just for today's topics - tribe.net

I am looking for a sponsor

alayha — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:43:22 GMT

I read someones blog the other day and they were talking about how they found this great sponsor who was what they were looking for, and it reminded me to put the word out and ask for what I want. I have a little over a year clean, and I think I have been without a sponsor almost this whole year. I want a sponsor who has participated in Landmark education (preferably someone who has completed the curriculum for living) or done work like it, is a Burner, lives in Los Angeles and is female. If this sounds like you or someone you know . . . Please contact me!
Love,
Alayha

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Who is sitting next to you?

Autumn — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:10:59 GMT

Happy Holiday's Everyone,

I received this letter the other day and thought I would share it with you all due to the holiday season and how many newcomers find themselves in the rooms for the first time at this time of the year.

I hope you find it as meaningful as I did.
Who is sitting next to you...

(Author unknown, March 1991)

I know who you are. You are "X" who attends the ABC Meeting at the XYZ
Club where N.A.'s meet in Anywhere, U.S.A.

I saw you there the other night at the eight o'clock meeting. I don't
know how long you've been clean, but I know you've been coming around
for a while because you spoke to a lot of people who knew you. I
wasn't one of them.

You don't know who I am. I wandered into your meeting place alone the
other night, a stranger in a strange town. I got a cup of coffee, and
sat down by myself. You didn't speak to me.

Oh, you saw me. You glanced my way, but you didn't recognize me, so
you quickly averted your eyes and sought out a familiar face. I sat
there through the meeting.

It was okay, a slightly different format but basically the same kind
of meeting as the one I go to at home.

The topic was gratitude. You and your friends spoke about how much
N.A. means to you. You talked about the camaraderie in your meeting
place. You said how much the people there had helped you when you
first came through the door how they extended the hand of friendship
to make you feel welcome, and asked you to come back. And I wondered
where they had gone, those nice people who made your entrance so
welcoming and so comfortable.

You talked about how the newcomer is the life blood of N.A. I agree,
but I didn't say so. In fact, I didn't share in your meeting. I signed
my name in the book that was passed around, but the chairperson didn't
refer to it. He only called on those people in the room whom he knew.
So who am I? You don't know, because you didn't bother to find out.
Although yours was a closed meeting, you didn't even ask if I
belonged there.

It might have been my first meeting. I could have been full of fear
and distrust, knowing N.A. wouldn't work any better than anything else
I'd tried, and I would have left convinced that I was right. I might
have been suicidal, grasping at one last straw, hoping someone would
reach out and pull me from the pit of loathing and self-pity from
which, by myself, I could find no escape.

I might have been a student with a tape recorder in my pocket,
assigned to write a paper on how N.A. works - someone who shouldn't
have been permitted to sit there at all but could have been directed
to an open meeting to learn what I needed to know.

Or I could have been sent by the courts, wanting to know more, but
afraid to ask. It happens that I was none of the above.

I was just an ordinary addict with a few years of clean living in N.A.
who was traveling and was in need of a meeting.

My only problem that night was that I'd been alone with my own mind
too long. I just needed to touch base with my N.A. family. I know
from past experience that I could have walked into your meeting place
smiling, stuck out my hand to the first person I saw and said, "Hi. My
name is - . I'm an addict from - ."If I'd felt like doing that, I
probably would have been warmly welcomed. You would have asked me if I
knew Old So-and-so from my state, or you might have shared a part of
your drug-a-log that occurred in my part of the country. Why didn't I?
I was hungry, lonely, and tired.

The only thing missing was angry, but three out of four isn't a good
place for me to be.

So I sat silently through your meeting, and when it was over I watched
enviously as all of you gathered in small groups, talking to one
another the same way we do in my home town.

You and some of your friends were planning a meeting after the meeting
at a nearby coffee shop. By this time I had been silent too long to
reach out to you. I stopped by the bulletin board to read the notices
there, kind of hanging around without being too obvious, hoping you
might ask if I wanted to join you, but you didn't.

As I walked slowly across the parking lot to my car with the
out-of-state license plates you looked my way again. Our eyes met
briefly and I mustered a smile. Again, you looked away. I buckled my
seat belt, started the car, and drove to the motel where I was
staying.

