladies that have been distracting me lately. I could smell teh alcohol in the air and was filled with the spirit of the daylong party. I could see myself not going back to work. I could see myself enjoying the festival without alcohol. I could also see myself in the past drinking too much and ending up on a binge using. I went back to work and was grateful to be sober.