Seattle Area Narcotics Anonymous

NEWSLETTERSeattle Area Narcotics Anonymous

NEWSLETTER

24-Hour Helpline

206-790-8888Call before you use!

Seattle Area NA Websitewww.seattlena.org

Th e purpose of this newsletter is to keep Seattle Area Narcotics Anony-mous members informed of the events and happenings of the fellowship. Every attempt is made to adhere to NAWS guidelines and SASC guidelines for newsletters. Th e content contained herein expresses the views and knowl-edge of its contributors, not NA as a whole. Please read this publication with that in mind.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Choices Essay by Melanie B. 2

Untitled Poem by Anonymous 3

Events and Announcements 4

Clean Time Birthdays 4

24-Hour Helpline

206-790-8888Call before you use!

Seattle Area NA Websitewww.seattlena.org

Th e purpose of this newsletter is to keep Seattle Area Narcotics Anony-mous members informed of the events and happenings of the fellowship. Every attempt is made to adhere to NAWS guidelines and SASC guidelines for newsletters. Th e content contained herein expresses the views and knowl-edge of its contributors, not NA as a whole. Please read this publication with that in mind.

October/November 2014October/November 2014

A Special Birthday Treat by Melanie B.

On August 14th, I completed my fi rst year in recovery and my dear family member made this wonderful cake for me. I was so astonished with it I wanted to share

it with everyone! Th e cake was a deep chocolate cake with the frosting that tasted just like a Hostess Cupcake, only in the shape of our beloved one-year coin. Here are some photos of it. Th ank you again, the cake was delicious and seemingly too good to cut up and eat. But we did!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Choices Essay by Melanie B. 2

Untitled Poem by Anonymous 3

Events and Announcements 4

Clean Time Birthdays 4

2 Seattle Area Newsletter

How do you write about your life as an addict in a few simple words? You don’t.There is nothing simple about how or why you made the choice to be a drug addict.How you made the choice to isolate yourself. Go to no more family functions, no more going

out to dinner with friends. No more long conversations with your sister.No more anything with anyone.How you chose to be loyal to only one person: your drug dealer. You were never late on pay-

ing him, A-1 credit with him, but he never would give you credit — you always had to have the money in hand for him.

How you chose to keep the big dark secret from everyone, so you thought; a problem that was costly and almost deadly.

How you chose to think that no one knew, when in fact everyone knew. You’re a different per-son when you’re high, of course they knew.

How you made the choice to spend all of your time finding the drugs, waiting for the drugs, doing the drugs, and coming down when you run out of your drugs And you do run out – way too soon and way too often.

Oh, and this is a big one: how you chose to spend all your money on your very best friend, Mr. Dope. How you spent your rent money, your food money, your clothing money, doctor money, your gas money; any money that wasn’t spent on drugs was a big waste of money.

How you chose not to look into the mirror because you hated the person you saw in the re-flection.

How you made the choice to be sad, depressed and lonely, and enjoyed it; it felt good to feel sorry for yourself, no one else would.

You have a choice every day when you wake up in the morning.  Do you choose to be happy today, or would you like to waste another opportunity to be miserable?

I choose to be happy and smile today.I choose not to try to do this all alone.I choose to reach out to my family, my friends, my doctor, my counselor, my NA family, and a

Higher Power of my understanding to assist me on this journey of recovery. I can’t do this alone.I choose to pay my rent every month and on time, including all my bills.I choose to spend my extra money on new clothes, going out to dinner, go to a movie, saving

money for a vacation to anywhere.

Choices by Melanie B.

3October/November 2014

Love comes from beyond the dust we’re made of When love is lost the heart may fracture and disintegrate A return to dust A trip to the darkest depths of one’s own hell And in the wasteland that remains A small seed of light begs to be replanted Growing bigger, stronger than it ever was before Strong yet fragile Empty but yearning to be refilled A reconstitution With so many cracks and crevices  The light can’t help but get in

Untitled by Anonymous

I choose to spend more of my time with my family, my friends, my NA family, and make time to make new friends and learn new fun things to do.

I choose to start bathing again and pay attention to my personal hygiene. I want to have clean hair, clean body, clean mind and a clean soul.

I choose to finally look in the mirror and not only like the reflection of my face, but love the person looking back at me.

I choose to take the time to start living healthy, eating a good diet, exercise, quit smoking, and start breathing again.

I have a choice to be or not to be a using addict, and experience all the misery that comes with it.

I also have a choice to be drug-free and happy again, with all the splendor that comes with it.I choose to be drug free!I choose to be happy!One day at a time.

4 Seattle Area Newsletter

Seattle Area Activities Committee needs your support!Meetings every fi rst & third Th urday at 6:30 p.m.Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church1729 Harvard Ave, Seattle

NNWCNA #37 “Free to Fulfi ll Our Dreams”Friday, October 24 – Sunday, October 26Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, OROnline registraton available at www.PNW37.org

Fall Carnival & Monster Mash DanceSaturday, October 25Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 1729 Harvard AvenueCarnival: Noon – 5 p.m.Dance: 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ($5 donation)Games, prises, resentment pies, refreshments*, cake walk**,

candy for the kids, costume contest with prizes, a live DJ, and more!* Burgers, hot dogs, drinks, and snacks for a donation** Contact Yvette V. To donate a cake for the cake walk

H&I/PI Learning Days 2014Friday & Saturday, November 7 and 8Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Avenue WestWorkshop leaders needed! For more information, please

contact Julia, Oona or Jimmy from the Seattle area at hipi2014learningdays@yahoo.com

Everett Area NA presentsFall Spiritual Breakfast and Basket Auction“Hope for the Holidays” fundraiser/silent auction

and raffl eSaturday, November 15, 8:00 a.m.First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Avenue,

Everett

Gratitude DinnerTh ursday, November 27More info TBA

Got an article, anecdote, announement or artwork you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Send an email to the Newsletter Coordinator at newsletter@seattlena.org. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity, spelling/grammar, and/or compliance with our Traditions.

Events & Announcements

Mike H. .......................... 11/13/97 (17 years)Jeannie E. ....................... 11/01/99 (15 years)Adam S. .......................... 11/10/03 (11 years)Darla S. .......................... 11/26/03 (11 years)Jennette C....................... 11/24/07 (7 years)Oona G. .......................... 11/21/08 (6 years)Scotty I. .......................... 10/08/11 (3 years)Melanie B. ...................... 08/14/13 (1 year)Shane M. ........................ 11/20/13 (1 year)

Clean Time BirthdaysIf you would like to have your NA birthday included in this publication, please email the Newsletter Coordinator at newsletter@seattlena.org. If you do not have access to a computer, feel free to call or text (206) 234-2125.� e cuto� for the December/January issue isSunday, November 30th. Sunday, November 30th.