James’ Messages

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Relying on Yesterday’s Program

“I can’t achieve the degree of health I want by using yesterday’s program. I’ve found if I’m not moving forward, I don’t just stand still; I go backwards.” – H4T p.46

I have experienced this as a result of complacency so many times, that’s I’ve become highly aware: when I’m uncomfortable it’s time to pick up literature, pray, meditate, call someone in the program, be of service, do step-work or get to a meeting. Today I have so many tools at my disposal. Staying in discomfort is simply ridiculous. Lately I’m lucky I’ve been working my program and loving my life. Hope you are too!

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Reacting In Love

When reacting in love becomes more important than winning, the fear of losing disappears.

Today love is my focus. Winning is not. ILML!

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Loving Life on Valentines Day

From Attitudes of Gratitude: “The more loving we are, the more love we feel”.

A great message for Valentine’s Day. As wondrous as the love from relationships is, we can also experience love in so many other ways. Loving nature, loving the gift of life, sobriety, sleeping, eating, sight, taste, the sun on our face are just a few. By living consciously aware of so much to love, loving all of it, and sharing our love of life with others, we get to celebrate our passion of being alive with everyone we come into contact with. Spreading our life loving mantra all over the world. Happy Valentines Day and thanks for sharing your love of life with me.

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Judgements, Resentments & Self-pity

“We should avoid extreme judgments, both of ourselves and of others…” 12&12 p82

Resentments and self-pity start with a negative judgement. Though the thing I’m judging may in fact be “not ok”, my suffering comes more from regurgitating it. In recovery I live in awareness of how that type of thinking prevents me from being happy, so I must choose to let it go, and find something to be grateful for. Only by doing this do I get to get back to the business of loving my life!

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Loving The Best

From page 19 in The Best of Bill it says “Let us always love the best in others – and never fear their worst”.

When I focus on what’s wrong with other people, they look worse, and I’m more miserable. The next time I do that, I’ll stop. Then I’ll focus on the good stuff. When I do that, everything gets better. That’s what I love about recovery, I don’t need to be upset for more than a few minutes each day when I use the tools. ILML

This is a great reminder that when I’m thinking other than loving thoughts about people, it means I’m in fear about something (usually fearing I’m not getting treated how I want to be).

Just because they did something that I disapprove of, doesn’t mean I need to focus on it, or fear it will happen again, or that the consequences of their behavior will hurt me. I’ve found for every character defect, there’s an opposite and opposing wonderful character trait. In fact, as my step-mom, a faithful Alanon always said, “Our defects are simply our assets out of balance”. So, rather than focusing on the defect, let me realize that they are just like me – a little out of balance every once in awhile. This allows me to move from resentment to compassion, opening up the door to see the good in everything. And when I do that, I realize once again, that indeed, ILML.

 

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Spiritual Text From James

In the 12&12 on page 114, on dealing with life’s problems, big and small, it says “Our answer is in still more spiritual development. Only by this means can we improve our chances for really happy and useful living.”

When new in recovery, and still struggling in my belief of a “God”, an AA member interrupted me when I started explaining a problem, saying “the answer is God”. I didn’t understand but now do: everything gets better when I apply spiritual principles to it – and every time I do it, my life gets better quickly! LML in Maui – hoping you are too, wherever you are!

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A Channel of HP’s Peace!

Welcome to the 12 Step Work site. I’ve created this to allow my sponsees and others to download step work sheets and information to help work their program and increase their happiness, joy and freedom. Soon I’ll allow others to post their sheets, add blogs, and more social interaction. Perhaps eventually allow people to put in their info and offer to be temporary sponsors. Maybe even list favorite meetings. For now, I’m just getting started, so enjoy!