I have not experienced more peace and serenity than when I got honest about my dishonesty. Lying, cheating, stealing to be able to keep my drugging active brought with it a heavy load on my shoulders. The work it took to hide it, and to scheme all the ways in which I had to do just that. It was exhausting. When I came clean from alcohol I felt pretty good, but when I came clean inside my heart and asked forgiveness from my Savior for all the wrong I had done my shoulders and neck literally lost 50 pounds of weight on them. I felt lighter, and I had a great sense of peace and serenity in my soul. It’s a feeling I can’t describe. I can tell you it’s better than being high or drunk. Working hard at gaining peace and serenity is a huge asset to my life.

A.A. Thought for the Day

Alcoholics carry an awful load around with them. What a load lying puts on your shoulders! Drinking makes liars out of all of us alcoholics. In order to get the liquor we want, we have to lie all the time. We have to lie about where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing. When you are lying you are only half alive, because of the fear of being found out. When you come into A.A., and get honest with yourself and with other people, that terrible load of lying falls off your shoulders. Have I gotten rid of that load of lying?

Meditation for the Day

I believe that in the spiritual world, as in the material world, there is no empty space. As fears and worries and resentments depart out of my life, the things of the spirit come in to take their places. Calm comes after a storm. As soon as I am rid of fears and hates and selfishness, God’s love and peace and calm can come in.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may rid myself of all fears and resentments, so that peace and serenity may take their place. I pray that I may sweep my life clean of evil, so that good may come in.

–Twenty Four Hours a Day-