Faith Can Be Slippery

Written by, Susan C.

I didn’t know what trust was when I got into recovery. I had no faith. Pot had been my higher power for more than 15 years. When people said their higher power was keeping them clean and sober, I was confused. How come I used so much longer than I wanted to? People who had a higher power seemed happy, so I acted as if I had one until one day I didn’t feel alone. It was a slow process to create a relationship with a higher power of my own understanding. If I trust my higher power cares for me, and I have faith that I’m not alone, I can listen to hear my higher power. That is how my higher power can keep me clean and sober: if I listen and stay connected. Once the fog lifted, I now have access to the sunlight of the spirit. I used to think that once I was connected I always would be. But I’ve discovered that faith, like everything else, comes and goes. Now I don’t fret so much when I feel disconnected. I try to remember that I AM always connected to the universal web of life and love. Being human I will forget, and then I’ll remember again. That’s a really good reason to keep coming to meetings.

Published in A New Leaf – March 2026

  • Dear Marijuana

    Written By, Kristen J Dear Marijuana, I know I’m a little late here. And as I continue these ongoing efforts of prying myself from your shackles, I know that I can say “goodbye” to the belief that you are the only one who can embrace and comfort me. I can do that for myself now;…

    Dear Marijuana
  • How the Promises Have Come True to Me Through Service

    Written by, Heather C. My time in active addiction was plagued by feelings of uselessness. I felt that I was not a “productive” member of society because I had to stop working due to chronic health issues, and receive disability benefits to survive. Initially, I abused substances more and more to try and push those…

    How the Promises Have Come True to Me Through Service
  • THEN and NOW

    Written by, Al E. The sixties, everybody was tuning in, turning on, and dropping out. I wanted to feel a part of it all. Love-ins, concerts, flowers in my hair, Beatles, Doors, Stones, and even the music went against the “norm.” I’d swear to this day that the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper told us to “smoke…

    THEN and NOW
  • Thought for the Day

    “Yesterday ended last night. Every day is a new beginning learn the skill of forgetting and move on.” – Written by, Norman V.P. Published in A New Leaf – May 1991

    Thought for the Day
  • The Heart of the Seventh Tradition

    Written by, an Anonymous Trusted Servant The Seventh Tradition is about more than “just” money. It’s about unity, responsibility, and protecting MA’s integrity. By declining outside contributions, we remain free from outside influence. That means it’s up to us to keep our fellowship strong. This Tradition is vital to MA’s growth. It deepens our spiritual…

    The Heart of the Seventh Tradition
  • Contemplating Fellowship

    Written by, Geoff F. Recently, it came to my attention that a new MA meeting has been started at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center in West Hollywood. I knew one day such a meeting would start, for if we believe even Master’s and Johnson’s conservative statistics, 10% of all marijuana addicts are gay. I…

    Contemplating Fellowship