Author: JamesQ

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Peace or Conflict?

“Do I want to experience peace or do I want to experience conflict? If I want peace, I will be concerned only about giving. If I want conflict I will be concerned with trying to get something or evaluating why I am not getting it.” – A Mini Course for Life

When I live the words “thy will be done”, instead of “my will be done”, I am living in the state of mind of service. Looking for opportunities to help others. This feeds me with self-esteem. The reward is gratitude.

Gratitude = Happiness + Peace of Mind.

If I’m in fear, anger or frustration it’s probably because I’m worried about getting what I want. All I have to do is find someone to help and poof!, I’m happy again. Try it – it works! 9 days till Xmas and yes, ILML! – James

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An Epic Blessing

“Life will take on a new meaning… this is an experience you must not miss…” BB quote from Daily Refections

This is so true for me. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be in AA and Alanon, really living the program. What an epic blessing. ILML!
– James

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Courageousness

“… what is a spiritual awakening… a sense of well-being, a feeling of peace… a new dimension of hope, love and peace… in direct proportion to the sincerity, depth and devotion with which I practice the Twelve Steps…” – Daily Reflections

In looking for definitions of this concept, Webster’s dictionary offers the following synonym for ‘spirit’: courage. So one way of interpreting a spiritual awakening could be waking up to what’s going on and choosing to be courageous. I like that.

It takes courage to change our old behaviors. It takes courage to detach with love, to not take the bait or react in anger. It takes courage to choose love when others are acting out of fear.

In fact, this whole process of recovery is a courageous awakening. Coming into the program took courage. Admitting powerlessness, seeking a God, surrendering, uncovering and letting go of my defects, making amends, practicing prayer and meditation – all of it takes courage.

Each time I embrace the tools of the program and walk away from drama, I’m tapping into a courage that is unshakable because so many before me have shown that it works.

And the result? A life beyond my wildest dreams. Great friendships and relationships with my family. A deep, strong feeling of self-esteem, coupled with a willingness to work hard towards those things I value.

I tend to believe that I have hundreds, if not thousands, of spiritual awakenings each year in recovery. Moments of courage when I actively choose words and actions that are kinder and more loving for me and others.

Today I celebrate our combined courage in this new, better way of living. Thank you for walking this toad with me. ILML!
– James

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Six Areas of Light

“I need to attend meetings because they recharge my batteries so that I have light when it’s needed.” – Daily Reflections

I love the light. Today my program consists of the following things: (1) sobriety (2) rituals (3) service (4) meetings (5) exercise, and (6) work.

My rituals include reading, journaling, prayer and meditation. My work includes attempting to fulfill all of my responsibilities. Service includes helping others inside and outside of program.

The result when I take action in all six areas of my program is… ILML!
– James

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Teach to Learn

“… I believe in that teaching what I want to learn… I can become more consistent in achieving it myself.” – Love is Letting Go of Fear

I send out these spiritual texts, speak up at meetings, and carry the message to my sponsees exactly for this reason – I want to learn more about loving life in recovery. I want to learn how to always pause when agitated, to be more giving and loving without sacrificing what’s best for me, to stop blaming, playing the victim, and feeling shamed or guilty. By searching, sharing and applying the tools I discover, I continue mastering the art of being comfortable no matter what. Hanukkah is here, Thanksgiving is over, Bodhi, Yalda, Christmas and Kwanzza are almost here, and ILML!!!!
– James

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Imagining God

“When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you… We needed to ask ourselves but one short question… am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?… upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.” – BB

It took me over 10 years after putting down booze and drugs to finally get this God concept. I had made it so hard. I thought I had to understand and know for sure that God existed in order to believe. It turned out that all I had to do was make a firm DECISION to PRETEND that there was a higher power and then IMAGINE what I would like it to be – that was it. Whether there really is a God or not doesn’t matter – my pretending (aka belief), works great for me. I’m good with an imaginary God – my path is way more happier and serene. ILML
-James

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Giving Thanks

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
– The Language of Letting Go

Giving thanks on this day for so much. I’m sober, alive, in recovery, helping others, connected with my family, and working towards being a kinder, more loving guy everyday. The universe has given me more than I ever could have hoped for – actually beyond my wildest dreams. And a big part of it is you. Thanks for sharing your life with me and allowing me to share mine with you. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
– James Q.

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Mountain Climbing

“You don’t just THINK it has been hard; it has been hard… You have been climbing a mountain. Breathe deeply. Move forward… The time is coming to relish and enjoy all which you have fought for… Peace, joy, abundant blessings… There will be more mountains, but now you know how to climb them.” – The Language of Letting Go

I went mountain climbing recently in Malibu hills. At the start of the climb my car keys fell out of my pocket. I tore up the mountainside looking for them. My hands literally got bloody pulling out bushes. In the end it got too dark to see. I became aware that it was over. Acceptance was my only hope. I took the next indicated action and called my wife and brother – they love me & came to my rescue. Awareness, acceptance and action led me back to peace. So grateful for the program tools and life lessons to use them on. ILML
– James Q

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God Shots

“God… often appears in human affairs in the guises of ‘luck,’ ‘chance,’ or ‘coincidence.” – Daily Reflections

About 25 years ago, on the way to a job interview my truck broke down. This was pre-cell phone days. I finally made it an hour late and was told they hired someone else as his assistant.

A year later, I read in a local paper that the owner and his assistant were arrested for fraud. I made up my mind to believe my truck breaking down was more than a coincident.

Today I realize that my HP often protects me by not giving me what I want. At the moment I may get upset, but in the long run I’m so grateful for those God shots. ILML!
– James

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These Three Things

“… yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” Sanskrit Proverb from 12 Step Prayer Book

I like the idea that I can manifest great memories of yesterday and a positive outlook for tomorrow simply by staying in the moment and focusing on these three things:

(1) stay in gratitude,

(2) do the very best I can at all that’s in front of me, and

(3) get out of the expectations business by surrendering results to my HP and looking for the lesson from situations where I don’t get my will satisfied (from people, places and things).

Grateful for this beautiful sunny Sunday in tropical Maui, Hawaii. ILML 🙂
– James