“We must avoid quick tempered criticism and furious, power-driven argument. The same goes for sulking or silent scorn.” – 12&12 p.91

It’s easy to get upset. It’s easy to blame others or act like a victim. But when the drama from my reaction to life not going my way is over, I have two choices: hang onto it or let it go. Letting go doesn’t mean co-signing what happened. For me, it means taking responsibility and making amends if I hurt another, setting healthy boundaries, and if necessary, detaching. Hanging onto my feeling of resentment, hurt or self-pity is like raising my hand and saying “I want to keep being unhappy”. Today, after emotional turmoil I will get into the solution, then let go and let God. Only by doing so will ILML!

– JamieQ

“… the delight in my life continues to exceed my wildest dreams.” – Courage to Change

The older I get, the more I believe that the only reason why I had so many periods in my life that were not fantastic was because I was focused elsewhere. Rather than seeing, realizing and knowing that I was blessed and focusing on all the great stuff and amazing opportunities around me, I was focused on the struggle, the problems, and what I wanted but didn’t have.

These days I’m delighted to be aware of how utterly beautiful life is, and grateful to be just a tiny part of it all. ILML!

– JamieQ

“I knew deep within me I was home.”
— As We Understood

I got sober on January 15th, 1982 (33 years ago), but spent the first 7 years away from the rooms. I wasn’t ready to be brainwashed, but boy did I need it.

Those 7 years of white knuckling allowed my dis-ease to take on a new meaning. When I ultimately surrendered the fight and climbed into the lifeboat, I felt like I was home at last. And years later when I came into AlAnon, it was as if I finally could breathe again.

Over the years, there have been times when I’ve been uncomfortable in meetings. But I’ve discovered that it’s usually a result of me not working a program. These days I stay close to my program and the rooms, and as a result, ILML!

– JamieQ

“It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.” – Emmet Fox

Emmet Fox believed that the highest spiritual principle is loving one another unconditionally, and teaching and healing one another, and that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation and become our experience in daily living. In other words live in fear, create a hostile environment. Live in love, create happiness.

That philosophy works in perfect harmony with my program, providing me with a foundation upon which I have built the greatest life I could have ever imagined. I’m grateful my brother Robert helped open my eyes to the teachings of Emmet Fox. ILML!

“… worst of all, we forgot God. In money matters we had faith only in ourselves…” – 12&12 p.121

After all these years in recovery, it’s still a rare day that I don’t have any concerns about money. The good news is that I have such a close and consistent relationship with my HP that, when fear comes up, I’m quick to turn it over. The reality is that, although I may have temporary financial struggles, as long as I’ve done my very best to earn money, things have always turned out better than ok.

My HP has always had, and always will have, my back. For that reason, and a million more, ILML!

-JamieQ

“Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish.”
– Daily Reflections 1/19/15

My every decision, thought, and action are based on how connected I am to my higher power on a daily basis. This Program has allowed me the tools to stay connected and have an ongoing relationship with a HP.

When I take the right indicated actions I am in the solution and I can trust that God is doing for me what I cannot do for myself and everything that happens is in my best interest whether I see it or not. When I know this, 100% know this, I am at peace. ILML!

– JasonW

“Condemning my imperfections (or others’) has never enhanced my appreciation of life…” Courage to Change

I’ve found it ok, and even important, to recognize my shortcomings. But beating myself up over them is playing the victim. And doing it to others is just abusive. Today I’ll relax, try to step up to life’s challenges, and accept it when I and others fall short of perfection. By doing my very best, allowing others to do the same, and then surrendering the outcome to my HP, ILML!

– JamieQ

“.. we may face indecision… ask God for inspiration… relax and take it easy… don’t struggle.” AA page 86

A little more than 10 years after I got sober I found a personal higher power that I could relate to and develop a relationship with. Until that point, I didn’t have a God to depend upon for inspiration. I’m so grateful I surrendered my intellect long enough to open my heart to the concept of a God.

Today, whatever I’m struggling with, I have the option to cease fighting, let go and turn it over to my HP. What a gift – the easier softer way… ILML!

– JamieQ

“We tend to bond with one another over our complaints about our spouses… But why does it have to be that way? What if we were to broadcast all the ways our partner was wonderful?… great things would begin to happen.” – Attitudes of Gratitude in Love

I sent this to my wife today. She loved it. Our goal is to expand the goodness in our marriage, and do everything we can to make sure that we don’t sabotage our love.

The suggestion in the passage above is just one more way we can do exactly that. By talking to others about the great things my wife does for me, what a wonderful person she is, and how lucky I am that she chose me, I can manifest the exact type of relationship I want.

This is exactly why I love all the readings I do each day – they focus my mind on all the goodness that has been so generously shared with me by others. ILML!

– JamieQ

“… The choice is mine. When I sense that a situation is dangerous to my physical, mental, or spiritual well-being, I can put extra distance between myself and the situation… Detachment is a loving gift I continue to give to myself and others.” – Courage to Change

Wow. This is probably the best way I’ve heard detachment explained. It doesn’t matter if the danger comes from a situation, another person, or even the way I’m thinking or acting. If I’m aware it’s dangerous, then I detach and turn to my HP, I can stay out of trouble and be happier. Great advice and another way ILML!

– JamieQ