Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to: [email protected] Page 1 Deadline: 5th day of month -- Send submissions to [email protected] Publication 11-2014 Page 1 Page 1 DISTRICT 29 TRUSTED SERVANTS New Permanent Action Log Email address: [email protected] NEWSLETTER EDITOR DCM ALTERNATE DCM ARCHIVES CENTRAL SERVICE OFFICE LAIASON COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY We are in need of group representatives...we are more efficient when we have your attendance. Our next District CPC Committee meeting is on Thursday November 13, 2014 at 6:30pm; Puyallup Elks. We will be attending our final Area Quarterly of this rotation on Saturday November 8, 2014 in Seattle and will be glad to share with you at our next meeting. This is a great time for all interested in service work to attend our meeting. Thank you for your continued support of CPC Committee. We have allot too do for our District 29 Community. [email protected] Deborah M. CORRECTIONS Please send your reports, articles, letters, and Hello from Corrections, I unfortunately missed falderal direct to me at the GSR and district 29 Corrections Meetings this month due to a sick family member. Huge d29actionlog thanks to my alternate Andy C from Meeker for @piercecountyaa.org representing Corrections at both meetings while I was unavailable :) We are very short on Women volunteers for the Thanks for letting me to serve ! Women’s’ meetings at the Puyallup jail. I have submitted two applicants within the past few weeks but they are still going through the approval process. If you know of anyone that Table of Contents would like to bring meetings into the jail please let us know how we can help to get them Trusted Servants: Page 1-2 cleared. Please note that clearance can take 3 months or so. Either ask your group's Corrections rep for more information, stop by District 29 Group Reports: our district 29 Corrections Meeting (this Pages 3, 4, 5 month's meeting: Wed Nov 19th at 6:30PM) or email [email protected] In service, Don S PUBLIC INFORMATION HOSPITAL & TREATMENT Financial Report: page 6 Into Action & Bear Tracts Page 7 Upcoming Event Flyers: Pages 8-10 & 12 Calendar: Page 11 Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to: [email protected] Page 2 DISTRICT 29 TRUSTED SERVANTS REGISTRAR (Vacant position) SECRETARY (no report) TREASURER (Financial Report on Page 6) TWELVE STEP SERVICE COMMITTEE The phone coordinators discussed the need for volunteers to answer the phones. Shannon B daytime coordinator has opening for Tue 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Several hours coverage were missed on 10/1 &10/12. Joe T has two openings on 2nd Wed 6.00 to 10.00pm and the 5th Sat 6.00 to10.00 pm. Yours truly, Phil M October 10 "AA is not an 'insiders' kind of Fellowship, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of thousands of AAs worldwide. We'll help any drunk anywhere, any time." Longview, Wash., March 1987 "Rule 62," AA Grapevine October 20 "The things that count cease being those that can be held in the hand and become only what can be held in the heart." North Hollywood, Calif., August 1982 "Savoring Our Sobriety," Emotional Sobriety October 25 "Well-remembered is the comfort I used to take from an exaggerated belief in my own honesty ... I was so absurdly proud of my business standards that I never failed to whip up a fine contempt for those of my fellow Wall-Streeters who were prone to short-change their customers. This was arrogant enough, but the ensuing self-deception proved even worse. My prized business honesty was presently converted into a comfortable cloak under which I could hide the many serious flaws that beset other departments of my life. Being certain of this one virtue, it was easy to conclude that I had them all. For years on end, this prevented me from taking a good look at myself." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., August 1961 "This Matter of Honesty," The Language of the Heart November 3 "No self-pity, no anger, no jealousy, no hate. What had this program done to me?" Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, June 1978 "That's My Sponsor!," One on One It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. ---Harry S. Truman Keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life. ---unattributed Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny. ---Henry Hancock Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of a situation, then deciding what you’re going to do about it ---Kathleen Casey Theisen Our Wholeness exists in us now. Trapped though it may be, it can be called upon for guidance, direction, and most fundamentally, comfort. It can be remembered. Eventually we may come to live by it. ---Rachel Naomi Remen If we can recognize that change and uncertainty are basic principles, we can greet the future and the transformation we are undergoing with the understanding that we do not know enough to be pessimistic. ---Hazel Henderson Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] page 3 DISTRICT 29 GROUP REPORTS are a big book study group with a wide variety of am reminded that there is hope, not just for me recovery time. but for others and I see all my friends there. I have nothing but gratitude for Alcoholics Hello again from the Above Ground group. It's Greg W. 24 hrs Anonymous for taking me in and showing me November already and the official start of the Leland P. 5 months the way to a better life. Thank you. holiday season...yeah! We meet Monday and 5 months Birthdays, well it's BIRTHDAY! For this Friday at the Daffodil Bowl in Puyallup at noon. Jessica W. Jim C. 5 months month is our very own Terri, celebrating 8 Come join us, it's a great little meeting. Ron G. 9 months years. Happy Birthday!! Here are the birthdays for October: Tony W. 9 months Fresh Start holds meetings every Friday at David K. 18 months 10:30am and 6:30pm. We are at the Lakeside Jenny 52 days Andre F. 1 year Milam 405 W. Stewart Street in Downtown Tony 3 months Robert B. 7 years Puyallup. We welcome you to come out and Malynda 3 months Carol R. 7 years share with us your experience, strength, and Max 1 year Matt F. 13 years hope. Denice 11 years Don 39 years Unity, Service, Recovery Carlos W. Tony W Have a blessed day Denice H ABOVE GROUND GOLD GATE FIRGROVE Mike A. 24hrs John P. 24hrs Hello from the Firgrove group! Come check us 24hrs out. We meet Monday and Friday nights at 8pm Jordan H. Greetings from Back to Basics! We meet James L. 90 Days Tuesdays at Mountain View Lutheran Church in at the Pilgrim Lutheran church located at 10510 Lisa B. 4 Months 136th St E. Our business meeting is the third Edgewood. (7pm) Chelsea G. 5 Months Monday of the month and birthday night is the There's a speaker meeting the third Tuesday, Nate J. 5 Months last Friday of the month with a guest speaker. birthdays are celebrated the last. Justin M. 6 Months October's guest speaker was the fabulous Crystal Birthdays for October: Mike L. 6 Months K from Parkland Hall. She was awesome and Karla F. 7 Months Firgrove thanks you Crystal for sharing your Shannon 2 months Brenda H. 10 Months story. Here are the birthdays celebrated in Jamie 3 months Max S. 1 Year October: Tracy 4 months Tiffany D. 1 Year Max 1 year Trey T. 2 Years 24 hours John Wayne 2 years Jay S. 36 Years 1 month Patrick Floyd 6 years 2 months Joe Scott 10 years Gold Gate Group, G.G.G has meetings 2 months Michelle Kay 33 years everyday Monday-Saturday At 10pm-11pm, 4 months Lisa Clark 33 years Sunday At 9:30pm-10:30. Our birthday night is 6 months Dawn always the last Friday of each month, Andy W, 10 months Dan Thanks for my sobriety, shared his experience, strength, and hope this 1 year Gerald Rockin Ron month. We would love more support, if you 1 year Graham ever think there was a late meeting you wanted 1 year Dave to go to, this would be it. We believe in a 9 years Mark BRUNCH BUNCH design for living that really works. We’re not a 22 years Julie glum lot. Come join us for some great 30 years Mary Jo fellowship. Congratulations to all! Have a great month. ELBE -In Service, ~Michelle James L. BACK TO BASICS FAMILIES IN RECOVERY Hello to all from the FIR group. We meet every Tuesday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 8am. We celebrate birthdays the last Tuesday of the month, with an AA and Al-Anon speaker. We FRESH START HAIR OF THE DOG Hola District 29, Greetings from Fresh Start. I'm asking for support because our meeting has had Hello from the Hair of the Dog group. We meet low attendance the last few months. We have great meetings