12 Step

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You’re So Awesome!

… taking a searching and fearless inventory… I was asked to recognize positive qualities about myself.” – Courage to Change 

So often when we are in the mode of self-discovery, searching for answers that will lead us to freedom and happiness, we take a hard look at our shortcomings. Ironically, though identifying problems may help in finding solutions, focusing on what we love about ourselves has a far more beneficial result: it puts us into gratitude. Just for today, why not list out 10 things that are great about you? I’ll share my list with you, and I’d love to see yours. Why are you so awesome? By focusing on the compressed good (gOd) within and all around me, ILML! 

– JamieQ

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Not Taken Hostage

“God, free me from resentment toward them.. bless them in whatever it is you know they may need … may their life be full of health, peace, prosperity, and happiness …” 12 Step Prayer Book 
There is no way I can enjoy this moment when anger is hanging over me like a dark cloud. When I’m finally sick and tired of being angry, I find my part – any part will do – and make a heartfelt apology. I don’t expect it returned or accepted, but if neither occurs, I detach unless and until they want to forgive and/or make amends. I’m not going to be taken hostage by my anger or anyone else’s anymore. I love myself too much, which is why ILML! 

– JamieQ

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I Have a Choice

“… all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong… it is pointless to become angry, or get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up.” 12&12 p92

How epic is that reading? Super epic! It really tells me that we all make mistakes and getting upset about anothers’ behavior is simply me choosing to waste energy which I could otherwise be expending towards enjoying my aliveness. Each and every moment counts. As we say in Al-Anon, “I am responsible for my own serenity.” Period! Today I have a choice. And my choice is, no matter what, that ILML! 

– JamieQ

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1 Minute Mini Meditations

“I will take time to clear my mind… release any unimportant thoughts… then allow myself to be guided toward the best action I can take for today.” – Courage to Change 
This is the essence of meditation. Often it’s hard to hear anything kind, loving or positive above the chaos of my chattering thoughts. In these moments, I simply close my eyes, breath deeply, let go of everything in my mind – including my feelings – and allow them to melt away momentarily. I can then listen for (and hear) that still, soft life-loving voice inside of me. These 1 minute mini meditations help me find my way back to the path where ILML! 

– James

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Fears – A Gateway to God

“Fear was a daily part of my experience… and I learned certain ways to cope with it. I often catch myself reacting to my fears in the same way today, even though my circumstances have changed” (courage to change p.172)
My fear often overwhelms my desires, will power and courage. I used food as a coping method without realizing it. I knew no better. This coping method spiraled out of control and affected me greatly up to this point in my life. Now I know better. I have no reason to fear anything about me. I am whole. I am unique. I am amazing. Being afraid and allowing fear to overwhelm me, I was unable to manage my life properly. I am not doing that anymore. My fears are a gateway to God. 

When I conquer a fear, I become the master of the present moment. When a fear conquers me, I am living in the past or the future and the present moment is lost. I love the opportunity to conquer my fears. I love my life!
– Adam

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My Simple Job

“We can remember that as difficult as a day may be, we are never alone because nothing can separate us from our higher power. When we accept the bad things that come, even though they are unfair, we give them less power in our lives. Then we are free to go forward and leave more room for the good things.”– Touchstones 6/16

This is a good reminder that no matter what, no matter how bad I feel things may be, I have my higher power with me. This program allows me connect to my higher power on a daily basis which allows me to be more accepting of anything that may come my way. What I have learned is that the more I connect to my higher power on a daily basis, the less bad things come my way, or my perception of them makes them not so bad. When I work my program, I allow abundance, good thing and happiness to flow. My simple job is to take a spiritual action; the next right indicated action. Then, I am in the solution and I can have faith that anything that is happening is happening exactly as it is supposed to. ILML!

– Jason W

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What They Did to Me

“… from confiding our defects to another … damned-up emotions of years break their confinement, and miraculously vanish, a healing tranquility takes its place.” – 12&12, Step 5

Those hurtful things I’ve done or said, whether justified or not, corrode my heart and soul, destroying my physical health. Happiness, peace and serenity are utterly unattainable unless and until I willingly admit my wrongs and make efforts at setting them right. Does this take courage? You bet! Our instinct is to blame them. But by moving my field of focus from ‘what they did to me’ to ‘how I may have hurt them’ I am able to start the healing process. Are amends required from me? Most likely. But once that’s over, guess what? ILML again! 

– JamieQ

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Pulling the Switcheroo

“We are mesmerized by the shadows of our past, feeding them with mental and emotional energy, we give these shadows the power to swallow our today.” Adapted from Until Today

Sometimes things happen to us that are hard to forget. We get hurt. We hurt someone. We lose something, or fail to get something we had counted on. When I catch myself lost in those negative past thoughts and feelings, I pull the switcheroo. If I’m going to look at the past why not focus on the things that make me grateful. I have achieved, overcame, was rewarded, got love and made others feel nice. By having awareness, taking contrary action and pulling the switcheroo, I can get myself feeling good enough to yell out ‘ILML!’.

– JamieQ

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In the Solution

“If I were to chase each particular care, each particular worry, and each particular sorrow I would have business on hand for the rest of my life… The moment I… let go… 99/100 of my troubles drop away.” – 12 Step Prayer Book 

Great advice. But how do I just let go? Funny you should ask. The 2nd book I read this morning (12&12 p.98) said when self-examination, meditation and prayer are logically interwoven they provide an unshakable foundation for life. By consistently practicing these simple rituals each and every morning I am much more able to surrender everything that bothers me. And when I’m in the solution, ILML! 

– JamieQ

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I am Obsessive

“Many of us are compulsive… put the energy to good use… develop constructive habits… pray, meditate, forgive, be kind, helpful and appreciative… these can be taken to wonderful extremes.” Adapted from In God’s Care

I used to be obsessive about drinking, drugging, and needing to control and help others. Today I am obsessive about making my bed, connecting with source, doing affirmations, yelling I LOVE MY LIFE, showering and dressing nicely, reading higher powered literature, journaling, working steps, going to work, engaging in hobbies, fellowshipping, and getting to meetings. Obsessing about the good things helps me evolve into a great man and ILML! 

– JamieQ