“Come to hear 1st step shares from an SAA and a COSA member”
All S related program members and those affected are welcome!
Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 9am-11:30am
Location: Duck Club, 15 Riparian View, Irvine, CA 92612 Map
Continental breakfast, and water will be served. Bring your own drinks.
Suggested 7th Tradition donation is $10
Question and RSVP to debsully777@gmail.com
Please ANNOUNCE at your SAA meeting!!!
The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.
— St. Augustine.
We started recovering the minute we admitted we were powerless over our illness. We crossed over from dishonesty to honesty.
Often, we don’t see what power honesty has. Maybe we still aren’t sure that being honest is best for us. It is! This is why the authors of the Green Book ask us to be totally honest from the start.
Just as denial is what makes addiction work, honesty is what makes recovery work.
Honesty means self-respect. Honesty heals. Honesty let us look people in the eyes. What comfort we’ll feel as we deeper into our program.
Prayer for the Day: I pray that I’ll let go totally. I pray that I’ll keep no secrets that could put my sobriety at risk.
Action for the Day: Today, I’ll read the first three pages of “How It Works” in the Big Book. (If you don’t have a copy of the Big Book click here for an online version.)
Photo by Shalone Cason on Unsplash
The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.
— Robert Frost
Worry—it’s a lonely activity. It puts distance between us and others. Our program is full of ideas about what to do with worry. In Step Three, we turn our will and our lives over to God. This includes worry.
Our slogans also suggest what to do with worry. One Day at a Time. Live and Let Live. Easy Does It. Let Go and Let God. Their main message is stop worrying. Trust the program. Trust your Higher Power. Everything will be okay.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, I give You my worries. Teach me how to trust again. I want to trust in You, my program, and myself.
Action for the Day: I’ll write the program slogans listed above on a piece of paper, and I’ll read them over today. I’ll let myself live them today.
In Episode 131 of the Sex Addicts Recovery Podcast, David P shares his experience, strength, and hope. His story resonates with many, offering insights into addiction, recovery, and the complexities of family dynamics. Let’s dive into some of my key takeaways from David’s powerful share.
As with any guest on the podcast, David discusses his inner, middle, and outer circles. Hearing about David’s circles allows listeners to compare their own and perhaps discover new insights for their recovery journey. I always learn something from hearing someone else’s three circles. From David’s, I learned how he bookends activities that might be dangerous, or how he determines if something is an inner circle activity by whether it results in compulsive behavior or not.
David’s emphasis on the imperfection of families struck a chord. He reminds us that there is no such thing as a perfect family. Our childhood experiences shape us, and acknowledging this is crucial for healing. For many, childhood trauma sets off a chain reaction that impacts our choices and behaviors later in life. This realization has been very important for my own journey, and recovery.
David also talked about the love he had with his wife Tricia, and his children. A beautiful example of love, and healing.
David had a pivotal moment during a noon Zoom meeting. He chose to come out as a gay man. This was a significant step to David putting down his self-hatred and self-loathing. This act was transformative for his recovery. Many sex addicts face a similar need—to confront their inner struggles and find acceptance.
David’s story serves as a beacon of hope. If you’re seeking connection or support, consider joining the noon Zoom meetings or exploring the podcast. Remember, healing is possible, imperfections and all.
The image below was inspired by David’s talk!
This meeting held at noon Pacific time, seven days a week! Info below:
https://www.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 295782597
Password: 12Stepat12
Contact: noonzoomroom@gmail.com
Have you listened to the podcast? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!
“Come to hear 1st step shares from an SAA and a COSA member”
All S related program members and those affected are welcome!
Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 9am-11:30am
Location: Duck Club, 15 Riparian View, Irvine, CA 92612 Map
Continental breakfast, and water will be served. Bring your own drinks.
Suggested 7th Tradition donation is $10
Question and RSVP to debsully777@gmail.com
Please ANNOUNCE at your SAA meeting!!!
