“What we’re all striving for is authenticity, a spirit – to – spirit connection.” – Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) U.S., TV mogul / actor
When have you felt a special need to build a connection with your HP or friends in recovery, lately?
Hold On – Wilson Phillips (3:41)
Otters & Others Holding Hands (1:41)
The Embrace – Ashana Singing Bowl Meditation
SONG OF FELLOWSHIP
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
[Written and sung in honour of the birthday
of the Pastor Ewald at the time of Goethe’s happy connection with Lily.]
IN ev’ry hour of joy
That love and wine prolong,
The moments we’ll employ
To carol forth this song!
We’re gathered in His name,
Whose power hath brought us here;
He kindled first our flame,
He bids it burn more clear.
Then gladly glow to-night,
And let our hearts combine!
Up! quaff with fresh delight
This glass of sparkling wine!
Up! hail the joyous hour,
And let your kiss be true;
With each new bond of power
The old becomes the new!
Who in our circle lives,
And is not happy there?
True liberty it gives,
And brother’s love so fair.
Thus heart and heart through life
With mutual love are fill’d;
And by no causeless strife
Our union e’er is chill’d.
Our hopes a God has crown’d
With life-discernment free,
And all we view around,
Renews our ecstasy.
Ne’er by caprice oppress’d,
Our bliss is ne’er destroy’d;
More freely throbs our breast,
By fancies ne’er alloy’d.
Where’er our foot we set,
The more life’s path extends,
And brighter, brighter yet
Our gaze on high ascends.
We know no grief or pain,
Though all things fall and rise;
Long may we thus remain!
Eternal be our ties!
1775.
FEATURED POST FROM THE ZONR VAULT – “Oh – connection. I forgot, since I haven’t been to a meeting for awhile and don’t have a sponsor. Alarmingly, yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to get a gram of coke and bottle of brandy, and then my life would be better – thankfully it occurred to me that this was the disease at work. I have not had these thoughts in sobriety so I wasn’t sure what was happening.” (Brita, 9/16/2011)