As I lay in my bed waiting for sleep to come, I made a gratitude list.
You were on it, along with your friends at the meeting place. I knew
that you were there for me, and that I needed you far more than you
needed me. I knew that if I had needed help, and had asked for it, you
would have gladly given it.

But I wondered . . . what if I hadn't been able to ask?

I know who you are.....Do you remember me?

posted in just for today - 2 replies

NO MATTER WHAT

Scooter — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:35:49 GMT

I encourage you to come and tell us your NO MATTER WHATS. I know everyone has them. Experience, strength, hope, faith, love, PERSERVERANCE. The theme of the NCCNA convention was a great inspiration to me and to many others. I would like for everyone to be a part of that!! The name of the new tribe is NO MATTER WHAT!!

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my healing tribe art project needs your comments

bragitta — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:21:38 GMT

I am creating a healing art experiment on my tribe page
where I create a piece of art work and ask a question
and then depending on the comments and response it gets
will inspire future art pieces and questions

so
please hop on over to my tribe page
and leave a comment or 2 (or 3)
even become a new friend to this art experiment of mine

thanks
bragitta

posted in just for today - 0 replies

alway at home !!

Bobby — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:47:28 GMT

hi im bob i just now joined this tribe and am new to the site in general but isn't a wonderfull gift that weather it's
in a new town ,a new meeting or online ,i always feel at home where ever recovery is spoken

posted in just for today - 1 reply

bad feeling

Bev — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:13:59 GMT

ok i've been living with my boyfreind who works on the rigs dont get me wrong i love him with all my heart but last night i had some freinds over to the house and my ex came over well my ex and i ended up sleeping together :( i feel bad but then i dont i dont know what to do i know my boyfreind said that if i wanted to sleep with someone just go for it but did that mean my ex? my ex and i dated over 3 years ago but we've slept together since we dated i feel like i did it to get back at my boyfreind see i had 2 days off of work befor leaving ot go with my fameily for x-mas i clean the whole house every where but the living room i came back and my house was a complet and udder mess my mom said it could of just been becuse he had a cold and didnt feel well what do i do he comes back on jan. 10

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anything happening for NYE???!!!

dejableu — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 09:12:05 GMT

hey out there i'm looking for some good clean fun for NYE at the same time wanna dnce the night away, any suggestions??? please reply soon NYE is almost here!

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Hello everyone

Pigeon — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:13:11 GMT

Here I am in the world of recovery. Nice to meet everyone.

www.pigeonhole.wordpress.com

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My one year anniversary!

brokendownangel — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:02:09 GMT

I know it's been awhile since I have checked in here,but I thought you would all like to know that I have celebrated my 1 yr anniversary of being drug free on dec. 10,2006. My new job and alot of family issues have kept me away from a NA meeting in a month or so but I still did it. I still take it one day at a time and have not had any urges. I am very grateful that I am drug free and hopefully if I take one day at a time I will remain so for many years to come. I am still picking up the pieces and putting my life together from when I did use and it is slowly going in forward mode. I have a job and it's actually not a bad job for a restaurant job and I even have the backing from a couple of my managers.I hope you all have a safe and prosperous holiday season.

posted in just for today - 2 replies

Just need to share

Scooter — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 17:56:22 GMT

What an awesome fellowship I am a part of. I just finished reading the 3rd tradition in the Basic Text and in the It work how and why. I am so proud of myself. I just wanted to share what I got from it or what I have become more aware of. The third tradition talks about I'm sure you all know our only requirement for membership......THE DESIRE.......to stop using. Not the final decision to or the promise that no one can promise. I have learned more recently that I do in fact have a disease. I am not exempt from its grasp for any reason I am just like everyone else I can now more closely relate to the newcomer. As a result of thinking and believing that I was in fact exempt. I am me it will never happen to me. Well it did. What a humbling experience to get my 30day chip. What a humbling experience to sit during the birthday countdown at the campout and watch all of my 3 yr buddies stand while I sit and think about what I did. Poopie!!!! I have a DESIRE today more than ever to participate in my recovery. I am excited that I get to start over. The butt kicking machine's battery is dying as is the lie.
I am glad that I am me today. I am greatful that I have been given a reason to look at who I am at a greater measure. I am even more greatful that I get to be a member of this fellowship solely based on my DESIRE to sop using. I wasn't turned down for membership my second time around because I had bad credit.
What an awesome feeling it is to sit and talk with someone who is going through it whether they have 1 month or 18 years and be able to say its not worth it.
I am proud to be a member of this fellowhip. Thanks for letting me babble babble!

