The pain that tore at our souls is transformed into a message of serenity, courage and wisdom.
∼Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 84
February 1
Laugh and the fellowship laughs with you. Cry and the fellowship won’t let you cry alone. ∼Shelly M.
When we were using, by default, we ruled ourselves out of so many possibilities. Our options became fewer and fewer. Playfulness and laughter practically vanished from our lives. At first, mind-affecting chemicals made us laugh; although they quickly robbed us of the very joy we sought by taking them. In coming to C.D.A., we began to get well, and we enjoyed a giggle here and a chuckle there. Sometimes people tell their stories and the whole audience laughs in glee at the silly antics of what we did while in the grips of the disease or have done even in active recovery. In A.A., they tell us that “cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness” (Alcoholics Anonymous P 132). Laughter does become part of the equation again. The Program and the Fellowship have given us the ability to laugh again. So give back to the Fellowship by allowing your laughter to arise from deep within.
The Fellowship tells me,
“Laugh like you mean it,” and I do.
When people were at the meetings, they were laughing from their hearts. I liked that.
∼Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 376
February 2
People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. ∼Joseph Fort Newton
Lonely and alone are not the same thing. You can be alone without being lonely, and you can be lonely in a crowd of people. We come to trust in the Fellowship. We learn that none of us need ever be lonely again—so long as we choose not to be. The old-timers tell us that we get lonely when we build walls instead of doorways, or barricades instead of bridges. Building walls and barricades is a choice; therefore, loneliness is a choice. In times of trouble, and in times of stress, we can choose to open ourselves up or we can choose to erect a barrier. “Opening the door” and “building the bridge” means we needn’t be lonely, even when alone. Opening doors and building bridges involves allowing ourselves to be vulnerable by attending meetings, introducing ourselves to people, picking up the phone, working with our sponsor, doing service work, and praying to our Higher Power.
Being alone does not mean that I am lonely.
You can get through anything, just as I did. And you'll never have to do any of it alone.
∼Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 340
February 3
We’re all unique in our ability to share love with one another. ~Mike R.
Many times an individual neglects the responsibility of service and sponsorship in helping a new member solely because they are not an attractive personality. The newcomer, having arrived from skid row, may act obnoxiously, dress poorly, or smell badly. More often, however, the newcomer’s religious, financial, or social status is simply incongruous with our own. Love, on the other hand, would dictate that we give to all, irrespective of such circumstances. We come into the Program as irresponsible people and we do not become responsible overnight. We strive for the perfect objective—that of loving the skid-row bum, the pimply-faced adolescent with attitude, and the woman with infected needle marks on her arms—but we often fall short. Even when we can’t muster loving feelings, we reach out anyway and claim progress. We continue our quest for unconditional love by accepting our responsibility to the newcomer.
I reach out to every newcomer, not just
the socially acceptable newcomers.
I must do for the newcomer what was done for me when I came in.
~Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 168
February 4
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time. ∼T.S. Elliot
Vigilance is the catalyst that fuels recovery. It creates the ability to observe and keep moving forward even when we aren’t sure where the path leads. We must be watchful of the actions of others and follow their example when it works. We must also be alert to avoid the pitfalls that have impeded our fellow travelers. We must be aware of our inner guidance and turn to it when our intuition beckons. We must explore our new life with intent. For this is being vigilant. It pushes us to do our recovery work when inattention and negligence might otherwise hinder our growth. Vigilance is the driving force behind our exploration in recovery, so that every day we may know recovery for the first time.
My recovery is not a destination.
It is a vigilant journey.
I'm new at it, but I think this is the most exciting adventure I've ever been on.
∼Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 369
February 5
It ain't what they call you; it's what you answer to. ~W.C. Fields
We all know about the SASTOs (Some Are Sicker Than Others) and the SAWTOs (Some Are Weller Than Others) in the Program. The problem is that we aren’t smart enough to predict which is which. It’s been said, “Never bet on a drunk either way: to achieve sobriety or fail to grasp it.” Seeing a newcomer, we might smirk, “Oh, she’s just here to flirt with the guys. She’ll never make it.” Thirty years later, however, that same woman may be leading a spiritual retreat that we are attending. Perhaps, because we are in such awe of how “spiritual” a man seems, we put him on a pedestal next to Bob S., Bill W., or Ron R. only to be 12-stepping him next month. Our job is not to predict who are the SASTOs or the SAWTOs. Our job is to be here whenever anyone, anywhere reaches out for help.
Anyone in the Program may call me a SASTO,
just as long as I answer as a SAWTO.
Who would ever have believed that anyone as sick as I was, at that time, would become part of something so beautiful, an organization that has helped so many people?
∼Chemically Dependent Anonymous P 337
February 6
Freedom from fear comes through love; may the beloved’s blessing reign with all hearts! ∼Nan C. Merrill
Most of us arrive at the doors of Chemically Dependent Anonymous full of fear and anxiety. We felt like we were in the darkroom where negatives were developed. How wonderful it is to be given the tools of recovery that enable us to stand in the sunlight of the Spirit, face our fears,