and I always walk away a better every Wednesday nite at the Poodle Dog man than when I walked in. I think it's because I restaurant in Fife at 7pm. Here are the birthdays for October: Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] page 4 DISTRICT 29 GROUP REPORTS Dana Mike Kari (Hair Of The Dog – continued) 3 months 6 months 9 months God Bless Dave H HANG IN THERE Lisha H Dana O Pat Brenda J Tina M Rochelle Greg Tyler M Sean Jim 5 months 6 months 7 months 7 months 11 months 1 year 3 years 7 years 27 years 32 years candlelight meetings. Our birthday night meeting happens on the last Saturday of the month. We have a potluck meeting which starts with food at 7:00pm. Followed by a speaker meeting at 8:00pm, and birthday coins and cake passed out at 9:00pm. October’s birthday night speaker was Gretchen B. from Seattle. We also had a casserole cook off which there was a lot of delicious food! Hope to see you in November. Birthdays for the month of October were: Happy Birthday everyone! Blessings to all, Brenda J. (Alt. GSR) HOLE IN THE DONUT Greetings from the Bakery!!! First I'd like to say thank you to all who get up so early on Sunday mornings and come share your lives with us! We have been having some pretty phenomenal meetings lately and if you don't get there early there is no where to sit! So, thank you! Also, please join me in celebrating these birthdays, Jill N. Rick S. Ashley C. John C. Allen M. Jim C. Pat H. Jason P. Mary M. Cindy M 1 month 1 month 2 months 2 months 4 months 5 months 7 months 10 months 4 years 30 years Thank you Alcoholics Anonymous! In Service, Stephanie C. KEEP IT SIMPLE SUMNER Greetings from the Keep It Simple Sumner group! We have a great meeting here on Wednesday nights here in Sumner! Our meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Business Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday following the regular meeting. We are located at: 901 Wood Ave, United Methodist Church in Sumner, hope to see you there! Here are the people who celebrated birthdays in October: Shannon James 2 month 3 months LIVING FREE Welcome to the Living Free Group. We have a Birthday Potluck meeting with a guest speaker on the last Sunday of the month, family and friends are all welcome to attend. Our guest speaker was Buddy, who started this A.A. journey at Living Free, He wished he could just buy his sobriety and be done with it, but it was not that easy. He said, “When I get 5 years I will be fixed, % years came around and I realized just how sick I was. Thank you for sharing your recovery with us. The October birthdays are as follows: Craig Katie Pat Brianna Tony Ronnie Floyd Cherrie Joe Buddy 24 Hours 4 Months 7 Months 9 Months 9 Months 2 Years 6 Years 7 Years 9 Years 11 Years Happy Birthday to all of you! Kevin C. LOFT MEEKER The Meeker group is located at 414 ½ Spring street in Puyallup. We have daily meetings at 6:00am, 9:00am, Noon, 5:30pm, and 8:00pm. Friday’s and Saturday’s we have midnight Brian H. James L Max G aka “LP” Kevin C Max S Zarita Randy P Kay L Bill H 24hrs 60 days 1 year 1 year 1 year 18 months 22 years 33 years 39 years Trusted servant Roy F NO NAME GROUP . No Name Group is a closed meeting that meets every Thursday, 7-8:30 PM at the Puyallup Elks Lodge. Ordering dinner is an option during this meeting. The second Thursday of each month we meet in the dining room instead of the back room to allow the PI Committee meeting to use the room. We are a small group that is growing. Come join us. Jim E., Sec. OHOP NUTS & BOLTS We are so happy to share 40 years with one of our old timers that many of us grew up around out here in the sticks! Roger P shared a personal story that let us all know when we are willing and make the effort, old hurts can be forgiven and our families can heal. Also, thru the years of sobriety the joys, pain and health (good and bad), sober is always better. Sara B. Samantha J Chelsie L Kyle S Kevin H Nathan M 24 hours 1 month 1 month 1 month 2 months 2 months Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] page 5 DISTRICT 29 GROUP REPORTS Brandon m Nicki R Kyle B Sabrina S Trevor A Jenny O Jamie H Kim R Julie O Dustin C Jessica G Gene O Roger P (OHOP – continued) 4 months 4 months 4 months 4 months 4 months 6 months 7 months 7 months 9 months 10 months 