Jan-Feb 2014 - Step 12 Magazine

Transcription

January/February 2014
Issue No. 2
FREE
Recovery for California’s Inland Empire
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Plus
Hooking Up in the Program
in time for Valentine’s Day
INSIDE:
* Horoscopes
* Puzzles
* Recovery Resources
* Upcoming Events
* Humor Page
* Newcomers Page
Page 2
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Issue no. 2
Page 3
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W
e hear the term “goal” and we respond based on our personal histories. Some of us
shudder at the thought of having to “make a plan” or “commit” to something. It’s
hard for some of us to even set a goal for the morning, let alone for a lifetime. Think about
how hard it was to commit to getting clean and/or sober. The idea of maintaining this
commitment for a lifetime is sometimes overwhelming even for the most seasoned person
in recovery. To accomplish back-to-back years of clean time or sobriety, we chunk it down
to a palatable “one day at a time.”
Imagine that life is like a football game and the playing field is our conscious reality. Just beyond the borders of our reality,
there is a whole slew of activity and none of it is within our control. There are people waiting to jump into our game, plans
being made that could affect our decisions, and various levels of chatter within earshot cheering us on or booing our progress.
The Offence is our immediate support system. We have a quarterback (our ego) taking action according to “the plan” and
reacting to the field conditions, an offensive line protecting the ego from interference (in active addiction these are our enablers), running backs and wide receivers (family, friends, and support network) who make it possible to execute our plans.
We have a defense to stop the other teams from setting us back. Often, our defenses put a lot of effort into stopping the other team from reaching their goals. We attack their ego, we interfere with their progress, and we even strip the ball right out
of their hands. Some of this is old behavior and some of it is self-survival. It happens. They do it to us, we do it to them,
and in recovery we reflect on our motivations – both offensive and defensive.
On the field we make quick decisions and execute last minute strategies as we work our way towards the goal. Little goals
move us towards larger goals. We don’t’ have to reach the goal on the first try – we have 4 attempts (downs) to continue our
progress before the offence takes a break.
We prepare for the game as best we can with the resources we have. Some of us are gifted with better foundations than
others – better work ethics, better confidence, better conditioning, and better skills. Some foundations are stronger at birth.
Some foundations are stronger through adversity. Every player has the ability to move the ball forward.
If our life is like a football game, then the ball is our recovery. It has to be protected at all cost. We can’t reach our goals
without protecting the ball. If we drop the ball, forward motion stops and we have to regroup. If we give the ball to those
we share the field with, we lose our power to advance and we are at their mercy to give the ball back.
Eventually, with persistence, we reach the goal. We celebrate. We kiss the ball because we know how important the ball has
been on our journey. We celebrate with the people who cheered us on because we know how important they’ve been to our
momentum. We’re excited. We’re tired. We’re happy. And we know that reaching the goal is not the end of the game and
we immediately start to focus on the next goal.
The goal is symbolic of our hopes and dreams. Every game is different, every goal is different, and every effort is different.
We must move forward to reach our goals. No matter what the goal is, and no matter how often it changes, the strategy is
always the same – forward progress and focus.
Disappointments do not abolish the goal, they just give us a reason to step back and make sure our path is in
line with what our higher power wants for us and that we’re not skipping important steps on the
journey.
ing?
ou go
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r
If we were to imagine that life is like a football game, the game
a
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oing
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ould
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starts with the coin-toss (birth), and it doesn’t end until the
a
“C
here
ich w
on w
: Wh
o.”
lights go out and the scoreboard goes blank (death). The final
s
e
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score doesn’t really matter in the end. Instead, most people will
Th
hich
ow.
roll
Cat:
is Car
n’t kn
tter w
w
a
o
remember the quality of the effort, the challenges that were met,
e
d
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m
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’
:
oesn
Ali ce
and the teamwork and leadership that was displayed. Whatever
n it d
e
Th
the goal – keep your eyes on it and always protect the ball!
Cat:
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Page 4
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Inside This Issue
Features
Stuff
Metaphorically Speaking -7
Upcoming Events - 9
Keeping Your Eyes on the Goal- 3
Newcomers Page -10
Hooking Up in the Program - 5
Word Search -11
Famous Quotes about Goals - 6
The 12 Steps of Relapse - 8
Gazette Humor -15
Horoscopes -17
Letter from the Editor -18
Pets in Recovery?-12
Thoughts on Surrender - 13
Reflections on Decision Making - 14
Contact Us
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760-898-8354
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Recovery Resources
Throughout
Local Helplines
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Issue no. 2
Page 5
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HOOKING UP IN THE
PROGRAM
One of the oldest topics discussed by AA and NA members
(and others) is the idea of finding romance in the program –
or, as the younger generation calls it, “hooking up”. We see
it all the time, no matter what fellowship we go to, mostly
because it is such a natural thing for people to do.
ing to meetings in early recovery. But then again, we can be
so crazy that if we go to a meeting and our ‘dream person’
isn’t there, we may jump up and leave the meeting. Not good.
