“The calm… comes when we willingly relinquish our frenzied attempts to control all the events in our life.” – In God’s Care
My desire to control creates so many problems, and expectations is one of the biggest. Accepting life on life’s term – embracing it and celebrating the gratitude that’s evident all around me – is really the easier, softer and calmer way. And when I truly surrender… ILML!
“… we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.” – AA, pg. 88
I used to think I could arrange everything so that my life would turn out perfectly. Years of attempts led me to the rooms, where I finally fully surrendered to a higher power, admitting I can’t perfect life – no matter how hard I tried. I made a deal with my new higher power: I’ll do the footwork if you guide my thoughts, attitudes and actions, and life.
Since my higher power is love, kindness, joy, goodness, compassion, gratitude and service, my life is now guided by these ideas and has turned out profoundly better than I could have ever orchestrated on my own. I surrendered (and continue surrendering) and now ILML!
— JamieQ
“… when you focus on what’s wrong, you tend to dig yourself into a bigger hole.” — Attitudes of Gratitude in Love
The other day I received some news I didn’t like. Some regular income I’ve come to expect and rely upon, won’t be coming in any more. That created fear. My mind was focused on it. Recognizing this, I shifted my thoughts to all of the abundance in my life, and how much more awaits me if I simply open myself up to it and continue doing the footwork. Fear’s grip weakened, faith flowed in, and once again I’m convinced that my financial future is epic.
When I work the program, my perception shifts and ILML!
— JamieQ
“… leave the outcome entirely up to God…” — You Can’t Make Me Angry
The Buddah said that attachment is the root of suffering. I like to interpret this as also applying to my attachment to outcomes, aka expectations. I can measure my attachment by simply asking myself in advance “If this turns out not to go the way I want, will I be okay?”. If my answer is “absolutely”, I have truly given the result to God and trust that even an un-hoped-for outcome will somehow create more joy in my life, however hard it may be to see it at the time.
When I live in this light, present with and trusting my HP, I’m at peace and in serenity, however things turnout. Which means, no matter what, ILML!
“Your pain… is the result of what you are telling yourself about yourself, about others, about situations or circumstances.” — Until Today
I often tell my friends “Be careful of what you’re speaking aloud, your brain is listening.” Repeating the problem over and over, enlarges the problem.
My way out is to set a timer and give myself 15 minutes to: (1) Identify the problem. (2) Seek an answer that doesn’t require ‘them’ or ‘it’ to change. (3) Apply the solution or give it to God. If in 15 minutes I am still focused on the problem, I haven’t applied the solution or surrendered the problem, so it’s time for me to use my recovery tools to get reconnected to source and back into gratitude.
Not so easy, but it’s a simple way for me to stay out of the Blame & Shame Game and get back into the Life Boat. ILML!
— JamieQ
“… it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride; but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed God was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when it was the He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since..” — 12 Step Prayer Book
This is my favorite reading in this book (Anita’s too :-). It reminds me that I’m never alone, and that if I’m not feeling so great, I may want to check to see if God’s in the back seat again. If He is, I can simply invite him to switch with me and take the lead, and instantly, I feel the pressure of having to try and control the journey taken away from me. God knows bike secrets, so it’s better for me to let him steer. ILML!
“It will all make perfect sense — later.” – The Language of Letting Go
The last couple of weeks have been full of surprises. Big changes at work have forced me to redouble my efforts at acceptance, patience, tolerance and faith. My Higher Power is always telling me “I know change is scary, but trust me, it’s all going to work out wonderfully”, while my lower power continues on in it’s effort to pull me down into fear. Thank God for the program, great meetings, and fellowship. The spiritual and recovery solutions that have been graciously passed down to me by others keep me faith-filled and fear-free. ILML!
— JamieQ
“Discipline magically leads to results in your life.” – Until Today
First my parents disciplined me. Then teachers. Then police and judges and bosses. I’ve been fighting discipline all my life – I hate being told what to do. But I discovered that no one tells me what to do when I’m doing the next right thing. When I’m being kind, considerate and unselfish. When I’m taking care of all my responsibilities in a mature way. This comes from becoming self-disciplined, and it all starts with doing my recovery rituals – consistently. Once I do that, everything else falls right into place and ILML!
— JamesQ
“I will gain more understanding when I realize… I have been a captive audience for the reruns of my life.” – Until Today
— JamieQ
“In praying… form is not as important as intent… Our heart is opening… My prayer is one of thanks.” — In God’s Care
Words like God and prayer used to really rub me the wrong way. They reminded me of religion, specifically those parts of religion (and people) I felt were phony, controlling and essential wrong.
But over the years I’ve redefined both God and prayer in a way that resonates and enriches my life — as a reflection of the love and gratitude available to me if I open my heart. What a gift. ILML!
— JamieQ
12 Step Work 