Monday Thoughts 02/04/2019

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us." ~~Wilma Rudolph "Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." ~~Mary Kay Ash "Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals." ~~Dorothy Height Statement #6   Life can be ordinary or it can be great. Greatness is mine by a conscious effort. Sobriety and Statement #6 provide the force for feelings of fullness. Whether reveling in the simplicity of the ordinary, or savoring determination leading into greatness, the contentment Statement #6 assists in creating can firmly cement a beautiful New Life. "Sobriety is a rewarding experience for those who invest in the moments of each day" our Program booklet states. Some days it can feel difficult to invest in those moments, yet each of us has what we need within us to persevere, to use conscious effort to create the life we desire. An example of this happened this past week. I was getting my computer worked on, and what I was hearing felt conflicting. I kept questioning and made decisions based on my understanding. In the past, it felt impossible to investigate something or to stand up for myself which often resulted in feeling ineffective and invisible, anything but great or ordinary. But this week, I felt the greatness that Jean wrote about. Through sobriety and the WFS New Life Program, each of us are able to stand in our own strengths. Instead of running away or relying on someone else to rescue, the practice of Statement #6 encourages daily conscious effort which can translate to greatness, even in an ordinary moment like computer repair. Hugzzz Karen Hi 4C Women, Oh, how I relate to computer problems. It took 3 weeks, many hours of frustration and a lot of support from a generous friend to get most of my email stuff worked out. There are still issues but at least I have my Bellsouth email account up and running. In this age of technology, I have to say it felt overwhelmingly wonderful to regain access to all the phenomenal 4C women who receive the Monday Thoughts. I persevered even when I didn't understand most of what was being said and done. To me, that is the beauty of facing my fears of asking for help and doing the best I can.   As I mentioned in previous messages, I have started to organize the many years of WFS paperwork. In doing so, I have been reading messages from Nancy Cross, former moderator and board member, who inspired me and hundreds of others with her commitment to WFS. She is sorely missed but her words continue to encourage those working on their New Life in recovery. I consider Karen and Nancy powerhouses in the written word.   When I consider how I envision my life as ordinary and great, I came across an exercise presented by Nancy. What do you want to keep in your life?  Let's face it, some things are working and not everything has to be thrown out. I consider this a powerful question which requires total honesty. What do you want to change?   This goes back to how you answered the first question. Knowing what you want to keep will provide knowledge for what you want to change. What do you want more of?   Now that you understand what you want to keep and what you want to change, answering this question could be used as a guide to creating plans to achieve what you want more of? Is it fun, more time spent with friends, adventures, alone time, building stronger relationships, volunteering at something that gives you purpose, reading a book that's sitting on your night stand, go to more movies, learn a new skill, dancing - the list goes on. Now some of these suggestions could also be part of what you want to keep or change because you are doing them already or want to do. The important thing to remember is do you want more of them if that is the case? What can you add to this list of suggestions? Bonded in making life ordinary or great and appreciating the ordinary moments, 4C WFS Member Explore our updated website. Join our online community of support (women in recovery only, please). If you received this email from a friend, we welcome you to join our mailing list!  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌ Copyright © Women for Sobriety, Inc. | All rights reserved | Federal ID # 23-1972763 Email: contact@womenforsobriety.org | Ph: 215.536.8026 | Fax: 215.538.9026 https://womenforsobriety.org

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New February 4, 2019 AT Forum News Updates Now Available Online

AT Forum News & Updates - February 4, 2019 This is to advise you the most current issue of the AT Forum News Updates are now available online. Articles include: Few Medical Facilities Offer Opioid Treatment Medication, Study Says FDA Tries to Speed OTC Naloxone Products Opioid Overdoses Now Claim More U.S. Lives Than Auto Accidents Opioid Crisis Has Caused Spike In Donor Organs Carrying Hepatitis C Steep Climb In Benzodiazepine Prescribing By Primary Care Doctors America's Deadly New Normal When Going to Jail Means Giving Up The Meds That Saved Your Life Addressing Prescription Drug Addiction in Older Adults Higher Rates Of NAS Linked With Economic Conditions Study: Illicit Opioid Deaths To Rise By 147 Percent By 2025 White House Prioritizes Opioid Abuse In First National Drug Control Strategy Links to Additional News of Interest The News Updates can be accessed at: http://atforum.com/news-updates/   Thank you for your continued interest in  AT Forum. Sue Emerson, Publisher atforum@aol.com   SUBSCRIBE TO E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS

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What's Happening in February...

February Highlights Montgomery County PRO-ACT Stay up to date with the latest recovery related programs and activities in the Montgomery County area! Click here to find out more information on volunteering with PRO-ACT! Upcoming Events Our February calendar lists all of our programs and volunteer training opportunities that are available to the recovery community. February programs include Recovery Journaling, Women's Trauma Group, Meditation, Coping With Loss, Men's "Stress Off Your Chest", Gateway to Work, Art Group, Recovery is Possible, Adventures in Recovery and an All-Recovery meeting. Click here to view the calendar All Recovery Meeting PRO-ACT's "All Recovery Meeting" is a topic discussion group for individuals who struggle with addiction, are affected by addiction and/or support recovery. All pathways of recovery are welcome. We explore topics and questions that are common to all recovery in a non-judgmental open forum. Click here for more details

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February 3,2019 Through the Twelve Steps With Spiritual Truth from Scripture TODAY 2

Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Psalm 104 4 -Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. 5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.6 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.

This verse reminds me so much of the life I once lived. The very thought of what my life once was turns my stomach into Knots and my blood pressure begins to rise. Anxiety and fear begin to grip me ! Living and breathing was an arduous task and death was an invited and welcomed friend but it didn't come. Sadness that I could feel physically, like two heavy arms holding me and not letting me move. Constant trouble caused and received ,behavior that was animal like and criminal .Crushing shame and guilt for the wrong of done, just mentioning it now fills my eyes with tears.Homeless yes but by choice chasing my comfort to numb the devastating effects of my life in a whole. Expecting every minute to be my last !From time to time I would her voices and not the ones abusing me in my head.They were calm voices gently asking God to save me ,it was my Mother,Father, and Sister.At my darkest and lowest point where death I believed heard my pleas was going to come but instead an , Angel of light appeared to me under a bridge . He came out of nowhere and the world around me disappeared , as HE stood in front of me  with an outstretched arm He handed me a book .In that book was the story of my life ! On the last page of the book was a photo of me surrounded by flames with my hands up to heaven pleading for help but it was too late . At that moment I was Spiritually awakened from within! Supernaturally I received the power and ability to walk away from Hell and into Gods amazing purposed driven life He had designed for me. That was Fifteen years ago .I have been delivered healed and restored and will never go back.

Galatians 5-1 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

By Joseph Dickerson/Recovery Connections Network
Psalm 103:3 Who pardons all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases

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