So, just like many issues we face, there’s going to be good and
bad.
First of all, many of us come to 12 step meetings after having destroyed many of our previous relationships so we find
ourselves “single” and healthier than we have been in quite
a while. Plus, if you add the “hole in our soul” that we used
to try and fill with other things, it’s a perfect recipe for the
“mating game”.
Probably, the best way we can approach this is, number one,
to talk to our sponsors about it and be honest with them.
Don’t just tell them what we think they want to hear but tell
it like it is. Secrets are dangerous. Maybe then they can at
least give us some behavioral boundaries or words of caution
based on years of experience. They might remind us of the
awful possibility that flirting in the rooms can lead to us or
someone else getting hurt. That’s tough no matter how long
we’ve been clean and sober. It’s all very rocky terrain with
land mines and potholes everywhere. But on the good side,
anything we can do to keep our meetings and the fellowship
in the center of our universe - even if it’s seeking love or a job, in addition to recovery and
friendships - is a good thing.
There are many negative aspects that have been talked about
with this subject – everything from “13th stepping” (experienced members hitting on newcomers) to “taking the focus off of recovery/sobriety”. Many people feel like it is a
direct threat to someone’s well-being...the idea of be-coming
obsessed with romance and have that overshadowing the healing process. So, let’s take
a look at the pros and cons of this very sensitive issue.
The arguments against dating in the program
are kind of different with respect to newcomers as opposed to people who have over
a year or two. If you’re new to “the rooms”,
it is really crucial that you get a foothold in
what’s going to be a life or death thing before
you get distracted by anything, much less a new romance.
That’s a ‘no-brainer’. However, if you’re one of these people
who has to have somebody, most people will agree it’s better to
make it a recovering or sober person than some abusive, still
using character from your recent past. The important thing is
that no matter what we do, as newcomers or long-timers, we
have to make sure to keep our program first. Without that,
nothing matters. So, the first piece of advice against hooking
up in the rooms is that it can become anything from a minor
distraction all the way to a full blown obsession. Feelings are
always involved and that’s dangerous for us.
Another argument against it is that many people expect
meetings to be our “one safe refuge”. The place where we can
talk about anything and not have to worry about this and
that. An atmosphere of flirting can ruin that. Although it
can be thought of as indirect; the thought of seeing somebody we’re kind of ‘into’ can get many people to make sure
they come to meetings where, without that, they might have
skipped it. Many of us have admitted that checking out some
attractive members was a big part of our excitement in com-
So let’s talk about dating somebody in the
program. We all know that in so many ways
we’re not like other people. We have our own
language and definitely common interests.
So that part is good. However, we know from
‘jump-street’ that we’re going to be hooking
up with somebody who probably has a lot of
issues. That’s what our disease produces...tons of baggage!
But it’s usually stuff that’s not too different from our own little
set of ‘luggage’. Problems we can actually share in – solutions
we can come up with together. We know our “wiring” - so
that’s a big plus in not getting too shocked later on down the
road if troubled waters show up. Probably not that bad of an
idea, dating each other. Although, naturally, that presents a
whole new bunch of problems – like taking each other’s inventory or trying to work each other’s programs.
Many of us have tried to use the desire for sex as a justification for hooking up at meetings. But really, how many of
us can engage in that without catching all kinds of feelings;
possessiveness, jealousy, attachment, hostage-taking, love,
infatuation, etc.
There’s really no way to look for romance of any kind in the
rooms, without setting ourselves up for the possibility of a
nightmare. It doesn’t mean we can’t try it, but we better be
careful. And certainly, it is the kind of stuff that new-comers
should definitely wait, at least a little while, before attempting. (Bruce Huberman 12 Step Gazette – Philly)
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Page 6
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Famous Quotes about
Goals
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that
matters, in the end.” Ernest Hemingway
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
Albert Einstein
“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” Bruce Lee
“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” Karen Lamb
“What keeps me going is goals.” Muhammad Ali
“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in
the dark to our success.” Henry David Thoreau
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high
and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
Michelangelo Buonarroti
“Happiness is not a goal...it’s a by-product of a life well lived.” Eleanor
Roosevelt
“You never know what’s around the corner. It could be everything. Or it
could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then
one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain.” Tom Hiddleston
“Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit
their target with their eyes closed.” Paulo Coelho
Is the glass
Half Empty?
or
Half Full?
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Issue no. 2
Page 7
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Metaphorically Speaking
Row, Row, Row your Boat
Gently Down the Stream.
Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily...
Life is But a Dream
With a little creative interpretation, and some inspiration from the
rooms, this childhood song is a profound metaphor for the spiritual,
emotional, and physical journey of Recovery. Granted, it’s not always “merry” or light-hearted,
but it’s much more so when we go with the flow of the current and stick with rowing our own
Row, Row, Row your Boat
Gently Down the Stream
Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily
Life is But a Dream
Keep Moving Forward
Take your Time
Stay Positive...
Your Life is what You Make it
Every current has a destination. Enjoy the scenery, maintain your boat, and strengthen
your oars for the adventure
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Page 8
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The 12 Steps of Relapse
Step 1 I realized I might be able to “dabble” a little here and there without getting totally out of control.
Step 2 I came to believe that a power greater than myself has restored me to sanity and now I can use carefully
Step 3 I made a decision to run my life and turn my will over to a combination of God and myself
Step 4 I make a searching and thorough inventory of everyone else and realized that they’re not so perfect –
told myself that maybe even some of them are about to relapse too.
Step 5 I justified taking the first one to God, myself and another human being and described the exact nature of
my obsession
Step 6 I became entirely ready to have God help me get back “into the program” should I get too out of control.
Step 7 I humbly asked Him to remove my inability to control my drinking and drugging.
Step 8 I made a complete list of all persons who had harmed me, either real or imaginary, and used these resentments as an excuse to use.
Step 9 I blamed everybody else for my relapse except when to do so would hurt me or look obvious
Step 10 I continued to take daily inventory of my drinking and drugging and minimized the amounts and consequences
Step 11 I sought through prayer and medication to keep a conscious contact with God in case I needed His help
in anything. I prayed only for what I really wanted.
Step 12 Having had a complete moral, physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual breakdown as a result of
these steps, I tried to get clean and sober all over again and prayed that I wouldn’t end up in jail or dead.
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Issue no. 2
Page 9
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Upcoming Events
To have an event listed on this page, send an email to
[email protected] or call (760) 898-8354
Solution on Page 13
For More, Go to:
www.eietoday.org (NA)
www.aa.org (AA)
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Page 10
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The 12 Step Gazette’s
Newcomer’s Page
The Importance of Sponsors
One of the first things a newcomer encounters is the pressure
to ‘get a sponsor’. Many other aspects are presented as suggestions, but not this one. Experienced members of every 12
step program usually insist on it. So why is it so important?
Here are some reasons why it gets pushed so passionately;
Education. It’s not easy to wade through the flood of new
acronyms, slogans, references to the literature, where to find
meetings, what the meeting descriptions mean (i.e. what is
a “closed” meeting?), who makes the coffee, what the leader
does, etc. – the list goes on and on. For a person new to a 12
Step program, these unanswered questions and uncommon
behaviors can be intimidating, overwhelming, and more than
a little scary. While any meeting attendee is likely to have
most, if not all, of these logistical-type answers, a sponsor is
a really good person to rely on for accurate and consistent
information.
Accountability. Unlike the accountability we have towards
a parent or authority figure when we’re young, a sponsor is
someone who can keep us honest in our program of recovery.
A sponsor can point out things that we may be blind to or
in denial about. It’s common for people in recovery to be so
comfortable in their self-defeating behavior that they think
it’s completely normal. A sponsor will gently point out these
behaviors and identify the natural consequences. A sponsor
will notice when we are losing steam in our program, slipping
up on the commitments we’ve made to ourselves or others,
when we’re stuck in self-defeating behaviors and attitudes,
and most importantly, when we’re exhibiting behaviors that
might lead to relapse.
Confidant. A sponsor doesn’t necessarily have to be a
“friend” but it often works out that way. In order to be thorough in our step-work, we must be completely open and
honest with our sponsors. We have isolated for so long, that
many of us have no one person in our lives who knows how
all the pieces fit together. Having a confidant, someone we
can completely trust with our deepest secrets along with our
most light-hearted joys, gives us a sense of belonging – someone other than a wife or husband, best-friend or colleague.
Encouragement. A sponsor will shower us with kudos
when we reach a milestone in our own recovery or when we
clear some personal hurdle (whether small or ginormous).
A sponsor will help us up when we fall short of meeting
a specific challenge or when we begin to feel discouraged
about our progress. It’s common for people in recovery to
compare the quality of their own life to what appears to be
the quality of someone else’s. A sponsor will help us recognize our own progress and encourage us to stay focused on
our own journey.
Ultimately, if we try to work a program of recovery on our
own, without a sponsor, we are relying on the same person
that rationalized our way into this mess in the first place –
ourselves.
Help Wanted: Sponsor with big heart, heavy hand, and saintly patience.
