A New State of Consciousness

 I, like so many others including today’s author, thought that a spiritual awakening was a one-time event in which there would be a bright light, sudden awareness, and possibly a few trumpets. I would know it had occurred, and I would have a great story to tell! That’s what my ego wanted.

Instead, like today’s author and so many hundreds of thousands, I can confidently say that the “new state of consciousness” is one that appears gradually, and is truly visible only in retrospect. There was no sudden arrival at the goalpost - in fact, the goalpost has been removed. There is no “there” there. There is only this moment, and in this moment, I am at peace. What a far-removed state of being from when I was hiding behind bottles and inner battles.

One of the mantras we hear in the rooms is “One Day at a Time”. It starts off being only about drinking: just for today, today I will abstain. What I find is that it becomes a much larger mantra: just for today, I will stay in this moment and I will find gratitude in it.

As I face difficulties, I find that I have the partnership of my Higher Power. I can reach out or reach in and know that the connection is always there. I have a new awareness - today - of that Presence in my life.

I truly have a new state of consciousness, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

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