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Linn-Benton-Lincoln Area

 

 

NEWSLETTER

Text Box: Linn – Benton – Lincoln Area Narcotics Anonymous Newsletter         Volume 2 Number 1—January 2005

  

Happy New Year’s!

 

The area has voted to keep the newsletter so now there are a couple of things that have been brought up in regards to it. We will need to vote on these at the group level so we can make the changes if needed.

 

There are some people who do not believe we should put up coming birthdays in the newsletter in case one of the people should relapse. The newsletter committee should vote on this but since there isn’t one I think that the groups need to do this. I have given a form to the GSRs to take back to the groups to bring this up at their business meeting. The other thing is do we want to pick a name for our newsletter or keep it the way it is.

 

Text Box: When I do the Service Work that needs to be done, whatever it is, I am earning the trust of the people in NA, and when I help, I serve.
The Fellowship seems to really want this newsletter but we can only keep it going if you, the people of the fellowship, turn in stuff to be printed in it. We would appreciate any feed back from you on what you think, and we would love to print your experience, strength, and hope. Don’t be shy and if you are you don’t have to put your name on it.

 

This article was too large to put in the newsletter so I’ve used parts of it.

 

Personal Service

 

There are all kinds of good reasons for not doing service work: “It’s all politics”; “I’m too new”; “I don’t understand how service works”; I’ve done my share”; “I’m too busy.” And you know, I’ve said some of the same things. But too often I’ve been just complacent or lazy. I hung out at the meetings and forget that one word in our First Tradition-personal.

 

I’ve heard many people say that service work is all politics. Well, I think they’re partly right. We do have our “service politicians,” and yes, we do get into an occasional heated argument. The misconception is that the “politics” is sinister or corrupt. That’s not what I’ve seen. Love and tolerance always seem to win out, even over our monstrous egos.

 

Personal conflicts are common in NA-we’re no different from the rest of the world on that point. Yet I’ve found two constructive things that I can do when I’m caught up in a conflict with others. I can make an effort to keep my mouth shut. This allows me the time to listen and see where they’re right instead of trying to prove them wrong. And I can remember that God is our ultimate authority-not me.

 

When personalities clash and there is fighting in a group, area or region, it really stifles our ability to carry the NA message, I have to remember the equation: NA Steps + NA Service = Twelve Step Calls =Recovery. And isn’t that our primary purpose?

 

Then there are those “oldtimers” who, after a few years of experience, will back out of service work saying things like, “I’ve done my share,” or “I’m giving the newcomers a chance.” Please let’s not confuse our practice of rotation with

 

 

quitting altogether. I know that I need their experience. Our fellowship as a whole needs it. And we need their hands, too. If everyone before me had cycled themselves out of service, NA might not have been there for me.

 

Being too busy for service can, however, be all too real at times. I find that there are periods when I seem to have little time for service. The responsibilities of family and jobs, or just giving myself time to rest and recreate, mean that sometimes I need to say no. In the past, I’ve seen others do the same. It’s not a pretty sight! Looking back on those times, I’ve been either full of misplaced spiritual fervor or I’ve been having a giant-sized ego attach.

GM – Iowa

Taken from, NA Way Magazine, June 1989

 

Thanks to the fellowship and my higher power for this opportunity to share my experience, strength, and hope in regards to Service in Recovery. Service is very important for me. The commitment to service provides me with the opportunity to give back to the program of Narcotics Anonymous what has been given so freely to me. Service keeps me close with all of you as well as the program itself. I am able to get out of myself and do for others by doing service. It teaches me responsibility. Service also allows me to be teachable. Service is being able to go to all lengths for my recovery, one of the lengths anyway. I’m going to keep doing service because it is working for me and it can work for you. You just have to want more for your recovery. I want it. You can too.

                Herbert B

 

The subject for the next newsletter is “How Does Your Sponsor Help You In Your Recovery”.

 

 

This section is for letters, poetry, opinions, and even tasteful recovery jokes. Your submissions become property of the L-B-L Newsletter. Send your submissions to L-B-L Newsletter, C/O Patti Nichols, 1050 SW Jefferson # 2, Corvallis, OR 97333.

 LETTING GO

 

To ”let go” does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.

To “let go” is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization I can’t control another.

To “let go” is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another, it’s to make the most of myself.

To “let go” is not to care for, but to care about.

To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To “let go” is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To “let go” is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality.

To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept.

To “let go” is not to nag, scold or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.

To “let go” is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.

To “let go” is to fear less and love more.

                                                                                     ~ Author Unknown  ~

 

 

THE TWELVE STEPS OF NON-RECOVERY
 

1)       We admitted we were powerless over NOTHING, that we would manage our lives perfectly and the lives of anyone who would allow us to.

2)       Came to believe there was no power greater than ourselves and that the rest of the world was insane.

3)       Made a decision to have our loved ones and friends turn their will and their lives over to our care, even though they couldn’t understand us.

