“…praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.”

– Life With Hope, second edition, page 55

Lately, my sponsor keeps reminding me that I need to let go. I need to let go of my expectations, my wants, and learn to accept what is. Letting go is another way of surrendering. An important lesson I’ve learned in recovery is that I don’t have to do this perfectly. In recovery a more gentle approach is progress, not perfection. Recently, I heard a new saying, “my progress is perfect.”

I’ve discovered that no matter what spiritual truths I learn in recovery, I need to relearn them over and over again. This is what keeps me coming back to meetings, no matter what. I have an amazing forgetter, and I need the messages I hear in meetings to remind me of spiritual truths that keep me clean.

“Let go and let God,” was the first slogan that I grabbed onto in early recovery. I would say it over and over in my head while trying to learn how to meditate. Mostly I think about letting go, but I often forget about letting God. When I remember to let my Higher Power row the boat, I have the opportunity to be happy, joyous, and free.

Final thought: Remembering the 11th Step, I pray to know my Higher Power’s will for me, AND the power to carry out that will. Then, I let go of the rest.