happiness

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Fears – A Gateway to God

“Fear was a daily part of my experience… and I learned certain ways to cope with it. I often catch myself reacting to my fears in the same way today, even though my circumstances have changed” (courage to change p.172)
My fear often overwhelms my desires, will power and courage. I used food as a coping method without realizing it. I knew no better. This coping method spiraled out of control and affected me greatly up to this point in my life. Now I know better. I have no reason to fear anything about me. I am whole. I am unique. I am amazing. Being afraid and allowing fear to overwhelm me, I was unable to manage my life properly. I am not doing that anymore. My fears are a gateway to God. 

When I conquer a fear, I become the master of the present moment. When a fear conquers me, I am living in the past or the future and the present moment is lost. I love the opportunity to conquer my fears. I love my life!
– Adam

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My Simple Job

“We can remember that as difficult as a day may be, we are never alone because nothing can separate us from our higher power. When we accept the bad things that come, even though they are unfair, we give them less power in our lives. Then we are free to go forward and leave more room for the good things.”– Touchstones 6/16

This is a good reminder that no matter what, no matter how bad I feel things may be, I have my higher power with me. This program allows me connect to my higher power on a daily basis which allows me to be more accepting of anything that may come my way. What I have learned is that the more I connect to my higher power on a daily basis, the less bad things come my way, or my perception of them makes them not so bad. When I work my program, I allow abundance, good thing and happiness to flow. My simple job is to take a spiritual action; the next right indicated action. Then, I am in the solution and I can have faith that anything that is happening is happening exactly as it is supposed to. ILML!

– Jason W

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What They Did to Me

“… 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

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Pulling the Switcheroo

“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

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In the Solution

“If I were to chase each particular care, each particular worry, and each particular sorrow I would have business on hand for the rest of my life… The moment I… let go… 99/100 of my troubles drop away.” – 12 Step Prayer Book 

Great advice. But how do I just let go? Funny you should ask. The 2nd book I read this morning (12&12 p.98) said when self-examination, meditation and prayer are logically interwoven they provide an unshakable foundation for life. By consistently practicing these simple rituals each and every morning I am much more able to surrender everything that bothers me. And when I’m in the solution, ILML! 

– JamieQ

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I am Obsessive

“Many of us are compulsive… put the energy to good use… develop constructive habits… pray, meditate, forgive, be kind, helpful and appreciative… these can be taken to wonderful extremes.” Adapted from In God’s Care

I used to be obsessive about drinking, drugging, and needing to control and help others. Today I am obsessive about making my bed, connecting with source, doing affirmations, yelling I LOVE MY LIFE, showering and dressing nicely, reading higher powered literature, journaling, working steps, going to work, engaging in hobbies, fellowshipping, and getting to meetings. Obsessing about the good things helps me evolve into a great man and ILML! 

– JamieQ

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My Inner Saboteur

“If you recognize yourself in the description of the self-critic, the best thing you can do for yourself and your marriage is to work on accepting yourself with all of your flaws.” – John Gottman’s Seven Principles

I have made a choice to love myself “warts n’ all.” There are some times that exertion of strength and enormous efforts are helpful and necessary, but that is not the only instrument in my recovery toolbox. I wouldn’t utilize a jackhammer when a jeweler’s screwdriver is indicated. In the same manner, especially in dealings with my inner saboteur, I have found it crucial to remember that I am perfectly imperfect. As a human and a miraculous creature indeed, I am a creative, intelligent, mistake making and loveable being.

– Aloha Mike

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The Abundant Life 

“Your whole character changes as you reach upward for the things of the spirit – for beauty, for love, for honesty, for purity, and for unselfishness. Reaching after these things of the spirit, your whole nature becomes changed so that you can best receive and delight in the wonders of the abundant life.”– 24 Hours a Day 6/7

I like anything that refers to living in abundant life. This quote reminds me that an abundant life starts with my spiritual program. It starts from the inside and goes out. This program gives me the tools to live spiritually on a daily basis. No matter how long my life is, I’m going to have to turn to the tools of the program on a daily basis. It is my only path to living abundantly. Grateful for a solution today. ILML!

– Jason

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The Boat of Life

“If you have no time for prayer and meditation, you will have lots of time for sickness and trouble.” – Emmet Fox’s Sermon On The Mount c. 1935

If I am not engaged in solution, then I’m not cultivating it. It’s of direct importance for me to understand that there’s a leak in my lifeboat (boat of life). It will continue to sink until I plug the hole. It’s crucial to be truthful when assessing and reflecting over the condition of my vessel. Concluding that the water on the floor is overspray from the waves at sea requires no great effort; however, that will not prevent me from sinking. I cannot afford to fool myself about values. Enacting the repair attempt takes more time and energy than saying, “Hey, it’s wet down there!”

– Aloha Mike

From Jamie: “I must take the time each day to connect with source. Maintaining the condition of my ‘boat of life’ will assure that I don’t drown in resentment or self-pity, and instead enjoy the ride.”

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Becoming a Part Of

“We have embarked upon a spiritual journey, one where we explore hidden motives, secrets, buried memories and unrecognized talents, guided by our higher power, but the steps we take must be our own.” – Adapted from Courage to Change 

If I were to be asked by my children what the single most important experience has been in my life, the one that propelled me towards more achievement, more happiness, and more success while simultaneously showing me what my true purpose in life is, I would say “Becoming a part of the 12 step fellowship and immersing myself fully in every aspect that it offers”. I’m so lucky to have found all of you – thank you for being there for me! ILML! 

– JamieQ