1 year 2 years 40 years Love to all Jeanette V PUYALLUP GROUP speakers lately. Danny M. from the OHOP group was this months’ speaker. We felt blessed to hear such an unvarnished account of all his experiences. Wayne went to the Assembly with our group’s vote. A few members got together to cut fire wood for the fireplace. We are starting to collect clothing for our Christmas Eve annual event. In the meantime we will save your chair in front of the warm fireplace, hot dogs for your tummy and lots of good stuff for your soul. Greetings again from the Puyallup Group here on 5th Street SW and Pioneer. We hope that everyone is enjoying "sobriety" and taking advantage of the gift that has been given to us. I know with the Holiday Season coming on we are hopeful that many of you will join us on Thursday and Sunday evenings at 8pm to share your experience, strength and hope. The message we provide to each other can be the difference to the Love Without Conditions, newcomer. We had a Great Birthday Night again with our guest speaker being, Mary Jo. Karen E, Secretary We want to "Thank" her for sharing her story and allowing us into her life. We would also TRUSTED SERVANTS like to congratulate the following AA Birthdays: Joshua 6 Months James 9 Months Greetings from Orting Fireside Group!! Wow! Gerald S. 1 Year What a huge birthday night! There were so many Suzi W. 18 Months birthdays and what is also pretty amazing was to Ronnie 2 Years see all the support of our friends and families that Mary Jo 30 Years came to celebrate with us our special day! Bill 39 years I want to say a special thank you to Jennifer N. for coming out and sharing so freely of her with It is with tremendous effort and true us. It takes a lot of courage and you did it! vigilance that we continue to do what is Thank you! needed to stay "Clean and Sober." The feat at Please join me in wishing a Happy Birthday to: times seems daunting but with the help of AA, Our Higher Power and Our Sponsor, we Gavin 24hours take this journey "One Day at a Time." Brandy B. 24hours Josh M. 24hours Bless you all!!!! Tonya D. 1 month Freddie T. William F. 2months Rick M. 2months Nathan M. 2months SEEKING OUR SOLUTION Lou N. 2months Elaina S. 2months STRAIGHT SHOOTERS Brandon M. 3months Tracy E. 4months Terry 5months Straight Shooters meet every Monday night Emily K. 11months @ 7 PM at the Sumner Sportsman Club. Jessica G. 1 YEAR! Second Monday is potluck night and we are Gene O. 2 years soon going to bring back the raffle; Third Wally B. 3 years Monday is the business meeting directly after Cheri C. 7 YEARS!!! the regular meeting. Birthdays are celebrated Bill 23 years on the last Monday of the month. Mary Jo V. 30 years!!! Birthdays for the month of October were: Hello all! We had yet another great birthday night at Trusted Servants in Sumner. This month we celebrated: Whewwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! What a night!!!!! There were over 70 of us there! Forever Grateful, Stephanie C. Thank you, Corrine C. ORTING FIRESIDE 1 Month 2 Months 2 Months 4 Months 10 Months 1 Year Brandon T. Steve Z. James L. Trevor A. Brenda H. Max G. PUYALLUP A I R We are grateful for so many wonderful Graham B. Justin M. Tyler M. Mark Rob Gary L. 1 year 1 year 7 years 9 years 17 years 23 years We hope to see you all next month! Birthdays are celebrated the last Monday of the month with a potluck that starts at 6:30pm followed by our birthday meeting and speaker. Trusted Servants meets every Monday at 7:30pm at the Faith Covenant Church in Sumner. WOMEN ON TAPPS Hello, below are our birthdays. Women on Tapps (District 29) Lake Tapps Community Church 17017 Forest Canyon Rd. E Bonney Lake, WA 98390 Monday 7:00 p.m. October 2014 Birthdays · Katrina – 24 hours · Maria – 1 Month · Vickie – 9 Months Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] page 6 DISTRICT 29 FINANCIAL REPORT September DISTRICT 29 FINANCIAL REPORT 2014 MONTHLY Group Contributions JAN FEB MAR APR MAY Above Ground $ 86.00 $ 70.00 $ 84.00 $ 38.00 Back to Basics $ 40.