“Abundance flows from the wings of gratitude.” – The Heart Whisper Gratitude Challenge

Abundance is a state of existence whereby life is fully saturated with love and happiness. For so many years my eyes were closed to the practice of gratitude, a prerequisite and by-product of abundance. But when I spend time each day thinking of those things I am grateful for, and then write them down, and then share them with another, something magical happens. My gratitude manifests into abundance. And that abundance manifests into even more gratitude. And so I practice the art of gratitude regularly. And, as a result, life becomes more abundant each day. Which is another reason why ILML! 

– JamieQ

“I would rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic, than go through life drunk, trying to convince myself that I am not.” – Anonymous on RecoveryExperts.com

Wow. This really hits the nail on the head when talking to another alcoholic. The next time someone says to me: 

“Well maybe I’m not an alcoholic, I’m not sure. How do you even know for sure. Anyway, alcohol wasn’t even a big deal. I really like getting high more than drunk.” 

My answer will simply be 

“Maybe you’re not an alcoholic or addict, only you can really know that for yourself. Maybe I’m not even a real alcoholic or addict. It was 35 years ago that I drank and used. However, here’s how I see it. I’d rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic and addict, than go through life drunk and stoned, trying to convince myself that I am not. And besides, I love my life and it doesn’t include alcohol or drugs so why would I bother?” 

When I remember my primary purpose, to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety, ILML!!

– JamieQ

“… we placed humility first… we received the gift of faith…” – 12&12 p.30

Humility, to me, is recognizing everything in the 11th step prayer to be true, and practicing it. It really is better to understand, comfort and love others than to be understood, comforted and loved. Why? Because we feel truly comforted when we place our focus on comforting others, helping them to get out of their dis-ease. We feel truly understood when we really listen to others and understand how they feel – putting ourselves in their shoes. We feel truly loved when we learn to love others for the pure joy of having the opportunity to be loving. When I practice the suggestions in the 11th step prayer, I feel good, which great! And let’s face it, good is just another word for… God. ILML! 

– JamieQ

“… challenge comes to make you, not break you… take a breath… Tell yourself ‘This is going to make me stronger!” – Until Today

When we begin to start believing that everything happens exactly the way it’s supposed to in order for us to be happier and feel an even greater sense of freedom and joy, then we are forced to reframe our initial impressions of what’s happening in life. Challenges, well, they challenge us. We can approach them with the idea that we will walk through this and be stronger, or we can feel upset, defeated and in despair – the choice is ours. By realizing that I’m in control of my reactions, my feelings, and my thoughts and then choosing to see the good in everything, no matter what’s going on, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“Admitted… the exact nature of our wrongs.” – Excerpt from AA’s Step 5

Who wishes to admit their wrongs? Only those that want to become a better person. In fact, if I don’t search for, discover, admit, and attempt to amend my wrongs, I cannot continue my path into the 4th dimension of happiness and beyond. I’ll get stuck, and likely blame others for my plight. Why? Because resenting others is often less painful than resenting ourselves. But the solution is easy and actually feels good in the end. 

I consistently write down (admit) in my journal what defects of character, behaviors, attitudes and inactions are holding me back from being the best person I can be. Then I write down the opposite, positive behaviors I would like to live by next to it. Finally, I continue practicing the new behaviors instead of the old ones, because by doing so, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“… we had begun to get a basis for daily living…” – 12&12 p. 108

Our personal basis for daily living can be determined by asking ourselves “What’s the fundamental assumption, purpose and foundation upon which your life is built?” If you can’t easily answer this question, don’t feel bad. Most people can’t. I certainly had no idea how to answer it the first time I heard the question. It was only by doing the daily deal for the last 15 years that I came to understand what a basis for daily living means to me, and how to incorporate a set of actions that supports the values I hold dear into my life. I won’t kid you, the daily deal takes a lot of time and commitment, but the reward speaks for itself: a rich, wonderful life in which I not only love myself but ILML! 

“Getting to know God is the purpose.” – In God’s Care

Lucky for me, the program encouraged me to define my own higher power, because I used to always feel uncomfortable with the word “God”. So I decided to interpret the word “God” as “Good”. Yep, I just added an “o”. 

I believe in God = I believe in Good. 

Do God’s will = Do Good’s will. 

God I offer myself to thee = Good, I offer myself to thee. 

Since I’ve always preferred to feel good rather than bad, this works great for me! When I insist on staying close to Goodness all day long, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“Remember, Bill, let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple.” – Last words of Dr. Bob to Bill W. (co-founders of AA) on Bob’s deathbed

At 20 years sober I knew how to stay abstinent but I needed a specific list of actions I could take every day that would help me become a great man and love my life. So I started doing ‘The Daily Deal’. Upon awakening I smile, open my eyes and say ‘thank you’. In bed I meditate and then do 5 minutes of yoga. I roll out of bed, onto my knees and pray. I do my affirmations. I yell out ILML! I exercise and then make the bed. I shower, groom and dress nicely while I sing, and dance, and smile. I clean house. I grab my spiritual backpack, go to Starbucks, order a Chai Latte and journal, making amends if I realize I have hurt someone. I read from recovery books, send out a gratitude list, then a message of recovery to others. I yell out ILML in my car as I head to work to be self-supporting. I engage in hobbies like playing guitar. I get to meetings at least 3 or 4 times a week. I share intimacy with, and am unselfishly of service to, others in AA, my family and friends. I attempt to behave responsibly and be both accountable and trustworthy. Before bed, I take a bath. I read for pleasure. I thank my HP for another great day and then say aloud ILML! I get 8 hours of sleep. By having, and sticking to, a system of recovery that works for me, I keep it simple, evolve into a better man each day and ILML! 

– JamieQ