Quote of the Day: "I am a student of life just trying to learn how the universe works. The most powerful lesson I have learned is that it all happens inside me. My perception of any situation is in my control – I have a choice about which way my mind will react."
“How the Universe Works,” Pinellas Park, Fla., November 2006, AA Grapevine
We all find immense freedom when we come to the realization that we have virtually no control over people, places, and things. We may try to manipulate a situation to our advantage, but this type of behavior brings the inevitable frustrations of misguided expectations. Once I learned that I only had control of my own thoughts and actions, my perception of the world began to change. If I accepted that I had almost no control of the people around me, life became so much easier to live. However, I also realized that I could influence my immediate environment with a positive attitude and genuine care for others. Attitude, care, and kindness are contagious, and they speak to the deep seeded human nature in all of us to belong. So, my perception dictates my attitude, and my attitude forms my reality. We have complete control of our thoughts and actions, but unfortunately for many alcoholics, we sabotage our thoughts with self-pity, resentment, pessimism, or any of the other negative character defects. It is so vital to our sobriety and happiness that we change the way we think and act. Clearing away the wreckage of our past allows us to see life through a cleaner lens. I am so grateful the program guides me to look for happiness from within, and that inner peace translates into a healthier perception of the world around me. 