“Today God will be the center of all my activities.” In God’a Care

I love the fact that we are invited to define God in any way that is comfortable for us. I’ve heard that God is compressed Good. Or Good Orderly Direction. Or the way to Get Out of Darkness (just made that up actually). But to me God is love. And when I live from a place of love, forgiveness and kindness, ILML!

— JamieQ

“… make the most of this day.” Courage to Change

It’s easy to get lost in the long list of things to do, the frustrations of yesterday, fears of tomorrow and all the things I wish were different. But in doing so, even for a minute, means I am missing out big time on the good stuff. But when I recognize how lucky I really am, when I allow myself to see all the gifts, when I focus on the gratitude for all that I have, I can truly live and love to the very fullest. Today I will direct my attention to the good stuff all around me and make the most of it. ILML!  

— JamieQ

“I discovered how much I wanted other people to change so I could be happy.” — Hope For Today 

When my happiness is dependent upon everything and everyone going exactly the way I want, I am sure that there will be plenty of times I won’t be loving my life. But if I’m happy no matter what — no matter what happens or what they say or do — then the percentage of time I’m loving life vastly increases. Today, if something or someone doesn’t meet my expectation, I’ll remember this quote. ILML!

— JamieQ

“…an ability to face the new day without guilt, because I had owned up to my responsibilities.” Courage to Change 

Ashamed of me, but not brave enough to admit my faults, before working the program I remained in a perpetual state of self-dislike, never changing, never growing, & always blaming others for my unhappiness. Learning how to make amends, and then practicing it until it has become second nature, is one of the most liberating experiences in my life. ILML!

— JamieQ

“… the things we consider unforgivable, are the very things we need to forgive ourselves for…” — Until Today

There are times in my life that others have been deeply hurt because of me. I lied or cheated or scammed or forgot or didn’t protect or wasn’t smart or didn’t try hard enough. The list goes on and I am not proud of any of it. In fact, remembering it feels bad. But it also serves as a reminder not to behave in that way anymore. I forgive myself for the very human mistakes I have made in the past and I’m grateful that I make them far less often these days. The new, improved Jamie now brings way more love, than hurt, into the lives of others. ILML! 

“Whenever our way is not the way things seem to be going, we get caught up in fear…” – Until Today

The insidious nature of my expectations, and their insatiable ability to deprive me of happiness, is relentless.  I seriously doubt that I’ll ever be able to eradicate them, but I’ve learned how to better handle things (and people) that don’t go my way.  I take a deep breath, detach from disappointment, and simply refocus on the great stuff in my life. Once I’m back in gratitude, everything feels better. ILML! 

— JamieQ

“I now am willing to forgive myself… for believing my worth is established by what others have told me or believe about me.” – Until Today, June 3rd
My self-worth was always defined by what I had and what others thought of me, until I finally took my sponsor’s direction: Look into the mirror every day and say “I love you”.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I did it every day for a year straight and it worked for me. I went from not really knowing who I was or liking me, to understanding myself and really loving who I am.

And while unexpected events and people’s words can momentarily affect my self-worth, my program always kicks in pretty quickly, reminding me that I love who I am – a totally awesome dude who is so lucky to be on this amazing journey! ILML!

Click here for some cool self-loving affirmations you can print and hang in your bathroom mirror.

Want even more ways to love your life, check out this post here.

– JamieQ

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” — Gautama Buddha

I have a saying I tell most of my Sponsees. It goes like this: “Be careful what you’re saying, your mind is listening”. Our belief systems are strengthened as we speak words aloud. It’s impossible not to have negative feelings sometimes, and occasionally we need to share them. But I keep those words to a minimum, and instead talk more about the wonder and gratitude I am lucky enough to experience every day. ILML! 

— JamieQ

“It’s hard to appreciate what is when we are holding certain expectations of what should be.” — Attitudes of Gratitude in Love 

I believe it’s impossible not to have expectations. I expect to keep breathing; to go to my daughter’s softball game at 3:15; to visit my son Saturday. But I’ve learned to remember that many of those things I expect to happen simply won’t. And I’ve learned that the more okay I am with it, the more I get to love my life, regardless of what happens. Today I’ll do my best, see what happens and just go with the flow. ILML! 

— JamieQ 

“Mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you.” – Anonymous

I awoke this morning to an email from a close friend of mine. He told me about a mistake he had made and the countless hours he spent beating himself up about it. I shared with him some mistakes I had made that, at the time, were devastating to me, and the dark places they had taken me to. 

Today those mistakes had the opportunity to become instruments to demonstrate to my friend that he is not alone, that I truly understand — providing understanding, compassion and love. 

I am grateful for my mistakes, for without them, I would never have developed into the loving and intuitive man I am today.  ILML! 

— JamieQ