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

  • Progress Not Perfection

    Written by, Mariska P. The Fourth MA Conference meant progress and letting go for me.  Just under two years ago, it was “us” versus “them” and now it is “we”, a true unified entity of marijuana addicts in recovery. My how far we have come. Imagine through all the different opinions and personalities, Marijuana Anonymous…

    Progress Not Perfection
  • Carrying the Message

    Written by, Andi A. The Twelfth Step tells us, having had a spiritual awakening as the result of the Steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs. I learned very early on in MA that service would help to keep me sober. It kept…

    Carrying the Message
  • Hugs, Service and Sobriety

    Written by, Tina K. Words can’t begin to express my feelings or explain the love that was generated through the 1991 World Conference. When I got clean and sober almost 18 months ago, I honestly didn’t think I’d have a good time doing it! I had a chance to be of service this weekend and…

    Hugs, Service and Sobriety
  • Hey, what’s this basket for?

    Written by, Loren N. The monies collected during our Seventh Tradition ultimately goes to carrying the message of Marijuana Anonymous, not only locally, but worldwide. When this is hampered, the addict is the one who suffers or dies. Most of us figured that the basket money went to rent, literature, coffee, and cookies. Whatever was…

    Hey, what’s this basket for?
  • Doin’ What Feels Good

    Written by, Dave K. I have always had difficulty understanding how and why people don’t do a lot of what feels good. In other words, when I first began smoking pot, it felt very good, so I did it a lot. Sex is the same thing. It feels good, so I do it – and…

    Doin’ What Feels Good
  • Hunger in Chains

    Written by, John C. I wake up to the gnaw, the claw, the whisper—a voice that slithers in my veins,coiling around my ribs like a python with patience.It doesn’t scream; it seduces,doesn’t demand; it devours. I tell myself, not today.Today I will walk past the firewithout dipping my hands into the flames.Today I will not…

    Hunger in Chains