“Go with the flow. Let go of fear and your need to control… trust the flow.” — The Language of Letting Go 

These days, my brother has taught me that being a Drama Queen is overrated. Reacting to everything that doesn’t go my way, getting frustrated or upset or sad is no fun anymore. Instead, I’ve found a lot more happiness in calmness, peace, serenity, acceptance and helping others. These days when I just go with the flow, and let life unfold (often in unexpected ways), I don’t fight it. Instead, ILML! 

— JamieQ

“Peace is possible for me only when I let go of my expectations.” – Daily Reflections
I used to think that, one day, I could eradicate all my expectations. I found that I could not. Even with each breath I take, I can’t help but expect to inhale oxygen. But what I have managed to do is adjust my reaction when those expectations don’t materialize. Today I am able to quickly move from disappointment to acceptance to a belief that this change – from how I thought things would go, to how they are going – will be good in my life. That’s the new and improved thinking that this program has given to me, the thinking that proves to me, over and over again, that ILML! 

“Today faith is as natural to me… As breathing, eating and sleeping.” – Daily Reflections

The definition of faith to me is the belief that everything will be, not only okay, but great. Most of the minutes of each day I feel that way. But when fear crops up and whispers “No, it won’t be ok.”, I simply use the tools of the program and invite faith back in. The program has given me a new way of living and today ILML!

— JamieQ

“Well, I don’t know all the words, so I give God the letters. God knows what I’m trying to say.” Courage to Change

In the 12&12 it says “almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough.” That was the case for me – I was definitely scoffy. But the program introduced me to a loving HP and my Sponser helped me redefine prayer as a way to express my gratitude for the abundance all around me. And this type of prayer, which I engage in daily, is a life-changer for me, bringing me limitless joy, comfort and peace of mind. ILML! 

— Jamie

“I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back…” — A Short Guide to a Happy Life

It’s easy to forget how fleeting life is. We are so busy. There are so many things to do. Sometimes there simply is no time left to relax and enjoy life. What I do is make time. I insist on forcing myself to stop and enjoy it all. I really do smell the roses, and talk to the stranger in the elevator, and look into my kids’ eyes while really listening to them. This is, right now, my one chance and, honestly, I don’t know how much time I have left. So no matter what, no matter what… ILML! Please make time to love yours too!

— Jamie

“Can we transform these calamities into assets, sources of growth and comfort to ourselves and those about us?” – 12&12

In sobriety I’ve almost lost a child in delivery, had a brain tumor, my wife left me, my mom had a heart attack & passed away while I held her, and then my baby brother drowned. And yet here I am loving life and so grateful to be me. How? By using the tools of this program. AA & AlAnon have helped me walk through my pain and come out stronger, loving life even more, and shown me how to use those experiences to help others. In spite of what’s happened I truly believe I’m the luckiest guy in the world and, no matter what, ILML! 

— JamieQ

“We are no longer lost and frightened and purposeless.” — 12&12

Before sobriety, before the program, I felt like a sinking ship without a rudder  in a hopeless storm – I was lost, frightened & purposeless. All of you in the program welcomed me with open arms – I was found. I discovered and turned my life over to my HP – I was taken out of fear. Step 12 showed me that true happiness comes from helping others – I found my purpose. We are so blessed to have found this new, much better, way of living. ILML! 

— JamieQ

“… wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving…” — The Prophet

Every day is an opportunity to love and be loved – what could possibly be more important? It’s true that fear of money, or losing something, or not getting something can motivate me to put other things above love, but nothing really is as important. And sobriety is all about being loving to myself. Many of those whom we love and love us will one day be gone, many have already left this life. So let’s all treasure the love we get and give today. Happy Father’s Day. ILML! 

— JamieQ

“Is it worth it? Is the anger, resentment and stress you feel in your body paying off?” – Until Today

A study in the European Heart Journal shows the incidence of heart attack was almost five times higher in the two hours after an angry outburst, and the risk of stroke increased three-fold. The study showed that the more intense or frequent the blowups, the higher one’s heart risks. I’m so over being angry, it’s such a waste of energy. Today I give up anger and instead choose to be grateful that ILML! 

— JamieQ

“Eventually you will see that the real cause of problem is not life itself. It’s the commotion the mind makes about life that really causes the problems.” — The Untethered Soul

So the solution, rather than trying to fix the thing outside of me, is to first calm down the commotion inside of me, which happens when I react to uncomfortable outside stimulus. I do this by applying my spiritual tools. Then, later, once I’m back at peace, I can make better choices about the problem, coming from a place of love, rather than fear. And as a result of problem solving in this manner, ILML! 

— JamieQ