“… When we believe that our feelings are a true reflection of reality, rather than our own personal reaction to a situation, we hold on tightly to our negativity and don’t allow a scrap of gratitude to enter in. – Attitudes of Gratitude in Love

When I’ve found myself imprisoned by my feelings of suffering, and I believe that it’s a justifiable reflection of my situation, I am living a lie. I am in my dis-ease. Life does not dictate my feelings, rather I have the power to choose how I want to feel. And by choosing to feel good, and focusing on gratitude, I change my life experience for the better. So the next time you feel down, be strong. Choose to look at all the good. Now actually FEEL all the good. I promise that your life will get better. Just another reason why ILML!

– JamesQ

“… living the Steps requires two primary acts… 1st, I must surrender whatever it is about myself or someone else that I am trying to control… And 2nd I need to trust that my HP is there for me… When I forget about the faith part, I take back my worries over and over again…” – Adapted from Hope For Today

This reading reminds me that if I let go, God will catch me. Today I surrender my expectations and control. I have faith that my HP’s plan for the outcome (not necessarily mine) of situations in my life will keep me feeling happy, joyous and free. I cease fighting anything and everything. Today I’ll be aware if I find myself frustrated and I’ll just surrender and join back up with the winning (aka loving & happy) side. I insist on loving my life, which is exactly why ILML!

“The first thing apparent was that this world and its people were often quite wrong… (that was) as far as most of us ever got.” Big Book p. 65-67

The blame game is so lame. It fuels the addiction to drama that dominated my life before recovery. Whether I blame them, feel victimized & get angry or blame myself and slip into self-pity, the end result is an emotional hangover. No thank you. The solution is to be conscious if I am blaming and STOP IT! Instead, I plug into gratitude and acceptance. I alone am in charge of how happy I want to be. Today I’m going for super duper happy. Join me! ILML

– JamesQ

“Today I have a lot to be thankful for. A.A. has taught me the way of life… to show gratitude… to be humble.”
– Big Book: Annie the Cop Fighter

I honestly don’t know where I would be or what my life would look like without this program. Even if I had managed to stay sober, I would never have this life. I would certainly still be very selfish and self-centered. This program has given me a clear roadmap showing me how to safely explore life in a way that brings me peace, happiness and love, while giving me the ability to extend these gifts to others. ILML

– JamesQ

“… when fear, anger or the struggle to control motivates you to behave in a mean, nasty, inconsiderate or spiteful way… when you allow self-defeating beliefs to hold you in a place of pain… perhaps it is time to pray…” Until Today

I consider myself spiritual, rather than religious, but my understanding of a personal higher power is growing strong in recovery. To me, prayer is another word for connecting with my HP. Fear, anger, control and self-pity have little power against the power of love. Just plugging back in takes me out of the darkness and back into the sunlight of the spiri. What a great discovery! ILML

– JamesQ

“A spot-check inventory taken in the midst of disturbances can be of very great help in quieting stormy emotions… especially those where people or new events throw us off balance and tempt us to make mistakes.” 12&12, p 90-91

This is exactly what I did this morning. After having had an argument with someone I love (and feeling righteous about my position), I took a moment to do a spot check. Putting their part aside, I tried to find my part. Doing so opened the door for amends. I sent a quick text to apologize and things got better very quickly. What they say is true; it works when I work it. Grateful for the tools. ILML!

– JamesQ

“In recovery, we learn… the more we are focused on controlling and changing others, the more unmanageable our life becomes.” – The Language of Letting Go

Ever wish someone would just be different? Say or do something the way you think is only reasonable to expect? This is the #1 biggest source of trouble for me. Those words or actions (which I disagree with) are the greatest traps for me to feel unhappy. The program teaches me to be aware, close my mouth, sidestep them, turn away, and then head back towards sources of gratitude ASAP. It’s the fastest way to get back to a place where ILML!

– JamesQ

“An attitude of gratitude in love asks that we let go of our fixed notions of how it all should be in order to experience the beauty of just how it is” – Attitudes of Gratitude in Love

There is so much good stuff all around us every day. So much to be grateful for. But often our magic magnifying mind wants to focus on what we see as wrong and bad. And the more we think about it, the more it dominates our day. My solution is to become acutely aware when I’m doing this and take contrary action. When I switch my focus to the good stuff, almost instantly ILML! It really is that simple 🙂

– JamesQ

“At no time had we asked what God’s will was for us; instead we had been telling Him what it ought to be.”
– 12&12 p31

Prayers of supplication are those asking for something. Like “Help me God!”, one I used often in my days before program, even though I didn’t much believe. These days most of my conversations with my HP take the form of me thanking and appreciating all the gifts I’ve been given. Prayers of gratitude. And rather than my will, since I see God as Love, I really just pray to be more loving. Inviting more love and thanks keeps me centered in a place where, truly, ILML!

– JamesQ

“… the need to be liked is a reflection of what needs to be healed”. Until Today

This is a really profound statement. As I’ve grown in self-love through really working this program and developing a friendship with my higher power, I’ve become more accepting when others don’t like me. I first ask myself if my behavior was living up to the standards of the program. Was I honest and kind? Were my motivations to be of service or selfish? Did I really try my best? If so, then their dislike of me has more to do with them then me, and often it’s God’s way of telling me to steer clear. When I love myself, and I know my HP loves me, I can be ok with them not loving me, providing that I’m being the best me I can be. Today I’m living a loving life and because if that, ILML!

– JamesQ