Requirements: Ocassional transportation to meetings and events, 24/7 phone monitoring, honesty,
objectivity, excellent communication skills. Sense of humor a PLUS. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Pay is non-tangible, bonus based on performance. If interested, fax your resume to (555) SPONS-R-US
Newcomer’s Checklist
o
o
o
o
o
o
Don’t Take That First Drink or Drug
Make Plenty of Meetings
Call Sponsor
Hang out with AA/NA People
Focus on the Positive
Talk about your Feelings
o
o
o
o
o
o
Beware of People, Places, & Things
Take One Day at a Time
Ask Higher Power for Help
Stay out of “Your Head”
Move a Muscle, Change a Thought
Read the Literature
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Solution on Page 16
Issue no. 2
Page 11
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Page 12
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Pets In Recovery?
M
any people were touched by actor Mickey Rourke’s
Golden Globe Award acceptance speech a couple of
years ago, in which he thanked his dogs for always being
there for him. Rourke later spoke about how his pets had
saved his life. Feeling suicidal, he realized his pets needed
him, and that thought drove him to find help.
The strong feelings that many of us have for our pets can
play a vital part in the process of healing. Animal companions have long been known to soothe their human guardians. Everything from anxiety and depression to high blood
pressure can be lessened to some degree by a pet’s unconditional loving companionship.
Given the essential component of stress management for
any long-term addiction recovery program, a recent study
from the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary
Medicine is enlightening. Researchers found that pet owners
reported a highly significant reduction in minor health
problems during the first month following pet acquisition,
and this effect was sustained in dog owners for up to 10
months. The results of this research provide evidence that
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and handling
pet acquisition could have positive effects on human health
and behavior, and that in some cases these effects are relatively long-term.
This study suggests the important role pet ownership may
play in supporting a recovering person’s well-being. So it
should come as no surprise that many
addiction treatment professionals are
starting to look for new ways to engage their patients in loving relationships by suggesting they adopt a dog
or cat in early recovery.
What a great idea that is. In our new
lives we need (and deserve) to love
and be loved. Rather than looking
for that in the rooms, in meetings,
where we could wind up in a whole
lot of trouble, adopt a pet! (Bruce
Huberman 12 Step Gazette-Philly)
Mickey Rourke and Loki
Sign up for the
Gazette online
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Issue no. 2
Page 13
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Not so Random Thoughts on
Surender
Surrender to Win? Newcomers and old-timers
alike often struggle with the meaning of this commonly used phrase in the 12-Step culture.
Surrendering, in a general context, means to
give up, raise the white flag in defeat, lay down
your arms and submit to the enemy. Some people
say that surrendering means to join the winning
team.
A frequent example used to illustrate “surrendering to win” is Japans surrender to the allies in
WWII so they could survive and move forward to
become a powerful economic and military force.
Surrender came at a great price for Japan in the
WWII example I often hear. It wasn’t until the
Japanese found themselves defenseless against
nuclear attack that they raised the white flag and
succumbed to the demands of the allies.
can win another day of life – and move forward.
We do not surrender our lives, we surrender our
addiction. We don’t surrender ourselves, we
surrender to the notion that there is a better way
to live.
Winning in the context of recovery means to
turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understand him. In a way, we simply surrender the notion that we can have our cake and
eat it too. We lost the battle wherein we tried to
use drugs/alcohol recreationally and still maintain
a productive and management life.
The prizes we “win” by surrendering are countless and priceless -- prizes that are built on restored sanity and hope for a better future!
As people in recovery, our nuclear devastation is
the wreckage left in the wakes of our active addiction. The disfigurement of our lives becomes so
intense that we must surrender in that war so we
CHANGE
Solution to Puzzle on Page 9.
1,Opening appears on back of boy’s cap. 2. Dog’s collar
is missing. 3. Stripe on boy’s shirt sleeve is missing. 4.
Extra writing on envelope on floor. 5. Leg on table is
colored in. 6. Flower in bouquet is colored in. 7. Heart
on card is colored in. 8. Pocket on shirt has moved. 9.
Mirror frame is taller. 10. Curtain is shorter. 11. Top of
table is wider. 12. Ribbon on heart is longer.
is the essence of life -Be willing to
surrender who you
are for who you could
BECOME
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Page 14
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Reflections on
Decision Making
When it comes to making decisions, helping us to
get into the proper frame of mind are our 12-step
sponsor, our therapist (if we still have counseling
as a part of our aftercare), our family and loved
ones. We need to rely upon our support network
to provide us with the kind of constant encouragement and support that’s necessary to keep us
motivated and doing the work of recovery. It’s a
given fact.
be able to make the right decisions when the time
comes. For some of us, making any sort of a decision on our own will come as a high achievement,
so unaccustomed as we’ve been to the experience.
Here’s another way to look at making decisions.
