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August 20th – A Handbook for Living
“It’s as though I finally got that ‘How To’ manual I always wanted when I was younger.”
– Lightweight, Life with Hope, second edition, pages 186-187
This quote is from the story Lightweight in Life with Hope. I’d never wondered about a how-to manual growing up, but I related to this idea all the same. I grew up thinking everyone knew more than me. When I had a dilemma before recovery, I would ask eight different people what I should do, and get eight different answers. Only after working the Steps, did I begin to trust that I have my own answers, instead of relying on someone else.
I came to recovery unable to trust anyone or anything; mostly I couldn’t trust myself. I’d wanted to quit marijuana years before I was able, and I was constantly making other people my Higher Power. Eventually, working the program, and forming real friendships with other recovering addicts who were safe, has helped me learn how to trust myself. I finally got the tools I didn’t know I needed to help me learn to live a happy, joyous, and free life, clean, one day at a time.
Final thought: Today, I have a program and a fellowship to help me live life on life’s terms.
Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.
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A New Leaf – Online
Where Marijuana Anonymous members spark creativity by sharing experience, strength, and hope.
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Hundreds Flock to MA Yard Sale
Written by, Carol M. First, the good news. The second yard sale we had (this time at my house) on the weekend of April 13 and 14 [1991], was a rousing financial success. We brought in $788.10 through our own contributions (this time from the shirts off our backs, not to mention the junk from…
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Dear Mary Jane,
Written by, Anonymous I am done. I’m done wasting every single moment of every day getting high. You will not steal any more time away from me. For the last eight years of my life, you were my best friend, my partner, my home. You were my safety. You were everything to me, but you…
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Forgetfulness of Being
Written by, Sail R. Forgetfulness-of-being Did you forgetthat surrender comesat the foot to the well of being? Did you forgetthat the womb is a woundand not a home for the orphan? Did you forgetthat bubbles burst forthlike new egos,tenuous and awaitingits own destruction? Published in A New Leaf – July 2025
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Durable Insight
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Little Victories
Written by, Ernest F. I remember someone saying to share at a meeting. Someone may be going through what you have been through or have known personally. Victories should be shared even if they are little; it provides others with a sense of looking forward, or hope! Meditation has gotten better for me, I use…
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Why MA?
By, Chuck R. A lot of people in other 12 Step programs ask the question, “Why Marijuana Anonymous?” I tell them that for twelve years, I was in and out of AA and NA and could not put together any length of sobriety or stop smoking pot. I tell them that I could stop drinking…
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