“I pray for the courage to trust my destiny to God.” – In God’s Care

Our program suggests we surrender to God’s will. What exactly does that mean? Well, that would depend upon your definition of God. Mine is compressed goodness, aka gratitude, aka the love inside and all around me. So how do I know if something is my will or God’s? Simple. When I think about what I want, do I feel good? Or is the thought of not getting – or losing – what I want, causing me pain? If I answered yes to the first question, I’ve surrendered. If I answered yes to the second, I’m in self-centered fear – not trusting my higher power. By aligning my will with God’s, ILML!

– JamieQ

“… when I expect more than others can give, I am setting myself up. Trying to get something or someone on the outside to make me content on the inside is futile.” – Hope For Today

How often have I done exactly that? I’m only expecting them to behave the way that I would. Isn’t that reasonable? And when they don’t, I politely ask them to, but often the still don’t cooperate? What’s my motive? To get them to act in a manner that makes me feel comfortable. Instead of attempting to manage, direct and control others so I feel better, today I’ll let them do their own thing, while I plug into a higher vibration and take healthy actions that makes me feel good. And by doing that, ILML! 

– JamieQ

… 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

“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

“… 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

“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

“… 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

“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