Our decision-making skill is like a muscle. It
needs to be exercised in order to remain supple
and strong and resilient. If we fail to make any
decisions, we’ll be per-mitting that muscle to atroThat’s important so we don’t backslide. It’s danger- phy, to wither away. That’s not a good prognosis.
ous to want to coast, to let things
The good news is that exercise of
slide, to put off doing what we
our decision-making ability makes
“In any moment of
know we need to do because we feel
us stronger, more self-confident,
decision,
the
best
we’re working too hard already or
and more willing to tackle the next
thing you can do is item on our list and so on.
tell ourselves that we need a break.
the right thing. The
Our sponsor and loved ones can
call us out on our tendency to drift worst thing you can In other words, there’s no downside
to making decisions. We do, how– not in a bad way, but just a gentle
do is nothing.”
ever, need to recognize that we will
reminder.
– Theodore Roosevelt, 26th Presisometimes make an inappropriate
dent of the United States
(1858-1919)
Another problem that arises is
or wrong decision for us at a certain
keeping our emotions bottled up
time. This does not mean that it
and failing to communicate to our loved ones
may not work at another time. We need to allow
what’s going on with us. This can prevent an
ourselves the flexibility to not be bowled over by
opportunity to make things easier in our decimistakes or wrong decisions. We learn from them
sion-making process. Let’s say that we really dread so that we don’t make the same mistake the next
making a choice of this or that because we’re
time.
afraid that we’ll choose the wrong one. We may
No person is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes,
tell our-selves that we’re not ready to make the
no matter how smart or accomplished or wellchoice because we don’t have enough skill or lack
known or pious they are. Let’s not allow our-selves
knowledge in that area. If that’s the case, then we
can make the decision to obtain the skills, to learn to become paralyzed with fear either of making
a mistake or of coming back from it. The worst
what it is that we need to know and to practice
thing
we can do is nothing. It does re-quire some
applying such knowledge and skills.
courage to make a decision when we still feel unThat doesn’t mean that we’re not equipped with or sure, but with the support of others and a willingcannot learn the skills to be able to handle deciness to do what it takes to strengthen our recovery,
sion-making in the appropriate way. It’s just that
we can and will become more confident in our
we’re either not used to relying on our own judgdecision-making ability. (Bruce Huberman, 12 Step
ment or we’re not yet all that confident that we’ll
Gazette - Philly)
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Issue no. 2
Page 15
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Gazette Humor Page
Marriage and Relationships
Husband: Honey, why are you wearing your wedding ring on
the wrong finger? Wife: Because I married the wrong man!
Marriage is very much like a violin; after the sweet music is
over, the strings are still attached Marriage is an institution
in which a man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the woman gets her Masters.An archaeologist is the best husband
any woman can have: the older she gets, the more interested
he is in her! Love is blind. Marriage is
the eye-opener.  A husband is what is
left of the man after the nerve has been
extracted.  Bigamy is having one wife
too many. Monogamy is the same.  I
think men who have a pierced ear are
better prepared for marriage. They've
experienced pain and bought jewelry.
 I never knew what real happiness
was until I got married. And by then it
was too late.  Why does a woman
work ten years to change a man's habits
and then complain that he's not the man
she married?  The bonds of marriage are like the bonds in
other institutions-Handcuffs!  A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he's finished. When a man
opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new
wife.  The woman cries before the wedding, the man after.
 In olden times sacrifices were made at the altar - a practice which still continues!  Behind every successful man
is a woman, behind her is his wife.  A wealthy man came
home from a gambling trip and told his wife that he had lost
their entire fortune and that they'd have to drastically alter
their lifestyle. "If you'll just learn to cook," he said, "we can
fire the chef." "Okay," she said. "And if you learn how to make
love, we can fire the gardener".  Before marriage, a man
yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage, the "y" becomes silent.  A successful man is one who makes more
money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one
who can find such a man.  A man said his credit card was
stolen but he decided not to report it because the thief was
spending less than his wife did.  A little boy asked his father, "Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?" And the
father replied, "I don't know, son, I'm still paying for it."  A
couple was having a discussion about family finances. Finally
the husband exploded, "If it weren't for my money, the house
wouldn't be here!" The wife replied, "My dear, if it weren't for
your money, I wouldn't be here." No man is regular in his
attendance at his place of work untilhe is
married.  All marriages are happy. It's
the living together afterward that causes
all the trouble.  It's a shame married
men live longer than single men, because
married men are a lot more willing to
die! A husband said to his wife, "No,
I don't hate your relatives. In fact, I like
your mother-in-law a lot better than I
like mine!  What's the difference between a boyfriend and a husband? About
30 pounds.  I'm an excellent housekeeper. Every time I get a divorce, I keep
the house.  Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing; a
confusion of the real with the idealnever goes unpunished.
