“Sometimes the forgiveness process fosters deeper unity and connection between people. Sometimes it points to an exit sign.” – Hope For Today 

Setting healthy boundaries with clear consequences, sometimes pointing to the exit door, lets others know that unacceptable behavior won’t be tolerated. Sometimes this is scary to do, but I’ve found it’s the only way to love myself, our relationship and respect the person I’m in relationship with. They then have the opportunity to either stop behaving in a way that hurts me, or not be in relationship with me any more. This applies to business, friendship and romance. But if I’m not stepping up in my responsibility to consistently be kind, loving and repespectful, I have no right to ask it of them. So I do the daily deal to be the best me and set healthy boundaries for others. This helps assure that ILML! 

– JamieQ

“There is healing power in connecting with other recovering people.” – The Language of Letting Go 

Actually, it’s one of the most healing powers in the world. When I surround myself with others who’s life loving goals are aligned with mine, my ability to love myself, others and my life expands. By sharing life loving secrets with others, and hearing theirs, I magnify my secret life loving powers. As children, our life loving powers were super strong. Recovery people are on a path to recover those awesome powers we had as kids. Together, we can get them back! Thank you for connecting with me as a recovering life lover. ILML! 

– JamieQ

“By letting go, we invite our Higher Power to take charge.” – In God’s Care

At first the idea of surrendering was something almost incomprehensible. My whole life I’ve felt like I should never give up. That’s why this quote is so illuminating. In fact, it’s really a game changer when you think about it. By surrendering I’m not really giving up, I’m just saying “Hey God, I’m in this situation that you’re so much better at resolving so I’m gonna let you handle it this time. Thanks!” And suddenly, all the pressure is gone. I know it will all work out okay because my HP is on the job. When I turn things over to God, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“… we cannot just pray and then sit down and expect miracles to happen. We must back up our prayers with action.” – Freedom from Despair
The spiritual solution is epic, finding a connection to a source of inspiration that connects us to a place of love and kindness. But I must also remember that I live in the real world where there are real responsibilities. It is only when I connect with my higher power AND live up to those responsibilities to the best of my ability that I can truly find a peace of mind that allows me to relax and enjoy the ride. Today by doing just that, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“I keep my mind focused on peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then I can’t be distracted by doubt, anxiety or fear.” – Edith Armstrong

Each day, hundreds of tiny, and sometimes big, wonderful things happen to me. I awaken, the sun shines, I smile. The list is long. I’m so grateful for each of them. But each day hundreds of other (not so fun) things happen too. Money is tight, I get some tough news, someone wasn’t nice to me. I don’t like those things much. So what to do? I surrender and focus on the GOoD stuff. When I find the courage and strength to let go of the difficulties, I make room for more of the happiness to flow back in, returning to the place where ILML! 

– JamieQ

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly.” – Richard Bach

When I hang onto the past, particularly experiences where I was hurt or hurt others, I am stuck in a cocoon of darkness. No light gets in. But by really embracing the program, and inviting tons of loving, kind, optimistic, healing ideas into my mind, I begin to shed my old skin and come into the light, allowing me to share it with others. I become a butterfly and soar the sky. Today I will fly free because ILML! 

JamieQ

“When your heart has been closed in anger or fear, only the power of love can open it.” – Until Today
It’s easy for me to know if my heart is closed towards someone or even myself. When I think about them or myself do I feel upset? Sometimes my heart is closed in fear or anger because I’ve been hurt or made mistakes. But is the price worth it? When I am ready to stop being upset I can reconnect with source and give my thanks for the gifts in my life. I can read from books that invite gratitude, abundance and optimism. I can journal out all the stuff in my head and text out a gratitude list to others. Am I ready yet? When I use the tools to change my mind and open up my heart, once again, I’m ready to yell out “ILML!”

– JamieQ

“Today I accept myself (and others) as imperfect and allow myself (and them)  to make mistakes.” – Adapted from Hope For Today 

There’s a pattern that happens when I am discontent. I find someone to blame. Sometimes it’s me. Sometimes it’s them. When I react to this upsettedness instead of responding I end up with an emotional hangover. I believe my dis-ease, that voice that whispers (and sometimes yells) into my head, is always looking for mistakes and problems – things to worry or feel bad about. Today I’ll be aware who’s talking to me. If it’s my dis-ease I’ll treat him like a telemarketer and just hang up the phone. Life is too precious to waste time listening to him anymore. ILML!  

– JamieQ

“We are all a little wacky”. – In God’s Care

If you ask my wife or kids if I’m a nut they will all say “Absolutely!” I listen to loud music in the mornings while dancing and singing (sometimes Brittany Spears). I obsess about weird things like if my belly looks fat or not. I get upset if the Netfix show takes too long to start. And a million other weird things. But that’s what makes us all unique – we have quirky little quirks. Today I’m enjoying my nuttiness instead of being so rigid and serious. As the Middleton Group #1, Rule #62 said “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously.” And today I don’t intend too. ILML! 

– Jamie

“When we’re in touch with the wonders of life, we become aware of many conditions of happiness that are already there, and naturally we feel happy.” – Thitch Nhat Han

So many books are written about being in the moment? Living in the now. I used to feel that some of the moments I was in were causing me terrible pain and suffering. The truth was, I was usually creating a painful experience in that moment by focusing my attention on some hurt in the past or unrealized fear in the future. As a result, my living in the moment wasn’t really living in the moment. Today, when I look around to realize how truly blessed I am to be alive and healthy, when I let go of the past and stop fearing the future, I am living in the moment and ILML! 

– JamieQ