“… we abandon limited objectives…” – 12&12 p.69

Before the program I could never a acheive my objectives: to be successful, to have lots of amazing friends, to make a bunch of money, to have a lot of nice things, to do whatever I wanted, to fall in love, to have great kids, and to live happily ever after. So why now, only after joining the program and doing my rituals consistently have I been able to acheive all these goals? Because I work a great program, I love the man I’m becoming, I have a great core group of others who support me, I give back with no expectation of reward, and this giving is a great reward unto itself. And so abundance continues to rain down upon me as I put my program and service to others ahead of all else. Plus I receive the ultimate bonus, which is that ILML! 

– JamieQ

“… (they’ve) tapped an inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves.” – AA page 184
Today I have an amazing relationship with a higher power that is personal to me. But it took a long, long time for me to believe. I’m a hard headed intellectual who needs empirical evidence. One day on the radio I heard “God is a make believe friend for grown ups.” That night I wrote down the qualities I would want in a make-believe god/friend. Today my friendship with god is stronger than ever. So where is the empirical evidence? My life is way easier, I’m happier, and I feel more at peace with my higher power. I choose to believe, and as a result ILML! That’s plenty of evidence for me to keep believing. 

– JamieQ

“I will turn away from negativity, self-doubt, and fear, and celebrate life instead.” – Courage to Change

It’s so easy for me to see when I’m worried about something, doubting my capabilities or just being negative – and I’m never happy being in that place. The good news is that there is a solution. Once I’m aware of the problem I can choose to take action to realign myself with gratitude and instantly start feeling good again. I just grab my spiritual backpack, read out of a few books, share it with someone else and boom.. ILML! (It really is that easy 🙂

– JamieQ

“We’re fortunate to have the program to guide us…” – In God’s Care

The most important thing was to get, and keep, as much stuff as I could. Money, property, prestige. This would surely make me happy, right? Wrong. I was working the program backwards. There’s nothing wrong with stuff, provided it follows the most important objective: becoming a good, self-loving, other-loving and life-loving person. When I, first and foremost, focus on achieving this goal, and then do the footwork to create abundance, I get to be happy, joyous and free whether the stuff comes or not. This is a very important lesson the program taught me. Today, no matter how much (or how little) stuff I have, ILML! 

– JamieQ

“When you forgive, you in no way change the past — but you sure do change the future.”— Bernard Meltzer

I’ve discovered that the single most effective way for me to be unhappy is to refuse to forgive – in other words, to continue to be upset after the thing that made me upset has already happened. I am one of those super-duper sensitive people – my feelings get hurt all the time. Tailgate me, upset. Low in the bank, upset. Speak to me in that tone, upset. But forgiving isn’t easy if I’m not spiritually fit. By doing my daily inspired reading, writing and sharing in the morning, I’m less sensitive, less reactive, and forgive more easily. This makes me happier, and when I’m happy ILML! 

– JamieQ

“Today I’m devoted to giving love to everyone and everything no matter what is said or done.” – Until Today

It’s so hard to be loving and kind when I’m upset. Or if someone says something I don’t like. Or if someone wants me to do something I don’t want to do. Or if I’m in fear. Or when I’m tired. Or when I’m sick. There are so many reasons why sometimes it’s really hard to be kind and loving. But I know one thing: when I do it anyway, I’m happier than when I don’t. So, although my first reaction may not always be so nice, I’m learning to take contrary action and just try to be loving no matter what. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s one more reason why ILML!

– JamieQ

“I am a Divine, Magnificent Expression of Life, and I deserve the very best”. — Louise Hay

My daughter Annie shared the page from that quote with me the other day. It made me realize that self-love really is at the epicenter of life loving, because once love is shining in our hearts it expands outward, radiating everything around us including people, places and things. And it’s magnetic, attracting others who want to give and receive love – this filling our lives with more love. Being in the problem, angry or feeling like a victim is boring. When I choose to love myself fully and to express my love towards others, ILML!

— JamieQ

“… to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.” – AA pg. 64

Why do we do and say things that hurt us or others? Why don’t we do and say more things that help us and others love life? For me, the answer lies with the knowledge of how my mind works. There really are two competing voices in there, one that pulls me down and one that rises me up. The pulling-down voice blocks me from loving my life by convincing me to focus on my problems. Today I’ll take contrary action to that negative voice and choose to focus on all that is good because ILML!

— JamieQ

“Whatever is happening… it’s just perfect.” — Simply Being Meditation App

While listening to my guided meditation I noticed these words and thought to myself, ‘She is right. How wonderful this is.” I am here in Wellesley, Massachussetts, sitting in Starbucks, drinking my Chai Latte.  I am at one with myself, my higher power and all those I love. In acceptance I see each problem as a gift of opportunity. And my purpose is to be responsible, loving and kind to others and myself. I rigorously work a great program each day and thus I have a great life – it really is that simple. ILML! 

– JamieQ

“When we habitually try to manipulate others to our own willful desires, they revolt… We develop hurt feelings…” — 12&12

From the time I was little, I became a great manipulator. I cried, someone came and fed or changed me. I yelled, I got attention. But as an adult, other adults are not so tolerant. When I manipulate others to get what I want, I am eventually found out and pay the price. But when I put their well-being on par with mine, and come from a loving place, the relationship always turns out the best it can be. And, at the very least, I can be proud of my motives and behavior, so that ILML! 

— JamieQ