 Love is blind and marriage is the institution for the blind.
 I don't think I'll get married again. I'll just find a woman I
don't like and give her a house.  If you want to sacrifice the
attention of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get
married.  The best way to get husbands to do something is
to suggest that perhaps they are too old to do it.  Marriage
is give and take. You'd better give it to her or she'll take it
anyway.  I was married by a judge. I should have asked for
a jury.  There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage  I haven't
spoken to my wife in years. I didn't want to interrupt her. 
After a quarrel, a husband said to his wife, "You know, I was a
fool when I married you." She replied, "Yes, I know, but I was
in love and didn't notice."  Marriage is a three ring circus:
engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. 
Sign up for the
Gazette online
____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 16
____________________________________________________________________________________
“Go home, and let all your
relatives off the potter's wheel.
You are not the potter!”
Joyce Meyer
Solution to Word Search on Page 11
The Gazette Wants Your Stories, Art, or Poetry!
Send to [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Issue no. 2
Page 17
____________________________________________________________________________________
2014 Horoscopes 2014
Aries (March 21 - April 19) - The year 2014 will be a wonderful year
for you in that you will be able to complete all tasks that have been
pending for a long time. Much amount of flexibility will be available
for you to show your competence to the world around. This year
also promotes high energy activities in your life such as going on an
adventurous trip or taking up a sport. However certain constraints
cannot be ruled out now and then. Your decisions towards home
and its affairs will be taken by all without much hype and any further appeal. Make sure that you remain steady and sturdy with your
ambitions.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - This year 2014 shall bring about major
changes in your personal and professional life. You will be steering
away from unwanted bad habits which are likely to take a toll on
your peace of mind. However you are advised to stick to your conscience. Switch over to new activities that would provide you with
the much wanted deviations and relief. Your mental state will be
stronger than usual during the course of this year. You will be able
to get the inspiration for life from those around you during this year.
But your greatest asset will be your simplicity and the capability to
adapt to any sort of situations around you. Now is the time to face
the world with renewed courage and diplomacy. Avoid temp-tations
that come your way in this period.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20) - During this year 2014, your life will be
soft and mellow and it will have no malefic effects on you during this
time period. However you need to think twice before you dive into
any new ven-tures. This is an apt time to put your plans and ideas
into work. You need to reprioritize your relationships. Luck and fortune shall come for you without much asking. Peace and harmony
shall prevail at home and the work place. Your environment will be
quiet for most of this year. Now you can do better in life than the
past few years. Certain controversies that had been bothering you
shall now come to an end. Your skill sets would be put to good use
during this period. Avoid being a dull-head and plunge into action
come what may. Taking risks shall steer you to your goals in life..
Cancer (June 21 - July 22) - This year 2014 shall see you engaged
more with your personal life rather than the professional one. Relationships shall suddenly mean a lot to you now like never before.
You will get more opportunities to climb up your social order. Listening would be your keyword rather than talking. Family-based relations shall remain stable for most of the year ahead. Your creative
works shall gain recognition and support for now. But be sure that
your ego does not go to your head. You need to stoop down to the
level of others in order to understand them fully. You need to throw
out your authoritarian attitudes.
Leo (July 23 - August 22) - This year 2014 will be highly productive for you. You will be able to meet much of your ambitions and
ideals in life thanks to your will power and sheer hard work. Radical changes are likely in life during the course of this year. You will
be able to consolidate some of the projects that you started several
years earlier. You are in for making important decisions in life related to personal and professional life.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22) - During this year 2014, you shall
be packed with much energy and strength and you will take life in
good spirits. Things will be soft and mellow with a generally clear sky
devoid of rain clouds. There will be a perfect balance of influences
during this time period. You will be in a place where you gain energy
and support from those around you. This is a time when you take a
deviation from your life route for the better. Artistic pursuits shall
give you the much needed sense of satisfaction and inner strength.
Libra (September 23 - October 22) - This year 2014 will be a year
free from major trials and tribulations that had been haunting you
for the past few years. You will be able to steer clearly through life
now. You shall move into profitable territory and there would be
much freedom in your life like never before. You would be given
the chance to forgive and forget in relationships. Now is the time to
move beyond your limits. An inner light shall guide you through
the course of this year. Your persepctive of the world outside shall
change a lot and you will be able to understand the reality at work.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) - Year 2014 shall bring in new
sur-prises for all Scorpios out there. A generally encouraging period
that shall bring out the best in you all . You need to be aware of the
changes happen-ing around you to move forward in life. Some sort
of relocation is also in the cards if you are willing to take a risk. Challenging tasks shall come from nowhere, you need to handle them
with audacity - avoiding complacency and procrastination. Give
priority to your ambitions and ideals in life. You will be able to find
answers to some of your unanswered questions that had been haunting you for quite some time now. There will be perfect harmony in
your life and peace shall prevail.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) - This is a year when you
will be able to bring shape to your long found dreams and ideals in
life. Let your actions in this regard be simple and appropriate. Major changes are likely in your lifestyle during the course of the year.