posted in just for today - 1 reply

Just an addict

Scooter — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:15:43 GMT

My name is Scooter and I am an addict. I celebrated 3.5 years on the 18th and that evening I found myself in a compromising situation. I have had a lot of things going on in my life as my plate overflows I look for that instant relief and here was the perfect opportunity. One drink not enough for anything just enough to kick myself is the a** for giving up my 3.5 for the chance of an escape. Its been 13 days and I can't seem to get rid of the voice in the back of my head that sez well you already gave it up whats one more time. I have lost all of my service positions which is scary for me, Service helps to hold me accountable and now I'm serviceless. I have a new respect for what I have. I never could understand what people meant by having a disease. Now I know. I am glad to be home I am glad it was just one. I am glad that I had my a** kicking machine with me or theres no telling where this would have led me to. For the last 13days I have been living just for today. Still waiting for the miracle. I know that they happen. I have experinced the love and unity in the rooms as I came back in with my head held in shame and did not receive anything but love and acceptance that comes from the rooms of NA. Thank you for saving my life.

With much love and respect,
Your fellow recovering addict,
Scooter D.

posted in just for today - 2 replies

Dr. Silkworth Birthday Celebration

jamesptyler — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:06:01 GMT

Subject: Dr. Silkworth Birthday Celebration, W.Long Branch NJ, 7/22/06
(Update)

You are cordially invited to the third annual Dr. Silkworth birthday
celebration!

Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 3:00PM (rain date July 29, 2006)

At his gravesite in Glenwood Cemetery, Route 71 (Monmouth Rd.), West
Long Branch NJ.

Speakers: Barbara Silkworth (a family member) and Mitchell K. (author of
“How It Worked - The Story of Clarence H. Snyder & the Early Days of AA
in Cleveland”)

Dr. William Duncan Silkworth is the author of the two letters in the
“Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous” and is known as
a friend to millions of alcoholics worldwide. He worked with Bill Wilson, AA’s
co-founder in N.Y.C., after Bill finally got sober in 1934. He gave deep
understanding and great encouragement to an infant society in the days
when a lack of understanding or a word of discouragement might easily have
killed it. He freely risked his professional reputation to champion an
unprecedented spiritual answer to the medical enigma and the human
tragedy of alcoholism. Without his blessing, our faith might well have died in
its birth. He was a luminous exception to the rule that only an alcoholic
understands an alcoholic. He knew us better than we knew ourselves,
better than we know each other. Many of us felt that his medical skill, great
as that was, was not at all the full measure of his stature. Dr. Silkworth
was something that it is difficult even to mention in these days. He was a
saintly man. He stood in an unusual relationship to truth. He was able
to see the truth of a man, when that truth was deeply hidden from the man
himself and from everyone else. He was able to save lives that were
otherwise beyond help of any kind. Such a man cannot really die. We wish
to honor this man, a gentle doctor with white hair and china blue eyes.

Dr. Silkworth lived on Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch, attended Long
Branch High School where he has been inducted in that school’s Hall of Fame,
graduated from Princeton University, and lived for a while in Little
Silver. He was born on July 22, 1873 and died on March 22, 1951.

PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING A LAWN CHAIR OR SOMETHING TO SIT ON.
If you have any questions please call Barefoot Bill at 201-232-8749
(cell).

