“Each day, we renew our commitment to spiritual progress in order to stay one step ahead of the progressive disease of addiction.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 49

When I act on defects, when life presents challenges, when my body becomes injured or ill, it’s an opportunity to grow and learn. I can learn about love, learn about forgiveness, learn about acceptance or present moment awareness. Yet, sometimes I become worried about growing or progressing enough. It’s a paradox of the spiritual path; knowing there’s perfection in my imperfection. Right here, right now, deep down, there’s a place of wholeness. On the flip side, I strive for progress in my dedication to my practices, guided by my desire to continue evolving into the next best version of myself. When I dedicate myself to my recovery process—the combination of “improving our conscious contact with God” and the reflection of “continuing to take personal inventory”—my growth and learning happen as natural outcomes.

Final thought: When I have faith in this process it leads me to where I am meant to go.