“… allow the river of appreciation to flow…” -Attitudes of Gratitude in Love

Yesterday a Sponsee read me his journal. It reminded me of how I used to journal – honestly about things that troubled me and character defects I wanted to eradicate. I asked him to switch it up. 

This morning he read me what he wrote. It was all about positive affirmations, gratitude and a couple challenges followed by faith that it will work out. He was really happy. 

When we focus on appreciation and the good stuff, life just gets way more fun. ILML!

“… today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” – 12 Step Prayer Book

What a wonderful thought for a beautiful morning. If only I insist on being grateful today, staying in the solution, being of service, and connecting with my higher power, this day will be amazing. And then tomorrow I’ll look back at this day, and forward to tomorrow, and smile, knowing how lucky I am to be alive and living the dream. ILML!

– JamieQ

“A business which takes no regular inventory usually goes broke”
– AA Pg. 64

Pen to paper takes it out of my head. Whatever is in there that’s messing with me — usually something, someone’s behavior, or mine. It identifies where I have the opportunity to make amends and forgive. Taking those actions then release me from feeling badly.

That’s why I strive to journal every day — to clear away the wreckage that’s upsetting me. When I take the time to take care of me, regardless of what happens outside of my hula hoop, ILML!

– JamieQ

“Gratitude is a feeling that is created when we become aware of what we are receiving. We may have been receiving it all along, but it is only when we become aware of what we have that we experience a sense of thankfulness.” Attitudes of Gratitude in Love

This reading is so amazing. It perfectly demonstrates that I have a choice every day. Be receptive to all the great stuff in my life and celebrate it by focusing on the gratitude I have for these wonderful gifts, or, focus on everything else. In the first case the result is I get to feel happy. In the second, I get to feel upset.

It’s obvious to me. When I do the work to be receptive to my blessings, ILML!

– JamieQ

I just had to include the original pages from these reading as its so powerful to me. Enjoy!

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“Our present anxieties and troubles, we cry, are caused by the behavior of other people… if only they’d treat us better… our indignation is justified… We aren’t the guilty ones. They are!” 12&12 p.45-46

One thing I’ve come to realize is guaranteed for me is that, when I start blaming others, I’m unhappy. Does that excuse other’s behavior? Absolutely not. But their behavior is on them. How I handle it is on me. With the help of the program I have the option of pausing, gracing the space, taking a deep breath, inviting in God, saying how I feel in a kind way if appropriate, or if not, detaching from an unhealthy situation.

When I react (as I recently did with a loved one), I pay the price of an emotional hangover, depriving myself (and often them) of the ability to love life and celebrate all there is to be grateful for. I made amends quickly that time, but my goal is to avoid the behavior that necessitates amends.

At the same time I must remember that I’m human and on a spiritual journey – as such, it’s progress not perfection. Anger, resentment and self-pity snuff out all the good things in life. Today I’ll recommit to stay close to my higher power, love, because when I do that, ILML!

– JamieQ

“When we thank the universe for everything we have, our blessings are more abundant”. – Misty Buck

Why is it that this simple exercise is so foundational to increasing happiness? For me, it shift my focus and awareness to the good stuff. And if I keep my magic magnifying mind (thanks Dr. Paul) on gratitude, then those things that create that gratitude continue to multiply. It’s all so very cool, and it really works when I do it. I’m so lucky to have been taught this new way of thinking and living. ILML!

– JamieQ

“Abandon yourself to God… Admit your faults… Clear away the wreckage… Give freely of what you find…” AA p.164

At the end of A Vision for You, our program is summarized in these four simple ideas: plug-in, come clean, amend yourself, help others. Four things. When I do these each day I am more comfortable being me, my behavior is kinder, and I am prouder of the person I am becoming – someone who can honestly say that ILML!

– JamieQ

“… my thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions…” Courage to Change

Problems are opportunities for growth. Sometimes solutions are apparent and I both seek and apply them. But when it’s not that easy, I have two choices: struggle or surrender. I find that simply asking God to handle it works best in those situations. Otherwise my life becomes distorted. By relentlessly seeking a solution I stay focused on the problem and miss out on all the good stuff in my life. Today I’m in the solution and gladly handing over what I can’t solve to my good friend G.O.D. Doing that one problem at a time is exactly how ILML!

“… being humble means climbing down from the ladder of judgement of myself and others… ‘Live and Let Live’ sets us free…” Courage to Change

I was told once that the only context where it’s healthy to look down at another is when I reach out my hand to help. Likewise, it’s beneficial to look up at someone when I seek their help to be a better person.

But aside than those situations, comparing myself to others leaves me feeling better or worse than – separating myself from my fellow travelers.

Today I choose to stay centered, on even ground with all of you. And for that, ILML!

– JamieQ

“Ask that you be guided… To a place of peace”. Until Today

Reading this has inspired me to, from this point on, say “Guide me to a place of peace, guide me to a place of peace, guide me to a place of peace” whenever I feel upset or about to react badly. This will be my Peace Mantra. While repeating the mantra I will take deep belly breaths and envision a place of peace. Will you join me? My place of peace is a waterfall in Yosemite. Where’s yours? It’s just another way for us to demonstrate how much WLOL!

– JamieQ

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