“We were taught that a little willingness goes a long way towards building faith.”

– Life with Hope, second edition, page 12

Early in recovery, I recoiled at any mention of God or a Higher Power. It didn’t make sense to me. After a short while, I realized that people who had what I wanted, had some kind of Higher Power. At first, I acted as if I had a Higher Power. The first time I did a Third Step, I imagined my Higher Power as two oak trees, and I laid in a hammock held by these two trees. I suppose trees were my first Higher Power. Various different imaginings later, my idea of Higher Power is more of an energetic force that moves life in our universe. I want to surrender to the glorious mystery that holds us up on this spinning planet. When I think of Higher Power that way, I am comforted and feel secure.

Faith takes practice. I read recently that faith, like everything else, comes and goes, which was reassuring. On the days I don’t feel a connection, I know that it is an illusion, because I am always connected to everything. Lately, talking out loud to the air around me, I choose to believe that something is hearing me. I am reminded that there’s something bigger than me that supports me. I heard early on in my recovery that “the power within me is far greater than any fear before me,” which is another comforting message.

Final thought: Today, I will include my Higher Power in more of my actions and decisions today. I am willing to receive divine guidance.