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The Program is My Medication

“A spiritual experience can be the realization that a life which once seemed empty and devoid of meaning is now joyous and full.”
– Daily Reflections 2/9/15

How true and what an amazing spiritual experience this program has giving me. When I just continue to surrender over and over again to a higher power on a daily basis, I am blessed with a continuing spiritual experience. My job is to work the steps, do my daily rituals and just let it go. I get lazy sometimes and I find myself worrying, angry, sick, and anxious. My disease is very strong and this program is my medication. Today I am grateful for a solution to my problem. ILML!

– JasonW

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Comfortable Being Me

“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

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Struggle or Surrender

“… 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!

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Stick with the Basics

“…my heart felt callous. Still, I stuck with the AA program; the alternatives were too bleak! I kept coming back and gradually my faith was resurrected.”
– Daily Reflections 2/4/15

I was very callous, bitter, and fearful when I came into the program. I had a hard time with the thought of a higher power but, like the quote says, the alternatives were too bleak.

My desperation and willingness to do the work eventually left me with faith in a higher power which I am now so grateful for. No matter how badly I felt, I didn’t drink or use and I continued to go to meetings and take direction from a sponsor. It’s really that simple — and today I love my life and I’m guided by a higher power through the steps and traditions on a daily basis. Good day or bad day, if I stick with the basics everything turns out alright. ILML!

– JasonW

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Introduced to a Power

From Daily Reflections today “It was through the unconditional love which emanated from AA people and meetings that I was able to discard alcohol as my higher power.”

The countless supporters and compassionate friends in AA introduced me to acceptance and encouragement. This love was and is so attractive that I wanted what you all had. Therefore, I read the book and was introduced to a power greater than myself. Without the fellowship I would’ve never had this opportunity! iLmL

– RichieB

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On Even Ground

“… 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

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Being Mindful

From Heart of a Buddha “When eating, be mindful of eating. When walking, be mindful of walking. When smiling, be mindful of smiling.”

My gift today is to stay present. About to speak at Moorpark noon. Looking forward to being mindful of each moment today. iLmL

– RichieB

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Peace Mantra

“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

If you would like to receive these spiritual texts on your phone just contact me and give me your area cod & number and I’ll put you on my group text list. 🙂

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I Have Two Choices

“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

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A Tiny Part of it All

“… 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