Directions:
Take the Garden State Parkway (north or south) to Exit 105 (Route 36),
continue on Route 36 approximately 2.5 to 3 miles through 5 traffic
lights (passing Monmouth Mall, two more shopping plazas, and several automobile
dealerships). Watch for green road signs stating “Route 71 South, West
Long Branch and Asbury Park” (this is before the sixth light). Take this
Turnoff to the right, past Carriage Square and bear right onto Route 71
(Monmouth Road.) Glenwood Cemetery appears very quickly on the left. The entrance
is marked by two stone pillars and the name. Once inside the cemetery,
bear left, go up the hill and make the first right (a hard right). The
gravesite is near the first tree on the right.

posted in just for today - 0 replies

just for today...i'm just me

brokendownangel — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 13:28:27 GMT

just wanting to say hi! just for today I will stay focused on the imprtant things in my life like my house that needs some major cleaning,my two daughters ages 7 & 18 and my 3 week old baby granddaughter and possibly finding Mr. right ..BlessedBe

posted in just for today - 2 replies

the power of the first step....

skyedrknss — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 03:54:07 GMT

what i love in the idea of powerlessness is that is not a sterilizing concept...it does not rob us of choice or dynamic action...but when properly and thoroughly explored and experienced i believe when we let go of trying to shape our lives as if we control the circumstances....in particular when we try to shape or control our lives when we are acting in our addiction....trying to fix this or that..when we let go and accept that things are unmanageable...we then have the opportunity to accept the concept of a power greater than ourselves....and i know this is getting into step two......
but accepting that we are not running the show....it is unmanageable...then we have the chance to truly accept life on life's terms....things are the way we are.....

when we are in our addiction...if life is bad...i will change it...i will fix it....i will cop a fix!
when i am recovery based...life is...people are the way they are...i do not have to change people, places or things to find serenity....i find serenity by acceptance of what is....i am open minded enough to deal with things as they are.....i am willing to work with circumstances as they are...not how i wish they would be.....and i honest about what i am, what i am doing, who i am with, and where i am......with those spiritual principles in place, powerlessness is not debilitating or robbing me of my abilities and gifts....

i am open to the majk of life....as it is....

posted in just for today - 7 replies

a recovery space.....

skyedrknss — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 02:08:58 GMT

so let this be a safe space where we can share our experience, strength & hope.....i am an addict in recovery. this summer solstice i will celebrate 10 years clean [a Power Greater Willing]. i actually came into the program in '85. i went through a relapse for 8 months when i was a month short of 9 years....i was curious...i am not curious anymore.
i love the clarity that recovery provides for me. when i was using i was completely unable to act on any wisdom that i might possess. now that i have the steps in my life, i have access to my wisdom and i have the strength to act on that wisdom.....
no...not perfect on that count... but far more skilled than i ever dreamed possible when i was using...
so let this be a start....come join with me and let's make this an epic marathon meeting in celebration of today we were clean....
share the blessings. share the gratitude. and share the love of this way of life.........

keep coming back.....

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I'm back!!!

brokendownangel — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:04:37 GMT

I've recently started going back to my NA meetings,one a week for now.I have almost 4 mos. clean time in and I thought 1 meeting a week would be a good start to keep my mind focused on whats important...my sobriety.They all missed seeing me at the meeting and even had me fill in as secretary one night,something about service work and my recovery.My daughters dont understand why I'm going when I dont have to.But just for today..I have another day sober.

posted in just for today - 2 replies

the labor pains of a different future...

skyedrknss — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 07:30:32 GMT

the old joke goes....if you want to make god laugh....make plans

the past couple months have been deeply interesting.
the community that i have been living/working in...the place where i finally felt i wanted to send down some deep roots...just at a time where i was going through the process of recommitment...on a deeper level...more significant involvment
through time i have come to recognize that spirit has different plans....
it may be that i have a role to play here...and i don't believe that i am leaving any time soon...
my fantasy [which up until 6 months ago i hadn't taken too seriously...seems to keep taking this ever developing sense of true intention] is to go live in argentina for a while and immerse myself in spanish & tango....
in order for me to accumulate the resources i require to do this relatively worry free...have the money...learn enough spanish to at least be relatively functional by the time i get there...be as skilled as i would like to be in desk-top publishing/video editing [for one of the main 'reasons' to go is to poetically describe my experience...the learning of a new language...the furthering of my movement arts knowledge]...
all of this i figure will take about another year & a half....
anyway.....
what i am getting at is this very strange period of 'Transition'
what happens when my individual plans...the plans i as an individual make....collide with the weavings of spirit....
and i have pledged myself to align myself with spirit to the best of my ability....and act on the guidance i receive....
i didn't come to this planet at this particular time to do anything half way...
and life certainly hasn't disappointed in the past say decade......lived at findhorn in scotland which revolutionized my life ....not so much changed as forged all my far ranging experiences and studies in to a coherent sort of wisdom concerning manifestation, attunement, and service...

