Women for Sobriety, Inc. Release the Past, Plan for Tomorrow and Live for Today ҉      “We must liberate ourselves from what was in order to be free for what is.” -Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., WFS Program Booklet “You build on failure.  You use it as a stepping stone.  Close the door on the past.  You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it.  You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”  -Johnny Cash “When the past calls, let it go to voicemail.  It has nothing new to say.”  -Mandy Hale ********************************************************* Statement #9, “The past is gone forever.” No longer will I be victimized by the past.  I am a new person. ********************************************************* +++++++++++++++++++ + Karen’s Perspective + +++++++++++++++++++      This week we welcome a new year.  Yesterday is gone forever, replaced by unlimited new experiences and fresh perspectives.  Statement #9 in action is absolutely necessary to create our 4C sober tomorrows.      Closing the year can be a wonderful time as the past is released and a clean slate is prepared for the upcoming year.  It can also be a time of insightful reflection; learning from trial and error as well and accumulating confidence.  It feels very freeing to live Statement #9 with an open heart and mind.      Often times on our journey of New Life, there may have been moments that we wish we could erase and some that we desperately wish to hang on to.  Since we cannot hold onto or erase the past, we must learn how to live with the past behind us.  This means taking what may have appeared to be utter moments of pain or joy and turning them into moments of learning.  When we find growth from an experience, we can also find value and purpose.  This creates closure while opening the present.      In our Program Booklet, Jean mentions the “only interest in the past is for it to act as a guide, a map, for what we want to avoid in the future.”  Understanding and accepting what previously worked and what did not, direction is unveiled.  Instead of jumping from one dramatic moment to the next, vision and purpose unfolds.  No matter what the past held, today is here and now.      Our Mission Statement concludes with “Release the past, plan for tomorrow and live for today.”  Are you ready to do just that?  Happy 4C New Year!!  Hugzzz, Karen What will you leave behind in 2015? What will you prepare for in 2016? How will you live today? +++++++++++++++ +  Dee’s Insights  + +++++++++++++++      Hi 4C Women, 2015 was a difficult, challenging year, so I thought about Karen’s question regarding what I will leave behind.  I’m going to leave behind the mistakes I made and work on learning from them, to not care more than the other person does so I don’t become trapped and resentful in doing too much and letting go of the hurt and disappointment I experienced by doing too much for others (you all know I am NOT talking about friends!).      I will prepare for 2016 by creating and actually following through on healthier boundaries and practicing better self-care, which means I need to put myself first rather than sacrificing my needs for those who don’t care as much as I do.  I am repeating that because I really need to learn this lesson.      I did learn a lot about myself this year and one of the greatest lessons is that I matter and it is important to consider my needs and well-being.  Going on my trip to PA and NJ this past June was a huge wake up call.  I wasn’t going to go because I was fearful of leaving my daughter after she got out of the hospital.  It had been a month and the doctor told me I had better go on that trip because my daughter could handle it.  I also was hoping my granddaughter would step up to the plate.  Well, my granddaughter did not step up to the plate but my daughter survived without me! Wonder of all wonders.  I had such fun visiting my family and friends so I now recognize that this needs to be a priority for my emotional health.      I am hoping that each of you will consider Karen’s questions and reflect in a manner that is not judgmental but definitely honest.  It is that honesty that will help us know what we need to work on and therefore create a more fulfilling and joyful life in 2016.      For today, I will work on being true to myself and mostly to release the past so that I can heal, learn and become my own best friend.  –Dee _________________________ Thank you, Karen and Dee, for your words of encouragement and inspiration to start off our New Year!  ~Becky Fenner, WFS Director Email:  contact@womenforsobriety.org   *   Tel: 215-536-8026   *   Fax:  215-538-9026 http://www.womenforsobriety.org   *   http://www.wfscatalog.org

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Upcoming Events

Free Seminar: Addiction and the Brain This free community seminar hosted by Livengrin's Family Services Department, will be presented by William J. Lorman, PhD, MSN, PsyNP. Learn more about addiction and the recovery process from experts in the treatment field. When:  Monday, January 11, 2016 6:00PM - 8:00PM Where:   195 Bristol-Oxford Valley Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047

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Dry Humor: Standup for Recovery Liz Russo is a native of Easton, PA and currently performs standup at festivals, casinos, colleges, and comedy clubs nationwide. As a recovering alcoholic, in her comedy act, Liz often discusses her struggles with addiction and living in recovery. January 16th, 2016 will mark Liz Russo's 5 year sober-anniversary and she wants to celebrate with laughter, while also giving back!  Liz Russo presents a lineup of clean and sober stand-up comics to benefit the non-profit Livengrin Foundation For Addiction Recovery. When:  Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 8:00PM Where: 101 Founders Way Bethlehem, PA 18015

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Alumni & Friends 12 Step Meeting Our monthly Alumni 12 Step Meeting in Shannahan Hall. Encourage your friends and fellow Livengrin Alumni to attend. When: Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 1:00PM Where: 4833 Hulmeville Rd. Bensalem, PA 19020

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December 19 Chp 33 v13v14v15 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS

THE PROMISE

From heaven the lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth- He who forms the hearts of all ,who considers everything they do.

(GODS BIG BOOK)

THE KEY

Step 4 - Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

(NA BIG BOOK)

Our life is made up of experiences whether good or bad.We are a product of society. How we live is the end result of those life experiences . If your heart is full of hurt from painful experiences ,the natural thing to do is find a way to rid yourself of the pain. Society teaches there is something wrong with you and prescribes something to help you cope. Well we all know that is just a lie to you .We end up taking more and more and before you know it we are caught by addiction. Do you really want to be pain free ? There is a way ! The issues of life flow from our hearts even though society tries to convince you it comes from the mind. When your sad what hurts , that's right your heart ! God promises in His word that He always watches over you and when your heart hurts His heart  hurts . His Love for you is without  measure and He wants to take away your hurts .  He will give you supernatural strength to deal with those hurts but you have to work the steps . I call them keys (12 steps) because with Gods supernatural strength you will be able to face those  hurts  .Getting that painful stuff out into the open takes away its power to keep you sad , captive ,and bound. Gods help is so needed in all situations especially when we dig really deep .The stuff in my life was buried deep in my heart and no matter how much I self medicated it would not leave me alone .God gave me the strength to face it all once and for all and the more I exposed it the less and less its grip became. No matter what it is that is making your heart sick ,God already knows . Go to a quiet place and talk it out with God ,then find another human someone trustworthy and get it out of your system .You have been heartsick for way too long and that sickness is robbing you of life.

THE PROMISE

James 5:16 - Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.(GODS BIG BOOK)

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