Jan.28-Feb.4

[snugsnug]

How important is service work to you in your recovery?

[Prescott]

Being of service has been a saving grace over the years. I'm not as active as I'd like to be but I find myself being of service in and out of the program. I think they both count. Working with Hospice was one fo the nicest moments in service to others I've had in a long time. One of the nicest things about service is "getting out of self". I would like to find a place to use what I have been learning recently to help others through the loss of a loved one. I put myself in "Gods hands" and will leave the results to him.

[2dayisall]

Originally Posted by Prescott

One of the nicest things about service is "getting out of self".

Oh ya, getting and staying "out of self". I can't give up service. For I will turn back to that dark lonely place that is my head. Reaching back when someone reaches out. Working with others and opening the room. This all keeps me in the fellowship and reduces my "overwhelming problems" to what they really are. "Life's terms". Service has pulled me out of my own self created mudhole many times. "I love hitting myself over the head with a hammer because it feels so good when I stop". Service work keep the hammer out of my hand, more often than not. It is one of the cogs in "my program" that keeps me away from that subtle foe.

Breate in breathe out and don't drink in between

aj

I find that service is a sure bet for getting me away from me. There is no way that I can focus on me when I am focusing on someone or something else.

I believe we were created to be servants. The more I serve the closer I am to my God and you. One sure way to shut out the sun light is to let my ego get in the way( and it does quite often ).

[mellotripp]

Service is a big part of my recovery. Coming from a small town, I have had to open the doors to the meetings for years. On occasion I will open and set up, only to have no one else show up. This too is a part of my sobriety for I know that I was there providing a service to my own self.

[fibiray]

I agree with all that has been said so far. When I am going through tough times service takes me away from my own self obsession and enables me to give to another. I remember when i first came in the human kindness that was shown to me and it is something that I try and give back when the new comer comes through the doors for the first time. Given the fact that also aa has given me 18yrs of ongoing sobriety it is the least I can do to give back what aa has freely given me and that is hope. I have never so much worked at the central service sid eof things but have remained working at a group level because it is there where the newcomer is so dependant on and so is my recovery. If the doors aren't open I would have nowhere to go neither would the newcomer. Washing up after a meeting, or helping set up and close the meeting is important and it is unfortunate there are few that are willing to partake in such practices these days. By doing this I am being a part of the fellowship and commiting to my resolve to stay sober. thanks for lettting me share.

fi
xxx

[trish]

Oh my goodness you just don't know how important service work is to my recovery. In fact I was saying that in group last night. Boredom is a big trigger for me so I try to stay busy. Helping others will gets me out of my selfish self. And it seems that I am always blessed when I go out of my way to help out. Funny that you mention service today because I just filled out an application for volunteer work at the hospital. Another way to get out of self-also I thought it might help establish me in the community. Ya know let people see who I am-that I really do care.

[admin]

How important is service work to you in your recovery?

Very, very important.

[free2bunme]

i agree with what everyone has said about service being essential to getting over selfishness and self-centeredness, intolerance and lack of compassion. And here's another selfish reason: It's the best way for me to learn about me!

[flickchic]

There is no way that I can focus on me when I am focusing on someone or something else.

As I do not attend meetings I cannot share from that perspective, however I do find that the above is so very true...when I am in a funk and newcomers arrive here, simply by greeting them and reading their stories gets me right out of me. As does family happenings and other's issues.

I have learnt recently through my rehab guy that there is a family of whom the male "has been" on worker's comp like myself and they are having a very tough time of it as the system isn't doing him justice and have withdrawn his claim...no monies incoming...family support from the gov. only I do believe. Anyway Rob, my re-hab guy was sharing how they are so struggling, have next to nothing, that a lot of their things are from roadside collections, they have a 2 year old daughter, and another whom is just 2 months old. I rang Rob yesterday and asked a little more about the children, ages, gender etc., and if he felt the family would be ok with me offering them toys, clothing etc that we have here that could be of use for them. We also have some other things that they may well be able to use within their home. When I remember how it feels to go without to be on the bones of one's butt...my heart so went out to this family. Anyway Rob's going to arrange for them to contact me and I will offer whatever I can, for me that is service.