i don't know that i have any particular point....i sort of wanted to try to set something down because part of the nature of this transition is i feel quite alone most of the time....i have a few incredible friends...i have amazing episodes with people that pass through my life...i feel incredibly blessed and majkd in how things work out for me.....and i really love who i am and what i am doing.....

i guess the true mystery lies in that there is this 'dying world'....a world that we think is so Real....
and it is this story....and it isn't even a very good story anymore....full of surreal politics, unRight livelihood, unsatisfying entertainments which just fuel The Hunger.....

and there is this Totally Mysterious world being birthed....and it is happening .....right under our collective noses....nothing to vote for or protest about.....just filled with the Extraordinariness of Creation...
and Possibility....and the majk of a new way of going about life.....
a way that is leaving fundamental tenets of Polarity behind....
we are leaving Us/Them, Black/White, Good/Bad......etc.....behind us....
not overnight mind you.....

but it is happening.....
and we get to choose to align ourselves with It.....
and for each of us the circumstances, lessons, guidance is very personal & unique.....

and i am just trying to slip into that new pool and swim in that sense of brand new majk....

and it is scary....and it is mysterious and Not Knowing.....and it is Inspiring...so hope filled....
and my faith is.....it is energizing and filled with a lot more majk, beauty & grace......

as i said....i have no idea what my point is.....

other than at times....despite my own sense of people in my tribe....my profound connections to spirit and companeros......
at this particular time....

to put it simply....i feel lonely.....
i feel deep in my Arts & my Practice......
but now.....really estranged.....

not enough people living their lives recovering from addiction....not enough people committed to being creative in all aspects of their lives....and i know that that is a poor story that i tell myself....but i do tell it...

i don't know....maybe it is 'my time of the month'. who says that a male doesn't have his cycles???

just feeling the need to share....to reach out.....i know fundamentally i couldn't ask for a better life....i think i am the luckiest person on the planet when it comes to where i live....what i do....the service i provide...the arts that i create and explore with....the resources that are available....
i guess it doesn't separate me from the occasional profound sense of isolation that is human and probably common to each and every one of us from time to time.....

thanks for letting me share.....i welcome your meditations, insights, inspiration, support, faith, hope, experiences.....

blessings on our journeys......
and thanks for the way you share your own lives, struggles, loves, creations.....in the blogs i read .....

majk & whimsy,
skye

posted in just for today - 3 replies

wow what was that

melinda — Tue, 09 May 2006 01:09:54 GMT

hi im melinda a recovering addict and have been in recovery 14yrs iwe have 4m 25d clen and have read some of the stories and would like to say concepts and world here we are how can we help step like love traditions without them we could be detrory concepts ahh now that is a spirit thing abo in its self and we get to travel too see you in the love of the fellowship

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principals befor personallitys

patrick — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 02:32:31 GMT

this is a good topic, alot of people give off that impresion of an ass or a bitch.
don't let that be their down fall, some people can't let go of certin old behaviors,
just becouse they act this way dos'nt mean they don't have a measage and thats what we need to focuse on. we might need to hear what they have to say, it could save our life or and our recovery, and just becouse they treat peopl like shit doesn't mean they dont care
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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step three......

skyedrknss — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 03:40:34 GMT

We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of a Power Greater as we understood that Power…….

