Dear Reader
Just for the fun of it I opened a List of quote topics today. I found it interesting and humorous that all the topics under "W" could be used as a topic of their own.
The list of topics is War, Wedding, Wisdom Favorite, Women and Work. Just for the enlightenment of my thinking I ran the topics by ChatGPT to see what AI would do with such a list. The below is a blend of a message and some humor.
If life were a newspaper, the big headlines might read: War, Wedding, Wisdom, Women, and Work.
And while they sound like topics for five separate chapters, in my own recovery journey I’ve found they often weave together into one surprising story.
War – Not all battles involve soldiers. Some are fought on the inside—against fear, pride, and the temptation to believe old lies about ourselves. Others happen in the kitchen over who left the milk out. Napoleon advised, “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” I’ve learned not to interrupt my own growth by running from discomfort; sometimes the inner battle is where faith is forged.
Wedding – A wedding is more than cake and awkward dancing—it’s a covenant. And in recovery, I’ve made other “wedding vows” of sorts: to my Higher Power, to my fellowship, and to the new life I’m building. Like marriage, these commitments work only when I show up daily and stop keeping score. As the scriptures remind us, “Charity… seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (Moroni 7:45).
Wisdom – Socrates said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” I would add: “Especially when you’re tired, hungry, or talking to a teenager.” Wisdom comes in three ways: by reflection (which is noble), imitation (which is easy), and experience (which is bitter). Recovery has given me all three—sometimes in the same day.
Women – They have been my teachers, encouragers, and reality-checkers. From my mother’s steady guidance to friends and mentors who have spoken hard truths in love, I’ve learned to value their insight. As Abraham Lincoln put it, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” I’ve also learned that ignoring good counsel—especially from wise women—can be hazardous to your health.
Work – Whether it’s a career, a calling, or simply doing the dishes, work is where our ideals meet reality. In recovery, “work” isn’t just what earns a paycheck—it’s writing inventory, making amends, showing up for others, and living our principles when no one is watching. Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I’ve found joy in the “work of the Lord,” which Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf calls “a joyful journey.”
The Apostle Paul wrote: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). That’s the thread tying all five W’s together: the courage to fight the right battles, honor our commitments, seek wisdom, respect those who guide us, and keep doing the work—until the day the Lord says, “Well done.”
So whether you’re in a war, headed to a wedding, chasing wisdom, listening to women, or just plain working at life—remember: God is present in each. And He might even be smiling, because He gave us the gift of both joy and laughter along the way.
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