Being of Service

Written by, Kathy C.

Webster’s Dictionary defines commitment as:
“An act of doing or performing something; a promise or pledge to do something.” I describe commitment as a simple extension of oneself in service to others, done in the name of gratitude.

We can have no speakers without listeners, no takers without givers. Being of service is simply being a giver. It is a selfless action for the good of others and to better Marijuana Anonymous as a whole.

MA cannot survive without the givers in our groups. What would a meeting be without a secretary or a treasurer; Intergroup (District) without GSRs; or the World Service Conference without participants? The future of MA depends upon the simple statement of one sober addict saying,

“What can I do to be of service?”

There are many avenues for being of service in Marijuana Anonymous from a simple commitment as a cookie, coffee, or chip person at a meeting, to a Trustee on the World Service Level. Our monthly Intergroup (District) will open the door to committee commitments in the area or literature, public information, hospitals and institution panel work, and so much more. Intergrou pis a monthly meeting designed to guide and oversees the business of Marijuana Anonymous. It is for ANYONE in MA interested in being of service, not just for General Service Representatives from individual meetings.

Being a giver and being of service will ensure we will always be there for those who still suffer. In giving to others, we get so much more in return. It is a means of returning the love shared to us when we initially walked that lonely walk in our first meeting. What better way to pass on the message than through selfless acts of giving our time, our energy, and our love.

Published in A New Leaf – April 1991

  • Summer Days

    Written by, Michael M. For me, sunny summer days were made for using. At the pool. Before work. After work. For BBQ’s. For hikes in the woods. My friend used to say that weed was a “guaranteed good time.” And for addicted me, summer was prime “party” time. My mind wants to reminisce about how…

    Summer Days
  • Recovery

    Written by, Jennifer W. Yesterday is goneToday has just begunTomorrow is not yet hereThe clouds are shiftingThe fog is liftingAnd everything is made clear We can’t go back or forwardWe only have todaySo let us bow our heads and prayThat we stay in the momentNow and foreverBecause We only have today One was never enoughI…

    Recovery
  • A New Leaf on Life

    Written by, Anonymous My journey into recovery starts as a pre-teen. I was a survivor of childhood cancer– a kidney cancer– and my parents were superstitious so they did not tell me about my cancer until my pediatrician shamed them about this when I turned 10, 6 years after my treatment. I did not know…

    A New Leaf on Life
  • The Sandbar

    Written by, Anonymous She woke up and found herself alone in a rowboat, stranded on a sandbar with only food and water by her side. She wasn’t quite sure how she ended up there. She thought once the tide came in, “I can make my way to shore. I don’t need help or assistance.” As…

    The Sandbar
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “We recover by the steps we take, not the meetings we make.” Published in A New Leaf – August 2025

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Step One

    Written by, Anna T. I have admitted that I am powerless over cocaine, marijuana, my boyfriend and all mind altering drugs.   My life is/was out of control – I couldn’t handle my bills and my relationship with my boyfriend. I was having a hard time getting up for work.  I was becoming co-dependent and resentful…

    Step One