When I think of this step I always think of the excerpt from the basic text of ‘We can never make this decision enough’….an elder in recovery in a meeting a long time ago also said something that I will always remember… “my program seems to be step one, step two, step three, step eleven…those steps will always lead me to any of the other steps that I need to work.”
I believe that the strength of this step is that I don’t even need to know the will of a Power Greater….i don’t need to have some clear and coherent description or concept of that Power..[I just have to believe that there is one! From step two]…I just need to turn my will and life over….no big deal, right? Yeah…..
So I can never make this decision enough…because the conditions and circumstances of my faith will always be changing….a Power Greater ‘s will is going to manifest itself in many different forms….requiring greater and lesser effort and commitment from us….so on a regular basis I will need to check in with myself…In what way have I manifested my decision to turn my will and my life over? This is going to be an ongoing challenge of my recovery….there will be times I am making this decision easily and manifesting a Power Greater ‘s will with ease and I know for a fact that there will be times when I kick and scream….I’m built that way..I admit it!
But I want my Power Greater ‘s will operating in my life…because my will is small-minded and self-centered and feeds my sense of loneliness and alienation…and those attitudes are the food for my addiction to feed on and lead me to active obsession and compulsion….
If I am turning my will and my life over I don’t need to count on myself to feed, shelter and find me people to connect with, lovers to come into my life….I have faith that a power greater will provide these things in Its time and way of going about things and not mine, in the forms it will provide and not the forms I think will be best…
Because that is my experience, strength and hope….that is the way I have experienced life when I have been active living the third step.
My Power Greater has it figured out far beyond the tiny confines of my peanut brain and its concerns…far more majkly and beautifully than even my accomplished imagination may dream….
So I want to turn my will and my life over….when I have, miracles and wonders occur in my life…in ways I would have never been able to manifest myself…like being and loving being clean today…loving where I am living, what I am doing in my life and how I see myself….I did not have any of these things in my life when I was using and my self-will was running amok.
When the Third Step is active in my life seeming ‘tragic’ personal circumstances, in retrospect, become the lessons that I recognize as being sent by a Power Greater in order that I become stronger, more empathetic, more faith-based, and certainly more willing to step out of my comfort range and areas of self interest in order to be of service…
And it is, of course, an ongoing lesson.
I’m never going to be perfect at it…or have anything but fluctuating levels of clarity concerning what a Power Greater’s Will is…..
But as long as I am just sticking to making the decision…that is all the step requires…than I will ever be pointing myself in the right direction…sometimes striding forward with great certainty…sometimes stumbling around in the most blundering and ungraceful manner…..

The Third Step is about intention…The Third Step is not about perfection or being certain or knowing all the answers…
The first step revealed to us that we didn’t have the answers. The Second had us recognize that there was a Power Greater restoring us and our lives. The Third Step requires us to devote and commit ourselves to the Power as we understand it…in order for us to be looking in the right direction for our inspiration and guidance…welcoming it into our lives.
I do this in order that Thy Will is done….and not mine.
Herein lies a better way to live than any I conjure up myself.

posted in just for today - 4 replies

Buddhist help to help yourself...

anastajah — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:43:26 GMT

Here are some fundamental characteristics of human development that lead to resilience, vitality, inner stability, and peace of mind:

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.
We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
Alternative: We admit we were out of control with/powerless over _________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
We come to believe that we have the ability to develop our inner resources through a process of learning, exploration, daily practice, diligence, self reflection, and supportive relationships with others. (This is a new version of this step)
We make a decision to become our authentic selves & trust in the healing power of the truth.
We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchal, patriarchal culture.
We share with another person all the things inside of us for which we feel shame & guilt.
We affirm & enjoy our strengths, talents, and creativity.
We become willing to let go of guilt, shame, and any behavior that keeps us from accepting ourselves & others.
We make a list of people we have harmed & people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative feelings by making amends & sharing our grievances in a respectful way.
We express love & gratitude to others, and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life & the blessings we do have.
We continue to trust our reality & daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know & we feel what we feel.
We promptly acknowledge mistakes & make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done & we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.
We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth & avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.
We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.
We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will & wisdom to follow it.
We accept that change, loss, death, and re-birth are part of the natural flow of life.
We grow in awareness that we are interrelated with all living things, and we contribute to restoring peace & balance on the planet.
This is active meditation, not medication with endless meetings for life that are depressing and disempowering. Without knowing this particular technique, I started to do something similar. Then, when I went to AA just for fun, I was so sad to see that people had to admit to being powerless to get to the first step. I never took that 1st step, I ran! I dosed myself with nutrition, love, silence, self sourcing. I quit sugar, caffeine, smoking all with ease. Not to mention my unmentionable ellicit illegal drug taking for like 16 years! And alcohol. I later found this, which is a more empowering 12 step for Buddhists.
BODHI'S BUDDHIST NON-THEISTIC 12 STEPS:

