by

Find Acceptance

“I have learned that I must lay down the “weapons” of self in order to pick up the “tools” of the program. If I sometimes keep on struggling, it is because I’m still hanging onto my old ideas and… the results are nil.”
– Daily Reflections

I always have to remind myself that when I’m struggling in any way that I have to find acceptance and take a look at myself in what I am doing or not doing. I believe my HP is nothing but happiness, joy, and freedom, so when I’m struggling the solution is to get back to the program which connects me to my HP. Good reminder for me today. ILML!

– JasonW

by

A Magical Journey

“… he stands at the edge of new mysteries, joys, and experiences of which he had never dreamed of.” 12&12 p.110

Since my entry into the program, this new way of life has taken me on a magical journey like I could have never imagined. Graduating college, marriage, kids, a successful company, surfing adventures, the best friends in the world and so much more. Every day brings something new and wonderful into my life. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. And I believe that if I stay sober and really live the program, it will just keep getting better. ILML

– JamesQ

by

Soaking it Up

“If we live each day to the best of our ability, we will soon find we don’t have time to worry about the future or regret the past. We will be too busy enjoying life.” – Hope for Today

Life is awesome, but let’s get real: sometimes we run into uncomfortable situations. If difficulties appear in my day, I try to see them as golden opportunities to find solutions or practice acceptance, then move along making it the best day ever. Doing so allows me to walk through the rough spots while staying in gratitude. Life is abundant and I’m soaking it up. ILML!

– JamesQ

by

Enjoy Peace

“Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is stay sober… he is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of others… We feels man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough… The spiritual life is not a theory, we have to live it”.
– Big Book p.82-83

I’ve heard AA’s say this and I’ve practiced half measures in AA and Alanon myself. I have roared through others’ lives and watched them roar through mine. Today I enjoy peace, serenity, love and kindness. To get those things I am giving them to others. I am working my program rigorously which empowers me to do so. This is the way that I am, right now, manifesting yet another amazing day. I hope yours is amazing too. ILML

by

Skyrocket our Lives

“Let me make today the most fully alive day I have ever experienced!” – Courage to Change

Imagine waking up every day, throwing your arms in the air and saying “TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE MOST AMAZING DAY OF MY LIFE!!! Now imagine if you actually made it happen: every day better than the last.

Sound fantastic? It does to me. I invite abundance each morning, but starting today, I’m adding those words to my morning ritual. And then I’m going to make it happen. Join me in insisting that each day be better than the last. One day at a time, together, we’ll skyrocket our lives beyond our (already) wildest dreams. ILML

– JamesQ

by

The Damage of Resentment

“Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others are just two currents in the same river, both hinder or shut off completely by the dam of resentment. Once that dam is lifted both currents can flow.”
– Daily Reflections 5/17

This statement is so simple but it’s a good reminder of the damage of resentment. If my life is not “flowing”, my spiritual progress is hindered. Resentment cuts off my connection to a HP. Daily step work, meetings, and helping others is the solution. I’m grateful that I have this program in my life today. ILML!

by

Start Dancing

“When one day you see how unexpectedly your prayer has been answered, then you will deeply regret that you have prayed so little. Prayer changes things for you. Practice praying until your trust in God has become strong.” – 24 Hours a Day

This reminds me of a high school dance. I never started dancing til the party was almost over. My unrealized fears kept me from trusting that everything would be fine. Today I’m the first to start dancing and I’m going to adopt the same attitude with prayer! iLmL

RichieB

by

I Love Being Me

“Of all the recovery behaviors we’re striving to attain, loving ourselves may be the most difficult, and the most important.” The Language of Letting Go

One of my past sponsors suggested I look into the mirror, specifically into my eyes, and say “I love you James”. He said if I can set a timer and spend 5 minutes every morning doing this, saying things like “you’re a good man, I’m proud of you, you rock, you’re handsome, you’re wonderful, I’m so lucky to be you, etc”, it would give me one of the greatest gifts in my life. He was right. I did it most days for the entire year he suggested, and I got the gift: I love being me. And that’s just one more reason why ILML!

– JamesQ

by

Those Last Dismal Days

Grapevine, July 1946 “Truly did a clergyman say to me, “Your misfortune has become your good fortune. You A.A.’s are a priveleged people.””

Had I not reached the exact depths I did, I wouldn’t have ever found this way of life. The longer I stay sober and continue to work the program, the more I am grateful for those last dismal days. The bottom has been transformed to the… not bottom. Thank God. iLmL

– RichieB

by

The Great Gift

“When I feel far away from a Higher Power, I have to listen very carefully. I listen at meetings… to music… through our literature… I never know from where a message will come.” – Courage to Change

How do I know I’m far from my personal higher power? Easy. If I’m in self pity, blaming, negative, upset, scared, in a funk, or not taking care of myself or my responsibilities, I’m disconnected.

My old reaction to these feelings is to either confront the thing or person that I feel is responsible for my feelings, and attempt to change it or them. If only it or they would ——, I would feel better. Everything would be better. But that faulty thinking doesn’t work.

Of course, if I’m not taking care of my responsibilities, part of the solution is to step up to the plate and take care of them. And that’s true for any change I want to make in me and my attitudes, words or actions which I feel will help my situation out. However, when it comes to me thinking that I will feel better if I can only get a person, place or thing to be or act differently, that’s when it’s best for me to practice the following tool instead: Gratitude.

Gratitude is the tool I use to plug back in. It takes about 30 seconds of conscious gratitude to re-appreciate life and feel good again. The other stuff outside of me need not change in order to gain peace and get back into a positive place. All I need to do is spend a few seconds or minutes getting myself into the feeling of true gratitude for the amazing life I’ve been given and all the blessings I have.

This knowledge, if I simply use it, is the great gift. ILML!

– JamesQ