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 Brunch Bunch Eatonville Group $ 125.00 Elbe Friday Niters $ 15.20 Fellowship in Recovery (FIR) $ 240.00 Firgrove Group Puyallup $ 360.00 Fresh Start $ 113.40 Gold Gate group $ 600.00 Graham Group Hair of the Dog-Fife $ 25.00 $ 25.00 $ 20.00 Hang in There (HIT) $ 478.32 $ 65.83 $ 113.84 $ 355.31 Hole in the donut KISS-Keep it Simple Sumner Living Free $ 125.00 $ 125.00 Loft Group Meeker Fellowship No Name Group Nooner to Niner OHOP $ 17.14 $ 28.96 $ 46.88 $ 128.43 Orting Fireside $ 50.00 Out to Lunch Bunch $ 200.00 Puyallup A.I.R. $ 120.00 $ 105.00 Puyallup Group Puyallup Men Puyallup Service Group Shop Group Seeking Our Solution (SOS) Straight Shooters $ 53.75 Trusted Servants $ 126.00 Women on Tapps TOTAL Group contributions $ 834.21 $ 966.00 $ 859.39 $ 899.72 $ 541.74 District 29 7th Trad $ 36.00 $ 24.00 $ 39.00 $ 27.40 $ Misappropriated Reimbursed $ 500.00 Other cash income $ 5.00 Total Income $ 870.21 $ 990.00 $ 1,398.39 $ 927.12 $ 546.74 EXPENSES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY DCM Expenses $ 77.76 $ 88.27 $ 141.11 75.33 Alt DCM Expenses Treasurer $ 18.40 Post Office Box rental $ 80.00 Rent-Elks $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 Bldg/Maint $ 38.88 Banking expenses Central Service Office Phones $ 65.00 $ 65.00 $ 65.00 $ 65.00 $ 65.00 Copy Expenses $ 43.76 Newsletter $ 114.32 $ 144.96 $ 144.96 $ 186.53 Misappropriated funds $ 200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 450.00 $ 400.00 Banquet expense Banquet expence returned COMMITTEE EXPENSES Accessibility Archives Corrections $ 300.00 CPC $ 236.64 $ 67.99 Grapevine/Literature Public Information $ 15.23 $ 239.17 Hospital and treatment $ 137.00 Special Events Advance $ 250.00 Monies rec. Special Events 7th Trad CSO 60% $ 480.00 7th tradition WWA 30% 7th tradition GSO 10% TOTAL Expenses $ 534.47 $ 1,226.96 $ 1,698.23 $ 1,887.33 $ 1,108.32 Begin Bank Balance - ACTUAL $1,686.10 $ 2,179.92 $ 1,784.88 $ 1,485.04 $ 867.47 Total Income $ 870.21 $ 990.00 $ 1,398.39 $ 927.12 $ 546.74 EXPENSES $ (534.47) $(1,226.96) $(1,698.23) $(1,887.33) $(1,108.32) plus checks not cleared $ 223.08 $ 65.00 $ 65.00 $ 407.64 $ 265.00 Less prev Mo. cleared checks $ (65.00) $ (223.08) $ (65.00) $ (65.00) $ (407.64) NET Monthly Balance $2,179.92 $ 1,784.88 $ 1,485.04 $ 867.47 $ 163.25 PRUDENT RESERVE OPERATING BALANCE SPECIAL EVENTS ACCT misappropriated fund reimbursed less check Ticket sales Monies Transferred Gen Acc Picnic proceeds deposit SPEC EVENTS Bank Balance $ 257.40 $ 257.40 $ 225.40 $ 53.40 $ 53.40 $ $ JUNE 72.00 80.00 JULY $ 40.00 AUG $ 80.00 SEPT $ OCT NOV DEC 40.00 $ 100.00 $ $ 15.00 66.40 $ 30.00 $ 30.00 $ 631.11 $ 39.00 $ 1,200.00 $ $ 30.00 47.00 $ - $ $ 1,870.11 SEPT $ 77.00 OCT $ 356.56 $ NOV $ $ 257.00 $ 159.11 $ 50.00 $ 125.00 $ 125.00 $ 100.00 $ 124.69 $ 105.00 $ 363.40 $ 65.00 $1,100.40 $ 145.00 $ 41.80 $1,528.80 JUNE $ 32.00 $ 186.80 JULY $ $ 105.00 $ 534.69 $ 44.25 $ 400.00 $ 120.00 $ 1,098.94 AUG $ 20.00 10.93 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ $ 65.00 $ 83.53 $ 175.59 $ 32.16 $ 114.32 65.00 $ 175.59 $ $ 74.35 $ $ 200.00 13.05 $ 114.32 $ 200.00 $ $ 71.32 114.32 $ 605.89 $ (17.81) - DEC 30.05 $ 46.41 $ 30.00 $ 50.15 $ $ 502.64 $ 163.25 $1,528.80 $ (502.64) $ 95.05 $ (265.00) $1,019.46 17.81 $ 611.46 $1,019.46 $ 186.80 $ (611.46) $ 416.63 $ 594.80 $ 1,098.94 $ (416.63) $ 56.70 $ 419.53 $ 1,333.81 $ 1,870.11 $ (419.53) $ 1,330.28 $ $ 2,784.39 $ 77.00 $ $ (1,330.28) $ $ 164.68 - $ - - $ $ - $ 594.80 $ 1,333.81 $ 2,784.39 $ 1,695.79 $ $(1,700.00) $ (1,700.00) $ 1,084.39 $ (4.21) $ 1,335.39 1317.58 - $ - $ 882.10 $ (19.69) $ $ 915.81 $ 419.58 $1,335.39 $ 1,335.39 (17.81) $ 1,317.58 $ 1,317.58 Yr to Date $ 350.00 $ 400.00 $ $ 225.00 $ 45.20 $ 240.00 $ 617.00 $ 113.40 $ 759.11 $ $ 85.00 $ 1,079.70 $ $ 30.00 $ 375.00 $ $ $ 100.00 $ $ 346.10 $ 100.00 $ 200.00 $ 435.00 $ $ $ 125.00 $ $ $ 53.75 $ 126.00 $ $ 5,805.26 $ 363.45 $ 3,200.40 $ 125.00 $ 9,494.11 Yr to Date $ 791.03 $ $ 103.68 $ 80.