1. We admitted our addictive craving over alcohol, and recognised its consequences in our lives.
2. Came to believe that a power other than self could restore us to wholeness.
3. Made a decision to go for refuge to this other power as we understood it.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and another human being the exact moral nature of our past.
6. Became entirely ready to work at transforming ourselves.
7. With the assistance of others and our own firm resolve, we transformed unskilful aspects of ourselves and cultivated positive ones.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed.
9. Made direct amends to such people where possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. In addition, made a conscientious effort to forgive all those who harmed us.
10. Continue to maintain awareness of our actions and motives, and when we acted unskilfuly promptly admitted it.
11. Engaged through the practise of meditation to improve our conscious contact with our true selves, and seeking that beyond self. Also used prayer as a means to cultivate postive attitudes and states of mind.
12. Having gained spiritual insight as a result of these steps, we practise these principles in all areas of our lives, and make this message available to others in need of recovery\

The 12 Steps of Liberation
>>>>>Said another way:

1. The truth of suffering. We experienced the truth of our addictions – our lives
were unmanageable suffering.

2. The truth of the origin of suffering. We admit that we craved for and grasped
onto addictions as our refuge.

3. The truth of the end of suffering. We came to see that complete cessation of
craving and clinging at addictions is necessary.

4. The truth of the path. We made a decision to follow the way of liberation and
to take refuge in our wakefulness, our truth, and our fellowship.

5. Right view. We made a searching and fearless review of our life. We are
willing to acknowledge and proclaim our truth to ourselves, another human
being and the community.

6. Right thought. We are mindful that we create the causes for suffering and
liberation. Our goodness is indestructible.

7. Right speech. We purify, confess and ask for forgiveness straightforwardly
and without judgment. We are willing to forgive others.

8. Right action. We make a list of all persons we harm and are willing and able
to actively make amends to them all, unless to do so would be harmful.

9. Right livelihood. We simplify our lives, realizing we are all interconnected.
We select a vocation that supports our recovery.

10. Right effort. We realize that continuing to follow this path, no matter what, is
joyful effort.

11. Right mindfulness. Through prayer, meditation and action we will follow the
path of kindness, being mindful moment by moment.

12. Right concentration. Open to the spirit of awakening as a result of these steps,
we will carry this message to all people suffering with addictions.

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.

And I also like the Native medicine wheel way. That really puts it into perspective! I think that having these substance abuse problems actually enhanced my life.

posted in just for today - 3 replies

Just For Today Sept 4 http://naranon.tribe.net

davidb — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 16:18:00 GMT

“We try to remember that when we make amends we are doing it for ourselves"
NA Basic Text p. 40

As long as we as still owe amends, our spirits are cluttered with things we don’t need. We’re carrying the extra load of an apology owed, resentment, held, or unexpressed remorse. It’s like having messy house. We could leave so we don’t have to see the mess, or maybe just step over the piles of debris and pretend they aren’t there. But ignoring the disorder won’t make it disappear. In the end, the dirty dishes, the crumb-filled carpet, and the overflowing wastebaskets are still there, waiting to be cleaned up.
A cluttered spirit is just as hard to live with as a messy home. We always seem to be tripping over yesterday’s leavings. Every time we turn around and try to go somewhere, there is something blocking our path. The more we neglect our responsibility to make amends, the more cluttered our spirits become. And we can’t even hire someone to clean up. We have to do the work ourselves.
We gain a deep sense of satisfaction from making our own amends. Just as we would feel after we’ve cleaned our homes and have time to enjoy a bit of sunshine through sparkling windows, so will our spirits rejoice at our freedom to truly enjoy our recovery. And once the big mess is cleaned up, all we have to do is pick up after ourselves as we go along.

Just for today: I will clear away what’s cluttering my spirit by making the amends I owe.

Note: A few of us at the aa/na tribe wanted to start a Just For Today tribe. But since there already is one, we would like to begin posting the daily meditation here and invite discussion.
Last week readings are posted at http://naranon.tribe.net

posted in just for today - 2 replies