“A spiritual plan is a statement of clear intention about what you desire to experience within yourself and a clear definition of what you must do to make it happen.” – Until Today

New Years is a great time to do a written spiritual plan. Today I’ll take a half hour and list my spiritual, emotional, health, financial and philanthropic desires and my ideas how to achieve them. Then I can do the footwork and let go of the results. If it’s anything like my life has turned out, the results will continue to be beyond my wildest dreams. What an amazing ride – ILML!

– JamieQ

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Rumi

This quote reminds me of the two me’s. One of me is always looking for the deal, the shortcut, the easy way, some system that allows me to bypass the work and still get the rewards.

I disguise the motives of this me by saying things like “I’d rather work smart than work hard”, but what I really mean is “I’d rather be clever than have to do the footwork”.

I spent many years, both before and after program, looking for the golden ticket. This idea manifested itself in behaviors like starting projects but not finishing them, making resolutions I didn’t keep, and even starting businesses and giving up before they had a chance to succeed.

The new me, the one that dominates in my life, was tired of the old me and his magical thinking. Nothing against dreams, wishes and magic, it’s just that the new me understands that diligent work is what makes those dreams come true.

Today the new me spends most mornings reading the books in my spiritual backpack, looking for moist tidbits that I can share with my readers and Sponsees. He highlights and underlines those things of interest that resonate, he writes his gratitude list and takes a daily inventory in his journal. He prays and meditates and makes outreach calls as well as answering the phone when others reach out to him. He goes to meetings, looking for tidbits there too – occasionally sharing ones he has found along the way. Like this post.

And with regard to earning money, being a husband, dad, brother, friend, Sponsee, Sponsor, son, employer, and contributor to life, the new me takes action (aka, does the work) necessary to create the greatest possible result in all he does. No half-assing or looking for clever work-arounds in life. He takes responsibility and gets into the solution.

What the new me learned is that I am much happier when he puts in the effort into becoming the best me I can be. We know that the wonderful rewards we receive are a direct result of the determination, consistency, and hard work that we have put in. And as such, we are proud of me.

The additional reward of acting as the new me is that I gain tremendous self esteem – I love myself more. So, knowing all this, why would I ever default back to the old me?

Fear. When I get scared of things I tend to go back to old behavior. And I get into fear when I slack on my program of spiritual action. Staying connected to source, especially when things get dicey in life (aka, they don’t align with my expectations), is the best way for me to continue being happy, joyous and free. I’m grateful that the program has shown me this new, wonderful way of life, and that I’m willing to work for it. ILML!

– JamieQ

“The purpose is to continue my spiritual awakening… I shall be… generous in my giving… loving in my attitudes.” – 12 Step Prayer Book

It’s amazing what happens when I make a concerted effort to get and stay connected to the loving energy of life. To really feel the magic of living life in this human body, with these human thoughts, and these human feelings.

It’s true there are opportunities to experience discomfort, but even more, there are endless opportunities to feel grateful. To witness the miracles all around me.

The squirrel running up the tree. The raindrops falling. Sunshine warming my face. The laugh of a baby. My own smile.

Life is in session, and it’s beyond amazing. When I center myself in love and gratitude I become acutely aware of how lucky I am to be me. And in doing so, I attract more abundance, which increases my gratitude. ILML!

– JamieQ

“When I get that old feeling that tells me I am a victim… I can resist the temptation to blame others and look at my own involvement” – Courage to Change

This reading tells me to use my self-pity or resentment feelings as a red flag to work my program. Christmas was amazing, but there was a moment when those feelings came up. Rather than react, I went into an empty bedroom, hit my knees and asked my HP to relieve me of the victim feeling and let me just enjoy all of the gratitude surrounding me. And just like that, I felt better. This program is amazing – when I work it. ILML! Merry Christmas

– JamieQ

“I will… focus on… The part I can play in making the situation a better one.” – Courage to Change

In any situation, I can look at the similarities or the differences. I can listen for what resonates within me or disturbs me. I can find the gratitude in anything, or I can just see the displeasure, which is usually rooted in my unmet expectations of how others should behave.

Today I choose gratitude. In everything I see, hear and experience. I’ll make a conscious effort to see the good. This is the path of the life lover, and ILML!

– JamieQ

“Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces … are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin …” Big Book p.27

This is the case for me. All of my preconceived notions were torn down and replaced by a new purpose and set of values. I went from “I want” to “how can I give, and when is it appropriate to do so”.

In giving I receive, and in allowing others to do for themselves when it’s appropriate to detach, I also receive. As a result I have a full, wonderful existence and ILML!

-JamieQ

“… there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking… they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them.” – Big Book pg. 50

Attending meetings, working the program & opening up myself to, initially, the idea of a Higher Power, then later pursuing a loving relationship with God, has resulted in a paradigm shift for me.

By following this path I am no longer lost. I have found my direction, learned that true power is guided by love, and finally feel a consistence sense peace and happiness. What a miracle. ILML!

– JamieQ

“The major form my complaining took was to ask, “Why me?” Healing starts when I stop asking, “Why me?” – Hope For Today

Yesterday a sober member of AA did some work for me at my house. He is a really nice guy with many years of sobriety. He doesn’t attend meetings anymore, not happy with the people and content there. He told me he lost his faith in humanity. I understand how he feels, as I have walked in those shoes.

I told him a little about my life loving philosophy, that I insist on loving life. I explained that people, places and things will never measure up to my expectations every time, and if my happiness is contingent upon people and situations doing what I want and going my way, then I will often be unhappy. That simply doesn’t work for me. So since I know I don’t have the power to get them and those events to always confirm to my will, what do I do?

I practice acceptance by exercising my spiritual muscle – getting closer to the source of my light and love. I learn to see the struggling child that just wants to be cared for behind the angry voice I hear. I recognize the days when I was practicing wrong behaviors when my creditor says, “I can’t pay you the money I owe”. I try to be understanding and have compassion. But I don’t roll over and take abuse – I am loving to myself too, and do the footwork to take care of my emotional, physical and finacial health. I practice my program so I can better weather the storms that are sure to come.

By working such a rigorous program of love, spirituality, sobriety, health, and recovery, I find myself loving life so much more often – even when things don’t go my way.

After explaining all this to him he said, “I like that philosophy”.

Thitch Nhat Hanh once said, “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”

It’s my deepest hope that in some small way, while I walk this green earth, I am able to help as many others as possible to learn how to love their life just a little bit more, while they walk this green earth. I love my life.

– JamieQ