… and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” – AA p.59 (and in Daily Reflections p. 290)

One of the wonderful benefits of consistently and diligently applying program solutions to my problems is that the amount of time I stay in suffering as a result of uncomfortable situations is continually getting shorter and shorter. In the past I could suffer for hours, days or even weeks over something. These days it’s usually minutes at most, and more often just seconds. Part of the reason is that I make immediate amends as often as possible, resulting in the dissipation of both my guilt and attachment to the problem. I love using all the gifts of the program, and ILML! 

— JamieQ

“Self-esteem will increase when we increase our sense of being financially responsible for ourselves.” – The Language of Letting Go 
I wasn’t raised in a household where fiscal responsibility was modeled to me. I had some examples of earning money but none that showed me how to conserve or retain it. Rather, what I mostly remember was spending – and lots of it. So it’s not surprising that I generally have bought myself and my family most anything we’ve wanted – I’ve always figured, oh well, I’ll put it on a credit card and just have to make more money. As a result, I’ve always felt under the gun. These days I’m beginning to have some restraint on spending in order that I may build a secure financial future that can last the rest of my life (46 years more). I’m not getting any younger but I can surely get even happier. ILML! 

“Instead of regarding the satisfaction of our material desires as the means by which we could live and function as human beings, we had taken these satisfactions to be the final end and aim of life.” – 12&12 p.71
The idea that the attainment of “more” would make me happy, actually left me always falling short of my own expectations. With my new vision statement, which contains clear objectives with regard to material goals, I finally have clear goals, and I’m taking daily action to achieve my vision, while recognizing that the greatest gift is simply being a conduit of my higher power’s love everyday. ILML! 

— JamieQ

“… we are still tempted to look outside of ourselves for happiness… What we can depend on to fill our emptiness are our own unselfish acts on behalf of others.” – In God’s Care
We’ve been told that once we make enough money, buy the big home, have the right partner, get what’s missing in our life, we’ll finally be happy. I disagree. That stuff is great but isn’t my answer to everlasting happiness. Helping others just because I want to be loving is what makes me really happy. In fact, it’s the main reason why ILML! 

“… I must STEP my way past emotion turmoil…” – Daily Reflections
That statement gives me great hope that I don’t need to stay in, or even go into, emotional turmoil. But how do I avoid it, or get out of it when I step into it? My fist course of action is to pause when agitated. Just knowing that I need to pause, isn’t enough though – I must practice it thousands of times until it becomes automatic. And when I do forget to pause, finding myself in dis-ease, I try to detach quickly so I can recover my peace as fast as possible. Then, I make direct amends to restore my self-esteem. I love how this process renews me and ILML! 

“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
A while ago, a dear friend of mine, Adam, wrote in his gratitude list, that he was grateful for his vision statement. This inspired me to question, at 53 years of age, what my vision statement was. At first I thought I had none. Upon further reflection, I realized that the vision statement I had been operating under was “More.” The problem with that vision is that it’s never obtainable. So a few days ago I wrote my vision statement and this morning I starting manifesting it, beginning to take action toward my vision. I’m so grateful for the gratitude I’m sent each day by Adam and others and ILML! PS – If you’d like to see my vision statement check my blog 12stepwork.com tomorrow morning as I’m posting it there tonight.

— JamieQ 

“It’s important to express my ideas. It’s also important to accept the outcome.” – Courage to Change 
How important is it that others agree with me and do things my way? On a scale of 1-10, most of my life I would say this has been a solid 10. Before program my value was dependent upon others’ respect, acceptance and agreement with me and my ideas. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a work in progress and I’m still affected by the opinions of others. But I’ve learned that the more I allow them to define my self-worth, the less I love myself. By learning to be okay with opinions, outcomes and actions that don’t align with my expectations or desires, I open the door for something even better to come my way. Today I’m open to abundance and ILML! 

— JamieQ

“… enjoy the many gifts life has to offer…” — Courage to Change 
Every day, every hour, and every minute there are gifts of life all around us. The air to breath, the sky to see, the opportunity to smile – try it now! When I breath in this glorious life. When I let my eyes feast upon nature. When I see or think of something that makes me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. These are the moments when I’m truly living life to the fullest, deeply connected with gratitude and the joy of living. Worrying about stuff is overrated. I’m all about just digging the experience of being a spiritual entity inside this wonderful human body. It’s epic. ILML! 

“… job or no job… wife or no wife…” — Daily Reflections

This page speaks to the idea that no matter what, we don’t drink. But I’ve adapted it to also mean ‘no matter what, we keep loving our lives’. The softball of life isn’t always pitched right into the sweet spot. Granted, it’s epic when it is. But most pitches are high, low, inside, outside or curve balls. Sometimes they even hit us! I know that life will always present challenges, and I won’t always get what I want. But as long as I show up, suit up, and swing the bat, regardless of what happens, ILML! 

— JamieQ