Step 3

Ola!

I like Brazil.

I LOVE Rio.

I think I might stay here for a while.?

Dunno if I mentioned this but coming to Brazil was the ‘suggestion’ of Pastor Renato from my church on Liverpool.

?“There’s a pilgrimage of people from the UK church to S?o Paulo to see and worship. You should?go”, he said.?

Et voila!?Charismaniac Jedi Mind Trick complete.?

So go I did and you already heard all about my adventures at the Temple of Solomon in S?o Paulo, the $300 million church that Versace would build you.?

So as Rio was growing on me, I was talking?with a local pastor here and mentioned that I'd quite like to stay.

He said "oh yeah, well talk to someone in admin and we can probably sort that out". The church?put me onto this rather?glamorous lawyer, called Isabella, and she said “oh sure:?300 bucks I can get you a 90 day extension, for 600 bucks you can stay here for two years.”

Deal done!?

The reason 'm telling you all this is this is making a decision to commit, long-term to such an exotic destination long term might seem, shall we say, at least unorthodox.

But for me it feels just right, because it wasn't my idea.?

Rather?it just seems like Providence.

It wasn’t my idea to come here it was Ps. Renato's?suggestion.

Now I’ve lived and worked in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Australia, as an expat creative director with high, priced immigration consultants, fixing my permits through the various ad agencies I worked for: even then it’s not that straightforward.

This was just a walk in the park. Or rather Ipanema beach at sunset.?

It’s a great example of what we talk about in recovery a step three in the AA program.?

That reads, “"Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.?

Practically speaking, Step 3 involves the willingness to surrender control over one's life and drinking problem to a higher power or a higher spiritual belief. .

Of course, you can make a dog's breakfast?of it, but practically speaking here’s what mplementing Step 3 into your life?looks like:

1. Acceptance: Recognize and accept that you cannot control your addiction on your own.
2. Finding God: Identify a higher power or spiritual belief that you feel comfortable with. When you’re first getting so, but this can be absolutely anything… Providing it’s not you.
3. Prayer: Engage in regular prayer or contemplation to seek guidance and strength from your higher power.
4. Letting Go: Let go of your ego and self-will, trusting that God will guide you on the path to recovery.
5. Seeking Support: Attend meetings regularly to connect with others on the same journey and share experiences.
6. Taking Action: Practice principles of honesty, humility, and willingness in your daily life.

?But what really what it boils down to?is trying to discern God’s plan for you.

And going along with it and not screwing it up.

What are used to call Providence.?

Providence?refers to the belief that God, as the divine and all-knowing Creator, exercises His sovereignty and divine guidance over the universe and its inhabitants. It’s the idea that God has a purposeful plan for everything that occurs and that He actively intervenes in human affairs to fulfill His will. His?divine intervention can be seen as the unfolding of events in a way that aligns with nis?ultimate purpose and goodness.

Sounds rather grand and complicated but step three helps us unlock it because the link between Providence and Step 3 lies in the act of surrender. When you take Step 3, you’re essentially acknowledging you own powerlessness over their addiction, and more fully your life,?and entrusting your life to your Maker, thus acknowledging God's providential care over their lives.

Both??Providence and Step 3 are excellent sources of comfort and reassurance. They believe that even in times of struggle and hardship, God is working for their ultimate good and that all experiences, including the challenges of addiction, serve a greater purpose in His plan. Similarly, in Step 3 of AA, we’re encouraged to have faith in divine guidance and trust that the path to recovery will be directed by a force greater than ourselves.

Both principles?empahsize the importance of humility, acceptance, and letting go of self-centered control.

For anyone, acknowledging a higher power and aligning one's will with that power, you can find the strength and support needed to overcome addiction and navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and hope.

I hope that makes sense…I talk more about it and other ideas in my book.

You can take a look at the first design draft here:?https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jBF_kmIx9KSRN6qCFB0QWcr96RS-51xH/view?usp=share_link

Have a glorious Sunday!