4)       Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of everyone we know.

5)       Admitted to the world the exact nature of everyone else’s wrongs.

6)       Were entirely ready to make others straighten up and do right.

7)       Demanded to others to shape up or ship out.

8)       Make a list of all persons who had harmed us and became willing to go to any lengths to get even.

9)       Got direct revenge on such people wherever possible, except when to do so would cost us our lives or at the very least a jail sentence.

10)   Continued to take the inventory of others and when they were wrong promptly and repeatedly told them about it.

11)   Sought through complaining and nagging to improve our relationships with others as we couldn’t understand them, asking only that they knuckle under and do it our way.

12)   Having had a complete physical, emotional, and spiritual breakdown as a result of these steps, we continued to blame it on others and to get sympathy and pity in all our affairs.

 

  

The Power of a Daughter

 

Written for a mother that was lost and has now found herself. Welcome back to reality mom.

 

I missed you for seventeen years

You were here

But with the flick of a lighter

You were gone

You knew it hurt but didn’t care

You kept disappearing into a black hole

That I like to call an addiction

I seen you climbing out of it

I heard you yell

But I didn’t care

I wanted to see you as a friend

Instead of a mother

It hurt

As the power of the only daughter

I stayed strong

Because faith said

You’ll pull it together

I missed you mom

Stay strong.


 

Untitled

Written by: Unknown

 

If my “glamorous” lifestyle is appealing to you, and you want to try me because you’ve nothing to lose… Then, let me give you a bit of advice. You are a fool, and you’d better think twice.

 

I destroy homes; I tear families apart; I take your children; and that’s just the start.

 

I’m more valued than diamonds, more precious than gold. The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

 

If you need me, remember: I’m easily found. I live all around you, in school and in town.

 

I live with the rich; I live with the poor; I live down the road, and maybe next door.

 

I’m made in a lab, but not in one like you think. I can be made under your kitchen sink.

 

And even out in the woods. If this scares you to death, it certainly should.

 

I have many names, but there’s one you’ll know best. I’m sure you’ve heard of me. My name is Crystal Meth.

 

My power is awesome; try me, you’ll see. But if you do, you may never break free.

 

Just try me once; I might let you go. But try me twice, then I own your soul.

 

You’ll steal and lie. You’ll do what you have to, just to get high.

The crimes you’ll commit, for my narcotic charms. Will be worth the pleasure, you’ll feel in my arms.

 

You’ll lie to your mother; you’ll steal from your dad. When you see their tears, you must not feel sad.

 

Just forget your morals, and how you were raised. I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways.

 

I take kids from their parents; I take parents from their kids. I turn people from God; I separate friends.

 

I’ll take everything from you, even your good looks, and your pride. I’ll be with you always, right here by your side.

 

You’ll give up everything, your family, and your home…your money, your friends…you’ll be all alone.

 

‘Till you’ve no more to give, when I’m finished with you, you’ll be lucky to live.

 

If you try me be warned, THIS IS NOT A GAME. If I’m given the chance, I’ll drive you insane.

 

I’ll ravage your body; I’ll control your mind. I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I’ll give you, when you’re lying in bed. And the voices you’ll hear, from inside your head.

 

The sweats, the shakes, and the visions you’ll see. I want you to know, these are your gifts from me.

 

By then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are now mine, and we shall not part.

 

You’ll regret that you tried me… they always do. Remember, you came to me, not I to you.

 

You knew this would happen, how many times were you told. But you challenged my power; you chose to be bold.

 

You could have said “NO” and then walked away. If you could live that day over, now, what would you say?

 

My power is awesome, as I told you before. I can take your mother, and turn her into a whore.

 

Go ahead and curse me, with every breath.  

 

Just make your choice, will it be life or meth?

 

You will take unknown paths, on your journey through life. Some will bring happiness; some will bring strife.

 

But, my path is one you must not ever cross.

 

Although it’s well trodden, countless lives have been lost.

 

Now that you’ve met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you.

 

I can show you more misery than words can tell. Come take my hand, let me lead you to Hell.


 

 

The Philomath, Serenity Well meeting has a potluck the second Wednesday, of every month. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m.

 

The Siletz, Freedom Group has a potluck the last Tuesday, of every month. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:30 p.m.

 

The Siletz, The Only Requirement For Membership meeting has a Speaker meeting the last Saturday of every month.

 

Text Box:                 Clean                                                 Time

 

NA Birthdays


 

January                                                                      March

 

Delina J                 1-12-02                  2 Years                                  Linda T                 2-21-97                  8 Years

Brad T                   1-16-97                  8 Years

Jenifer M               1-19-02                  3 Years

 

 

February

 

Claire K                2-05-00                  5 Years

Dawn S                 2-16-04                  1 Year

Dave M                 2-16-04                  1 Year

Megan B               2-25-04                  1 Year