Make sure that you do the talking and decision making in important
tasks at home. In reality you will face certain hindrances but let your
inspirations keep you going. Shrug off past memories and don’t let
them haunt your spirits. Let bygones be bygones. Face the world
with a renewed vigor and strength now. Your social life will be fully
engaged with contacts coming in from all quarters.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) - This year 2014 shall have
the feel good factor set in for you. Things shall work out much in
your favor for now. However you need to focus on relationship concerns like looking into an older member of the family. Make efforts
to detangle the lives of those around you. This is a good time to take
time off for a vacation or long holiday. During this year you will be
inspired to do bigger and better things in life Show your individuality when it comes to showing your cre-ativity to the outside world.
Try to sort out any hitches in relationships dur-ing this time. .
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) - This is a year when your
emotions will be the highest. Feelings rather than mental and physical ideas shall rule the roost for now. There will be much success in
your personal life. Live in harmony with the environment around
you. Your creativity comes to the fore but let your inspiration create
new wings of change. You are likely to be slow and steady in your
personal moves during this year. Let there be a moral binding in all
you do. There are immense opportunities during the course of this
year for progress in life.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20) - This year shall bring in goodness, strength and cheer in your life. An unusually good number
of opportunities shall come your way. You will be able to venture
into unknown territories. Your diverse thoughts coupled with major
changes shall diversify your portfolio of interests. Let go of the past
and face the present world with confidence and renewed vigor. You
will feel the urge to set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd.
Make no compromise when it comes to your personal life. Raise
your voice against any sort of injustice around you. It is high time
that you bring out the creative side of you out into the open.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 18
____________________________________________________________________________________
Letter from the Editor
The topic for this issue was originally inspired by the tenacity of professional sports figures. I’m
always impressed and moved by stories of courage, dedicaƟon, passion, and drive. I think of the
compeƟƟve situaƟons that we all find ourselves in, and am moƟvated when I see people shine
brightly with confidence and grace.
Goals can be tricky. SomeƟmes I get distracted from my goals. These distracƟons come in the
form of relaƟonships, jobs, money, or, most commonly, self-imposed-limitaƟons. SomeƟmes I
take on too much and get overwhelmed by “things to do” and get paralyzed. Nothing gets done and the to-do list just
grows in these situaƟons.
I am experiencing some growing pains with the GazeƩe. I’m late geƫng this second issue to print and it puts knots in
my stomach. The self-talk is all negaƟve and I have to consciously force myself to remember that this journey is one of
passion, love, and learning. As we grow in sponsors, readers, and pages, I hope that the passion never stops, the love
doesn’t wane, and the challenges conƟnue to present themselves.
So, I guess the moral of the story is simple. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the superbowl wasn’t won in a game, and a goal
isn’t reached in one step. Just for today, I will focus!
I see a paƩern of self-reflecƟon brewing near the finalizaƟon of these first two issues. I suspect that paƩern will conƟnue
because each issue is a labor of love and worthy of retrospecƟon.
I’m anxious to hear from some readers! I hope you’ll visit the website and parƟcipate in some discussions. If you have
any discussion topics you’d like to see, just drop me a note via email and I’ll load it up!
Respecƞully and EnthusiasƟcally,
Karen VanDenBerg
Publisher/Editor
The 12 Step GazeƩe
Inland Empire EdiƟon
Help Keep The Gazette FREE by
Supporting Our Sponsors!
____________________________________________________________________________________
Issue no. 2
Page 19
____________________________________________________________________________________
Birthdays
and
Other Special Messages
To have a birthday or a special message printed here
Call the Gazette at (760) 898-8354
Send an email to [email protected]
Thank you Bruce! You allowed
yourself to be the vessel through
which my higher power answered
my prayers! Thank you for
allowing your beloved Gazette
to migrate west. Always and
Respectfully, Gazette-Girl
Happy Birthday Joe B.
February 12
7 Years Clean/Sober!
Happy Birthday
Stacie
February 12
2 Years Sober!
CONGRATULATIONS to anyone clean and sober today
Happy Belated Birthday Jan (Rancho)
12/23 - 33 Years Clean/Sober
IMPORTANT STUDY RESULTS!
People who have more birthdays tend to live longer!
and
People who stop having birthdays tend to stop living!
TIM
Thank you Danica -- I couldn’t have
requested a better daughter. Your
help has been priceless.