Showing up is 80 percent of life. — Woody Allen
Life is full of things we don’t want to do. Yet when all parts of us (mind, body, spirit) show up, things go okay. By being there, we can learn about ourselves and help others. Showing up means we care about our program. It means we speak up at meetings. It means we care about our family, our friends, the world. It means we listen when a friend has a bad day. It means seeing ourselves in others. It means we talk to someone who bothers us. Showing up means we laugh when something seems funny. It means we cry when we feel sad. We’re important, and we need to bring our mind, body, and spirit with us —wherever we go. Have I learned to show up, all of me?
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me show up for my life. Help me show up to do my part in Your plan today.
Action for the Day: As I go through my day, I’ll think about how I’m showing up for my life. I’ll be proud of myself for doing my part.
I was intimidated by Step Five, because it meant revealing my darkest secrets to another person. Afraid that I would be rejected for being less than perfect, I put so much energy into hiding the truth that, although no one rejected me, I was as isolated and lonely as if they had.
When I realized how painful it was to continue living that way, I found a Sponsor and asked for help. We worked the Fifth Step, and I shared some of my characteristics and attitudes that I found particularly shameful. My Sponsor began to laugh. “You see,” he quickly explained, “I’m laughing because five years ago I said the same things to my Sponsor, almost word for word!”
I would never have imagined the universality of my experiences. I would never have guessed that, in sharing what I felt made me different from other people, I would discover how alike we all really are.
Today’s Reminder
Many have known shame and fear and many have known joy. Sharing mine with others today will make my ride through life a smoother one.
From the book Courage to Change
© Copyright Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 1992
I spend more time with myself than with anyone else. Wouldn’t it make sense to put some energy into making that relationship as fulfilling as possible? Another person cannot prevent me from feeling lonely, but my inner emptiness can be satisfied. I can come to value my own company. I am a worthwhile companion.
Today, when I’m by myself, I will know that I am in good company. When I stop expecting others to meet all of my needs, I find new and exciting ways to enjoy my own friendship. And when I do get lonely, I have the comfort and support of a Higher Power who never leaves me.
Today’s Reminder
Today I will spend some time exploring the most intimate human relationship I will ever have—my relationship with myself.
“What a lovely surprise to discover how un-lonely being alone can be.” — Ellen Burstyn
From the book Courage to Change
© Copyright Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 1992
Photo by Diogo Nunes on Unsplash
You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from passing over your head, but you can prevent their making their nest in your head. —Chinese proverb Life is full of feelings.
We can be happy, sad, mad, scared. These feelings can come and go quickly. Or we may hang on to them. As recovering addicts, we used to hang on to feelings that made us feel bad. We let them make “nests” in our hair. We used our feelings as excuse to act out. Now we’re learning to hang on to our good feelings. We can let go of anger, hurt, and fear. We can shoo away the birds of sadness and welcome the birds of happiness.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me become a “bird watcher.” Help me learn from my feelings. And help me let go of the bad one so I can be happy.
Action For the Day: If I need to get rid of the sadness or anger that I’m hanging on to, I’ll get help from my sponsor, a counselor, or a clergy person.
Photo by Yuyang Liu on Unsplash
Patience is needed with everyone, but first of all with ourselves. — St. Francis de Sales
How do you treat yourself? Do you talk to yourself in a kind and loving voice? We can’t be kind and loving to others until we learn to be kind and loving with ourselves. To live this way, we must give ourselves the gift of patience. Let’s practice patience with ourselves daily. Practice talking to yourself in a kind, loving voice. Your voice will be that of a loving parent who helps a child with a new task. Your Higher Power is willing to be patient with you. Give yourself the same gift.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, I pray that I’ll treat myself and others with the same loving patience You’ve shown me.
Action for the Day: I will listen to how I talk to myself. I will practice talking to myself with a kind, loving, and patient voice.
Photo by Kyndall Ramirez on Unsplash
OC Intergroup of SAA 