I used to think peace meant reaching a place where nothing could throw me off anymore. Lately, I’m learning it may have more to do with not staying stuck there as long.
Most discomfort in life isn’t about what happens to us—it’s about how we respond. This reflection explores the small moments that throw us off balance, the suffering we unintentionally create, and how recovery can help us respond more wisely.
In 2004, a backdraft tore through the church I served as a pastor. I walked away unharmed, but the moment uncovered deeper truths I wouldn’t face until years later in recovery. This week’s reflection explores what that day revealed—and what life is still teaching me now.
Meditation has quietly shaped the way I move through my life — helping me stay present, loosen my grip on old stories, and respond with more clarity instead of reactivity. This reflection explores the two simple practices that continue to anchor me, both in recovery and in everyday life.
When the Apollo 8 astronauts turned their camera back toward Earth, they gave us more than a photograph — they gave us perspective. From that distance, there were no sides, no borders, no “us versus them.” Just one fragile, beautiful home.
There was a time when I lived almost entirely in reaction—scrambling to fix, manage, and control life. Today, I’m learning that peace begins in the pause: those few mindful breaths between what happens and how we respond.
For most of my life, I held tightly to old identities — pastor, perfectionist, the one who had it all together. Letting go of those versions of myself wasn’t weakness; it was freedom. In this reflection, I explore the paradox of surrender and the unexpected liberation that comes when we release who we thought we had to be.
The Enso, a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism, embodies the beauty of imperfection and the journey of life. It teaches us that wholeness is not found in perfection, but in presence. My path to recovery has been anything but linear, filled with setbacks and lessons. Embracing the idea that life is about beginning again each day has transformed my perspective. Through meditation and the simplicity of the Enso, I’ve learned to let go of control and fully experience the present moment. Discover how this open circle can inspire you to live with honesty, vulnerability, and peace.
