QUIET PLACE
Most of us need to withdraw from the world around us when faced with difficulties and trials.
Think of this area of our web site like a chapel in a busy airport, or as a place of rest and natural beauty on a long journey.
The following words are inspirational to us as fellow people in recovery, we hope that you find something here that will help and comfort you - wherever you may be on your journey of recovery.
By going back in our own drinking histories, we could show that years before we realised it we were out of control, that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was indeed the beginning of a fatal progression. To the doubters we could say, "Perhaps you're not an alcoholic after all. Why don't you try some more controlled drinking, bearing in mind what we have told you about alcoholism?" This attitude brought immediate and practical results. It was then discovered that when one alcoholic had planted in the mind of another the true nature of his malady, that he could never be the same again. (12 Steps & 12 Traditions, AA, Step One, Pages 23, 24) |
We admit that our lives had been unmanageable, but sometimes we have a problem admitting our need for help. Our own self-will leads to many problems in our recovery. We want and demand that things always go our way. We should know from our past experience that our way of doing things did not work. The principle of surrender guides us into a way of life in which we draw our strength from a Power greater than ourselves. Our daily surrender to our Higher Power provides the help we need. As addicts, we have trouble with acceptance, which is critical to our recovery. When we refuse to practice acceptance, we are, in effect, still denying our faith in a Higher Power. Worrying is a lack of faith.
Surrendering our will puts us in contact with a Higher Power who fills the empty place inside that nothing could ever fill. We learned to trust God for help daily. Living just for today, relieves the burden of the past and the fear of the future. (Narcotics Anonymous, Chapter 9. Just For Today, Pages 90, 91) |
There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self searching, the levelling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for it's successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. The great fact is just this and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionised our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. (Alcoholics Anonymous; The Big Book, Chapter 2, There Is A Solution, Page 25.) |
Step One; "We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable."
As addicts, we have each experienced the pain, loneliness and despair of addiction. Before coming to NA, most of us tried everything we could think of to control our use of drugs. We tried limiting our drug use to certain times or places. We even vowed to stop using altogether at a certain point. We may have told ourselves we would never do the things we saw other addicts do, then found ourselves doing those very things. Nothing we tried had any lasting effect. Our active addiction continued to progress, overpowering even our best intentions. Alone, terrified of what the future held for us, we found the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. (Narcotics Anonymous, It Works, Step One, Page 5.) |
We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief - were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralisation. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better. (Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book, More About Alcoholism, Chapter 3, Page 30.) |
We hope that you find the freedom from active addiction that we have found. We do recover to live a life filled with purpose, direction and joy. (Narcotics Anonymous, For Those In Treatment pamphlet, Page 9) |
The Promises of Recovery: We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self - seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realise that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. (Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book, Chapter 6, Into Action, Page 83, 84.) |
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide: The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide: When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Many of us are just waking up to the fact that recovery is an essential part of life for everyone. It is the simple but challenging process of daily seeking God's will for our life instead of demanding to go our own way. It is allowing God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, while also taking the steps necessary to draw closer to our Creator and Redeemer. It is a process of allowing God to heal our wounded soul so we can help others in the process of healing. All of us need to take part in this process; it is a natural part of being human.
Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying your heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. (MATTHEW 11:28-30) |
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe, in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) |
For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans for good, not evil, to give you a future and a hope. (JEREMIAH 29:11) |
God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. (REINHOLD NIEBUHR. 1892-1971) |
From chaos and emptiness. From loneliness and lifelessness. Come, Creator, come. From darkness and shapelessness. From the Abyss and dreadfulness. Come, Creator, come. From fearfulness and hopelessness. From weakness and fruitlessness. Come, Creator, come. (DAVID ADAM) |
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that who ever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (JOHN 3:16-17) |
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace... (ROMANS 15:13) |
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