“If we carry a light into a darkened room, the darkness is dissipated without effort on our part. So it is the experience of one who has a deep consciousness of Life. Something invisible but all-penetrating will flow through his every look and gesture. People will feel better sitting in his presence.”

– 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes, February 3

Reading the aforementioned got me strolling down Memory Lane, the early days of being in 12 Step program.

I had found Home when I stepped in to my first meeting back in March 1990. I resonated with people’s stories, feelings, reactions to life, and the use of our common drug of choice as a coping mechanism. More importantly, I found love, compassion, understanding, and acceptance unlike I had ever known.

As I studied and put into practice the principles and tools of the program, I came to believe in a Power greater than myself. Giving of my time, talents, and treasure—being of service—gave my life tremendous meaning and filled me with joy and enthusiasm. My whole attitude and outlook upon life changed. It was all so new and quite different from my past beliefs and practices. What a wondrous time!

1. Instead of trying to nourish my soul with food, which had not worked at all, I opened my soul and filled it with Spirit. Working on my inner life was reflected in my outer life. People started telling me that I was glowing, that I was shining, and wondered what had happened. Many thought I was in love. Well, I was, but not in the way they thought!

I was in love with life, with myself, with others. My soul had been hungering for all the qualities of Spirit and was finally getting the substance it needed to be satiated (and, it was not food!). Spirit was pulsing through my entire being like never before and that is what people were seeing in me, God’s light… Something invisible but all-penetrating flowing through me and out to others, with my mere presence helping to uplift them. How remarkable!