“Life will take on a new meaning… this is an experience you must not miss…” BB quote from Daily Refections

This is so true for me. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be in AA and Alanon, really living the program. What an epic blessing. ILML!
– James

“… what is a spiritual awakening… a sense of well-being, a feeling of peace… a new dimension of hope, love and peace… in direct proportion to the sincerity, depth and devotion with which I practice the Twelve Steps…” – Daily Reflections

In looking for definitions of this concept, Webster’s dictionary offers the following synonym for ‘spirit’: courage. So one way of interpreting a spiritual awakening could be waking up to what’s going on and choosing to be courageous. I like that.

It takes courage to change our old behaviors. It takes courage to detach with love, to not take the bait or react in anger. It takes courage to choose love when others are acting out of fear.

In fact, this whole process of recovery is a courageous awakening. Coming into the program took courage. Admitting powerlessness, seeking a God, surrendering, uncovering and letting go of my defects, making amends, practicing prayer and meditation – all of it takes courage.

Each time I embrace the tools of the program and walk away from drama, I’m tapping into a courage that is unshakable because so many before me have shown that it works.

And the result? A life beyond my wildest dreams. Great friendships and relationships with my family. A deep, strong feeling of self-esteem, coupled with a willingness to work hard towards those things I value.

I tend to believe that I have hundreds, if not thousands, of spiritual awakenings each year in recovery. Moments of courage when I actively choose words and actions that are kinder and more loving for me and others.

Today I celebrate our combined courage in this new, better way of living. Thank you for walking this toad with me. ILML!
– James

“I need to attend meetings because they recharge my batteries so that I have light when it’s needed.” – Daily Reflections

I love the light. Today my program consists of the following things: (1) sobriety (2) rituals (3) service (4) meetings (5) exercise, and (6) work.

My rituals include reading, journaling, prayer and meditation. My work includes attempting to fulfill all of my responsibilities. Service includes helping others inside and outside of program.

The result when I take action in all six areas of my program is… ILML!
– James

“… I believe in that teaching what I want to learn… I can become more consistent in achieving it myself.” – Love is Letting Go of Fear

I send out these spiritual texts, speak up at meetings, and carry the message to my sponsees exactly for this reason – I want to learn more about loving life in recovery. I want to learn how to always pause when agitated, to be more giving and loving without sacrificing what’s best for me, to stop blaming, playing the victim, and feeling shamed or guilty. By searching, sharing and applying the tools I discover, I continue mastering the art of being comfortable no matter what. Hanukkah is here, Thanksgiving is over, Bodhi, Yalda, Christmas and Kwanzza are almost here, and ILML!!!!
– James

“You don’t just THINK it has been hard; it has been hard… You have been climbing a mountain. Breathe deeply. Move forward… The time is coming to relish and enjoy all which you have fought for… Peace, joy, abundant blessings… There will be more mountains, but now you know how to climb them.” – The Language of Letting Go

I went mountain climbing recently in Malibu hills. At the start of the climb my car keys fell out of my pocket. I tore up the mountainside looking for them. My hands literally got bloody pulling out bushes. In the end it got too dark to see. I became aware that it was over. Acceptance was my only hope. I took the next indicated action and called my wife and brother – they love me & came to my rescue. Awareness, acceptance and action led me back to peace. So grateful for the program tools and life lessons to use them on. ILML
– James Q

“God… often appears in human affairs in the guises of ‘luck,’ ‘chance,’ or ‘coincidence.” – Daily Reflections

About 25 years ago, on the way to a job interview my truck broke down. This was pre-cell phone days. I finally made it an hour late and was told they hired someone else as his assistant.

A year later, I read in a local paper that the owner and his assistant were arrested for fraud. I made up my mind to believe my truck breaking down was more than a coincident.

Today I realize that my HP often protects me by not giving me what I want. At the moment I may get upset, but in the long run I’m so grateful for those God shots. ILML!
– James

“… yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” Sanskrit Proverb from 12 Step Prayer Book

I like the idea that I can manifest great memories of yesterday and a positive outlook for tomorrow simply by staying in the moment and focusing on these three things:

(1) stay in gratitude,

(2) do the very best I can at all that’s in front of me, and

(3) get out of the expectations business by surrendering results to my HP and looking for the lesson from situations where I don’t get my will satisfied (from people, places and things).

Grateful for this beautiful sunny Sunday in tropical Maui, Hawaii. ILML 🙂
– James

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Believe

This is the essence of the attitude of gratitude we speak about in program, and the rewards we receive when we focus on all the great stuff in our lives.

Think about it for a second. How many things are you grateful for right now. Every part of your body? Each tooth you have? Your senses? People in your life? Lessons learned? Sunshine? I know my list is practically endless. And when I think of those things I particularly treasure, I can feel the years of joy want to spill out.

Life IS an amazing adventure – a limited time offer – and I for one am so grateful to be in it. ILML – James

“I’m striving for… an overall sense of wellness… it is no longer enough simply to survive… The principles and tools… help me to create an increasingly rich and fulfilling life… I’m… participating in a whole host of solutions that can lead to emotional, physical, and spiritual health.” Courage to Change

No matter what. No matter what. No matter what – I choose to love life, to be happy and helpful. To rejoice in this, a magic time where I have been given the gift to occupy a small space on this beautiful planet. I am forever grateful that our program has shown me, so brilliantly, how to do this. ILML! – James