Monday Thoughts 12/13/2021

“Once you’ve released the struggle to prove yourself worthy in someone else’s world, you begin to trust yourself and your instincts.  ~~Wendy Hammond “I love when I realize I’m handling a situation better than my old self would have.”  ~~Unknown “You are the best author of your own future.  So, the next time you sit down to write your own story, remember that you are the creator of the chapters.”  ~~Catherine Pulsifer   #12 I am a competent woman, and I have much to give life. This is what I am, and I shall know it always.  Many times, before New Life, I wondered how on earth would I manage without alcohol. I knew drinking was a real problem, but how could being sober be satisfying? Sobriety and the practice of the WFS Statements helped change that.  Especially Statement #12. Unaware of how little I believed in myself, sobriety and recovery became the opening into self-discovery and awareness.  Statement #12 became a mantra for when feelings of doubt swirled through my mind or when cravings hit hard.  Instantly I reached for those first five words and repeated them again and again………. I am a competent woman…….… I am a competent woman……… I am a competent woman.  Each success is built on the previous success.  No matter how small or insignificant it seemed, it held the history of overcoming which enhanced feelings of competence.  These feelings felt so good; better than alcohol since I had earned them from moving through fears, doubts, and uncertainty.  I was teaching myself that I am worthy and do have much to give life.  One of my most favorite paragraphs from our WFS Program booklet can be found under Statement #12.  It states “Begin each day with an unshakable belief in your own competency.  First the thought, then the reality.  Believing you are a competent woman is giving to life.  Know you are a competent woman.”  You are 4C! Hugzzz Karen Hi 4C Women, I came across a paper written by David B. Bohl in which he posed the question, “Why do people change?”  The two main reasons were Desperation and Inspiration. Thinking back to my decision to stop drinking, it definitely was desperation.  I didn’t like who I was, didn’t even really know myself anymore.  I was lost and felt trapped.  I clung to Statement #1 and wondered how in the world would I ever evolve into believing Statement #12?  I now understand why Inspiration was included in why people change.  I was inspired by how much my life, my definition of who I was becoming, would create such an empowering change by following the WFS Statements.  I was also surrounded by women who worked hard for change and they inspired me as well.  I wasn’t alone in wanting change.   It was hard work yet the benefits surpassed anything that I ever dreamed of.  I divorced after 27 years of marriage and thankfully I was sober when that decision was made.  Drinking numbed the pain briefly and I as took responsibility for my life and my actions, I started to believe I was competent.  I gained the courage to end a marriage that left me empty and feeling completely unlovable.  Many marriages survive and thrive through hard work of both partners which I applaud.  For me, we lacked and lost the foundation to rebuild. I am so grateful for Statement #12.  It provided a path to belief in myself, to face many of my fears and stay strong through my mistakes and appreciate my successes.  I sometimes reflect on the woman I was so many years ago and, in those moments, I hold her tight and praise her for learning how to redefine herself, to keep trying and speak her competent truth!  I hope you will reflect on why and how you have changed or are changing.  Mostly, praise yourself for the willingness to keep learning, encouraging and supporting your personal path and to include other women who are working toward believing they are competent women and have much to give life, Dee

Copyright © 2021 Women For Sobriety, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Women For Sobriety PO Box 618 Quakertown, PA 18951 Add us to your address book

Adm. (ret) Sandy Winnefeld and Brandee Izquierdo - Making a Difference

‌  ‌  ‌ Adm. (ret) Sand Winnefeld and Brandee Izquierdo - Making a Difference Admiral (ret) Sandy Winnefeld and his wife, Mary, founded SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) after their son died of an accidental fentanyl overdose.   They later hired Brandee Izquierdo - herself an addict in recovery - to run the organization. Together they are making a huge difference in tackling the addiction pandemic. Learn more here: https://www.safeproject.us/ CLICK HERE to listen and CLICK HERE to watch on our YouTube channel. Steve Sigal, Producer 727-314-7080 Joanie Sigal, Host 727-314-7080 theaddictionpodcast@yahoo.com www. theaddictionpodcast.com Please connect with us on social media by clicking the icons below.  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌

The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return | 1927 Sever Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764 Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by theaddictionpodcast@yahoo.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

In the News: Surgeon General Says COVID Worsened Youth Mental Health Crisis

Top Stories & Key Reads of the Week Surgeon General: COVID Worsened Youth Mental Health Crisis A new U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory says the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the nation’s youth mental health crisis, and calls for a rapid response. Study Suggests Marijuana Use May Interfere With Sleep Marijuana use may interfere with sleep, a new study suggests. Federal Government Announces $30 Million Harm Reduction Program The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on Wednesday announced a $30 million harm reduction program to help address the nation’s substance use and overdose epidemic, Newsweek reports.   Partnership in the News   Read the latest coverage     Policy News Roundup Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including a Surgeon General advisory on youth mental health. Research News Roundup View our curated digest of the latest research news, including text messaging as a means of tobacco risk communication.   Other Headlines of Interest Can You Drink Alcohol After Getting the COVID Booster Shot? Here's What a Doctor Says (NBC Chicago) This strip of paper can help prevent a drug overdose (CNN) From Addiction, Prison and Sleeping in Bus to Store Manager (Associated Press)

711 Third Avenue, 5th Floor, Suite 500 New York, NY 10017 drugfree.org Get involved Prevention & early action Treatment & recovery About us privacy policy     DONATE NOW   Get Support Now Our help is free, confidential and safe.   Text 55753 Schedule a Call Email a Specialist

Wow – look what Jenny accomplished with your support!

HELLO

The end of the year is a time of hope and gratitude. My feelings of hope come from the compassion and kindness I’ve witnessed over my 20 years at Missions Inc. Programs.

I’ve seen strength and resilience from so many residents, first as the Program Manager of Hart House, our St. Paul-based supportive housing program for women in recovery and recently as Executive Director of Missions Inc.

While Missions Inc. has changed so much over these 20 years, the impact of supporters like you has stayed constant.

Will you continue your support by making a git today?

Your gifts have an important impact for people like Jenny.

Jenny lived at Hart House in 2016 and again in 2019. After she left Hart House, she served an 18-month sentence for a parole violation and gave birth to her son Elijah in prison.

Once released, Jenny worked around the clock to get Elijah back and they were reunited.

In 2021, Jenny played a pivotal role in the passage of the Healthy Start Act, so other incarcerated birthing parents are able to spend time with their babies after giving birth.

Jenny recently celebrated two years of sobriety and shares her story of hope regularly to inspire.

You were there for Jenny, now Jenny shows up for others.

When you donate to Missions Inc., you join a network of compassionate friends who care for people like Jenny and Elijah so they can go on to inspire their community.

In gratitude,

Katy Daniels

P.S. Your donation today supports adults and children in need of help. Make a gift today by clicking HERE.