So - If we are in a good strong place, it is a good time to look around and

say "What can I do next, how can I grow and give back more ?"

I have been looking for someone to 'have my back' be a guardian and

even a supporter.  (Our champion coach here on this site has been

encouraging the idea for a while-) I have another friend not in recovery who

values and strives to do this too.

Well I have a dream to strive for. So-I'm taking up the challenge.

Finaly found someone who fits the encouragement & coach role. I made an

appointment and went to meet  her yesterday. Supportive, trustworthy

and compassionate-seems to me. So we are going forward on a new journey.

It has a shape, direction, and many possible pathes. It has all the flexibilty

fitting such an attempt. She feels I have simplified it, shaped it, sufficiently

to make it viable and attainable. It may not end up exactly as I envision

it, could end up better !  It will require applying program principles and

sometimes reaching beyond my comfort zone...however I know, thanks to

recovery- that if I take it a step at a time and a day at a time- I'll achieve

some form of success.  Blessings, Nia

Tags: Sobriety Recovery Life

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Dip into this one-

Imagine a ferris wheel, all lit up against the night.

Somehow this image came to me yesterday as a part of a friends

drawing- I was thinking family at the time, because he mentioned it

as a theme for his piece.

I took what I liked from that- and worked with a challenge- to depict

'family'.That piece of mine was quite disjointed in the sense of process.

(Coming apart ?versus coming together?)

Today I played  with the image again.  More along the lines of a

"Daisy ferris wheel" and then the whole thing took off with a life of its

own !

I started wondering if there was a ferris wheel full of family

and friends- how did that feel? did I have a whole wheel full of people in my

life I could trust ? How much could I trust ? would it be sustained ?

I won't really be able to trace all of the thoughts and feelings from that

accurately - but it brought me to draw a picture of a 'Daisy ferris wheel'-

and thus I discovered how strong and evolving the trust was...How beautiful-

How the colors and lines worked together- how each knew its place -and job

in the whole...

 There were prayers and tears all along in that experience- and it seemed

important to share.   Blessings, Nia

Tags: Recovery Lifesobriety

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   I did my very first 'Lay service' at my Church. I must say not only was it

a fun experience- it was certainly a landmark. I did it on a very special

person of influence- a Minister, who was expceptionally spiritual, open,

honest and willing ! ( not even in our fellowship)

   I came away from it quite pleased . Seems people enjoyed it!

I could see doing 1 or 2 a year, it was a lot of work! Nia

Tags: Sobrieyrecovery Life

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Reading a back issue of Unitarian Universalist Magazine

( www.uuworld.org) Summer '09. and once again I have been intrigued

by their 'reflections' section-(p.19) 3 pieces that fed me in different ways!

Please do not think I am tooting any horns-  simply sharing some

good considerations. ( attraction not promotion) = resources

Infact the second piece-talks about where I come from: " There is truth to be

found in all religions, but no one religion holds all truth." p21 L. Pedersen.

That pretty well sums up my philosphy- reinforces & supports my approach.

( take what you like and leave the rest.)

   The next piece has some good things to say about Ego and Spirit ...

How they both serve us and compliment each other- p. 21. Ego helps

us discover who we are as individual entities; and Spirit recombines us

with all 'beyond our skin'...

   The first piece is marvelous in its connection to the natural world-

someone learning from elephants!  -I certainly identify- animals have been

true teachers for me. Reflecting back honest lessons.

   So, reaching out to learn more, has yet again, broadened my world.

You can peruse this site freely and I certainly intend to check out more

on these various books-     Be well and happy hunting-   Nia

Tags: Sobriety Life

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   H.O.W.       You know what it stands for !

I am finding half measures, regarding suggestions...The women

I sponsor are not  -100%-

Am I spinning my wheels?  spitting into the wind?  OK- so I am stepping back

now. I have vented.

I admit I want     HOW    'As only the dying can be' !

Yet,  I am not their HP.     I am not in charge.

I can only pass on my experience, strength and hope...

I turn it over and let it go--- I breath- pray-        Nia

Tags: Sobriety Life

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Carry The Messge, Joe McQ. August House,c. 2002.

Came across  (the above) back to basics book which

stresses  fundamental tenets of the Big Book & Sponsorship.

It talks about the bedrock process of getting sober and

timely work on the steps.(top Page 5)

" The domino effect"  - the momentum- (admission of

powerlessness came to believe, made a decision-)  How when

baking a cake we do not" Put the flour in this week, the eggs

in next week , and the milk a week later."( same page&

paragraph)

  How grand a reminder is that !?!  And it doesn't stop

there-read on- Blessings, Nia

Tags: Sobriety Life

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 Woke to an image...not uncommon. A woman standing

3/4 view. Soft shoulder. In a dusty brown coat, scarf over her hair.

reading a paper. leather suitcase on the ground to her left.

This is someone who (I) feel immediate comfort,even welcome

on approach. steady, glad to see you, smile that stays-

she does not turn away, listens without rush, or urgancy.

I even could envision an arm over my shoulder.

   Unconditional ? how many people do you/I get that

 from. I could think of one or two this morning...

how rich is that ?     Blessings, Nia

Tags: Life Sobriety

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Striving for the middle of the see-saw...

  A person standing on the porch of a new day. Having said their prayers

and just read a meditation( about the Shakers) " Hands to work and

Hearts to God"

   The beauty and simplicity of their living and productivity...

Yet few Shakers remain today. Something(s) happened-

for all the wonderous efforts that way of life is pretty much

gone. Similarity can be found in Quakers and Amish-

( and I'm told Menonite)

The book I have been reading talks about man being

a blend of "1/2 spirit and 1/2 animal"...

Shakers were celibate; was that the downfall ?

-they did not feed the whole being ?

striving for 'Progress not perfection' is the 12 step

suggestion. Yes this drunk needs to beware of pride-

not to rest on any laurels... keep moving.

Pass on to others our experience, strength and hope...

Give what we have been given, to keep clean and sober

for today.  Nia

Tags: Sobriety Life

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A small, simple challenge- taking a scene of spiritual

importance from my past -and- developing it into a

10-12 minute lay sermon....starting with:

A jewel of a person- who inspired me to seek out and

develop, my own spiritual beliefs. Then asking:

How does sacred appear in 'my' life today ?

What rituals are in place ?

Am I/you growing ? Reading and questioning / reflecting?

Do I share my beliefs ?

Can I ask thought provoking questions?

Is there unity & consitency between my fellowship

work- and -worship on Sunday ? -lots of prayer!

(this is a non traditional Interfaith Church)

Can I present this in a way where it is not about me ?

or at least balanced with examples, so it is a

launch point for others -

We will see ! Nia

Tags: Sobriety Life

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