I love you. Mom
Happy Birthday Martin
January 10-- 2 years Sober
Happy Birthday to anyone
celebrating another year of
recovery.
May your gifts be abundant
and your journey fulfilling!
A gigantic THANK YOU to the advertisers of the IE 12 Step Gazette. Thank
you for having faith in the value of this Recovery Magazine and making it
possible to share experience, strength, hope, and humor to people in our
area affected by addiction.
Sincerely, The 12 Step Gazette - Inland Empire
Gazette Information:
The next issue of The 12 Step Gazette- IE will be coming in early March. Share the free copies with your
friends. The magazine is published every 2 months. Submit your stories, art, poetry, messages, events, and
suggestions ASAP for the March/April 2014 issue.
Thank you
____________________________________________________________________________________
Company Profile: Writers In Treatment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
W
Writers In Treatment annually produces:
ttREEL
R
Recovery Film Festivals
ttVoice
V
of Recovery Media Award
ttExperience,
E
Strength and Hope Award
ttChasing
C
the Muse…Stone Cold Sober
ttAddiction/Recovery
A
eBulletin
Writers In Treatment’s REEL
RE Recovery Film Festival has achieved
media coverage in the New Y
York Post, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Los
Angeles Times, Vancouver Weekly, SEVEN (Las Vegas weekly), Addiction
Pro, Counselor Magazine, thefix.com, Renew Magazine and every other
recovery publication.
Entering its sixth year, and now offering CEU’s in California, Writers
In Treatment’s REEL Recovery Film Festival has achieved national
recognition as the leading (only) producer of recovery film festivals. In
2014 the REEL Recovery Film Festival will be presented in:
tLos Angeles
tSan Francisco
tSacramento
tNew York City
tLas Vegas
tDelray Beach
tNashville
tUniversity of North Texas
tVancouver BC
tToronto
REEL Recovery Film Festival could be called the “Sundance Film
Festival” of recovery. It is the only multi-city recovery event whose
primary agenda is entertaining, inspiring and educating the recovery
community (family, friends and treatment professionals) and whose
main message is TREATMENT WORKS.
5th Annual Experience Strength and Hope Award February 13, 2014
This year the recipient will be author and recovery icon, Carrie White
(Upper Cut). Previous recipients:
Strength and
Hope Award
{
{
Experience
Chasing the Muse…Stone Cold Sober in Los Angeles and New
York, with San Francisco planned for Aprilil 2014.
Participants have included:
tWilliam Cope Moyers, moderator.
tKurt Sutter, creator Sons of Anarchy
tDan Fante, poet, author,
tMichele Huneven, author
tKatey Sagal, actress, songwriter, singer
tDavid Carr, NYT journalist
tLawrence Block, award-winning authorr
tMichael Winship, President WGAe
tSusan Cheever, author
tLaurie Dhue, news anchor
tMark Ebner, journalist, author
ian, singer!
tMalachy McCourt, author, actor, politician,
Other notables who have graced our stages include:
www.reelrecoveryfilmfestival.org
tChristopher Lawford
tLou Gossett Jr.
tBuzz Aldrin
ttDuran
Duran Duran
Duran’ss John Taylor
Wri
iter
ters IIn
n Treatment’s
T
Trea
reattme
rea
tment’
ntt’s Voice
Voic
oice
i e of
of Recovery
Reco
Reco
ecover
very Media
Medi
dia Award
Awar
Awar
ward
d was
Writers
given to RecoveryView
com (national),
(national) the 12-Step
12 Step Gazette
RecoveryView.com
(Philadelphia) and inRecovery Magazine (Arizona).
tDanny Trejo
tEd Begley Jr.
tBobcat Goldthwait
tRobert Downey Jr.
tDr. Gabor Maté
tBen Stiller
tDanny Huston
tIone Skye
tJoanna Cassidy
tTony Dennison
tJack McGee
tPaul Williams
stts
& numerous filmmakers and artists
Awards: Writers In Treatment has received the
following recognitions:
om Mayor Antonio
tLos Angeles’ Certificate of Congratulations from
Villaraigosa, 2011
tC
tCity of Los Angeles Certificate of Recognition, Councilman
Ric
Richard Alarcon, 2012
tt Fa
Faces and Voices’ Friend of Recovery, 2013
t A New Path’s BRAVO Award, 2013
Licenses:
tCalifornia Foundation for Advancement of Addiction Professionals (Caadac)
tBoard of Behavioral Sciences, LCSW, MFT, others. Both valid until 2015
Writers In Treatment
Writers In Treatment
P.O. BOX 1745
Studio City, CA 91614
818-762-0461
[email protected]
www.writersintreatment.org
www.WritersInTreatment.org

Jan-Feb 2014 - Step 12 Magazine

Transcription

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