Carrying the Message

group discussion

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 me going to meetings when the rigors of every day in MA that service would help to keep me sober. It kept me going to meetings when the rigors of every day life seemed more important. It brought me out of the woodwork and make me feel a part of the group. This past Memorial Day Weekend when I had the privilege to serve as a delegate for our district to the Fourth Annual MA World Conference in Pasadena, service allowed me to see the large foundation upon which my own program of recovery is based. The Conference brought together delegates from all over California and Washington for three days of hard work, much needed MA meetings and a sprinkling of fun. 

I was amazed at the working structure that already existed for getting these things done. We met in committees for the first day and a half, sharing ideas and preparing materials and motions to bring to the larger group for the second day and a half. Some of the many accomplishments of this Conference included an H&I manual, an expanded new starting pack, and MA business letter to aid intra-district communication and plans for an MA service manual to be written over this coming year by a committee of delegates. Old friendships were renewed, new friendships were made and all of us had the opportunity to participate in our own sobriety and in sobriety of those who have not yet, but hopefully will, reach the door of MA. When they do, we will definitely be these for them. Thank you for letting me be of service, it was truly a gift.

Published in A New Leaf – June 1991

More Articles

  • Onward Sober Soldiers

    Written by, Anonymous I am engaged in a war with a beast that lives inside of me. It is old, born in the garden of Eden, enslaving all addicts. It is no coincidence that the Jewish holiday of Passover fell while I was detoxing, for this holiday celebrates the release of Jews from slavery. I…

    Onward Sober Soldiers
  • Gifts of the Program

    Written by, Terri R. I got my nine month chip at a Glendale MA meeting this week. I am the type of person who reflects on my progress whenever I reach a milestone like this. Course, I am very proud of myself. However, I’m also thinking of all the gifts I received from the program…

    Gifts of the Program
  • Love and Understanding

    Written by, Terry M. In the book, “The Road Less Traveled,” Scott Peck defines love as “the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” One of the first things I remember being told when I reached these rooms was “we will love you until you learn…

    Love and Understanding
  • Thoughts from the Field 

    Written by, John H. I believe in myselfI believe that every action for myselfgives value to myselfand if you are willing to actin love of youI believe in you The story of my recovery is the story of desire. What I desired was life, for I was living without desire. I did not know who…

    Thoughts from the Field 
  • 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
  • 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