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 51.93 $ $ 455.00 $ 230.77 $ 1,284.91 $ 2,250.00 $ 605.89 $ $ $ $ 30.05 $ 300.00 $ 401.19 $ $ 284.40 $ 137.00 $ 267.81 $ 480.00 $ $ $ 9,735.85 Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] Trouble With Myself I have had more trouble with myself than with any other person I've met. ---Dwight Moody It's certainly easy to relate to Dwight's statement--it seems that most of us have more trouble with ourselves than with anyone else. We criticize ourselves, we get angry with ourselves, we make choices and decisions that hurt ourselves; in short, we often don't treat ourselves very well at all. And through all this, we rarely focus on treating ourselves well by forgiving ourselves, having compassion with ourselves, understanding ourselves, or giving ourselves a break. There's really no need for all of this, and it's a shame that so many of us treat ourselves in the ways that we do. It's easy for us to say that everyone on the planet is worthy of our love and respect, but then turn around and treat ourselves with almost none of either. It's easy for us to say that we're "looking out for number one," but that type of attitude tends to have more to do with material goods than with spiritual or emotional needs. It's also important to keep in mind that when we have trouble with ourselves, we're virtually guaranteeing that we're going to have trouble with other people. We can only give to others what we're willing to give ourselves, after all, and if we give ourselves troubles, we're setting ourselves up for problems with others. If someone is kind and compassionate to me, then I almost never have trouble with that person. If I'm kind and compassionate to myself, then how difficult it will be to have trouble with myself! And I'm worth my own kindness and compassion. You and I can profit by asking ourselves: What do I see when I look through the lens of my attitude toward myself? Am I more a critic than a friend? Do I look beyond the surface blemishes to find the truly beautiful and unique person that I am? Or do I play the destructive "comparison game"? What verdict does the juror of my mind pass on me: "good at heart" or "guilty on all counts"? ---John Powell, S.J. page 7 An accurate definition of the self is impossible. You are more than you realize, more than you can define. And the more time you spend trying to nail down the definition, the less time you spend living right now. . . Your past is not your identity. . . You, living now, is your identity. ---George Lawrence-Ell It's kind of funny how much time we spend trying to figure ourselves out. Perhaps it's a result of existential angst-maybe we feel that if we can define ourselves, our mortality will be explained to us and we'll have answers to important questions before we actually die. But many of the greatest thinkers of the world have realized that we go about creating who we are each day of our lives, through our thoughts, actions, and deeds. We don't need to stop and take a snapshot of exactly who we are, for such a snapshot will be incomplete and unfulfilling. We have to choose where we spend our energy, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to spend it trying to come up with something that necessarily will be inaccurate. My identity is not something that can be written down or captured, and it's much more fun for me to be living my life fully and getting the most out of life instead of sitting in some "library" somewhere trying to figure out who I am. I can see important images of who I am--reflections, if your will--in the things I do, the people I like and dislike, the things I own, the actions I take, the things I say. And that should be enough. These things won't provide me with a complete definition of my identity, but they most certainly can help me to see important parts of myself. I don't need to waste time and energy on a futile task, especially when I consider that six months from now, any definition I come up with will be irrelevant and out of date. How can you develop a self-concept linked to your untapped potential? First, you can decide on the kind of life you would like to lead in ten or fifteen years. This will give you a standard for making decisions about current activities and will reduce the inclination to compare yourself unfavorably to others. Learn to ask, "How would I handle this situation were I the person I hope to become?" And then take action in line with your vision. ---Ari Kiev Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] SERVICE AND EVENTS page 8 Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] SERVICE AND EVENTS page 9 Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] SERVICE AND EVENTS page 10 one or two sentences may seem abrupt, but is anything else worth saying? Those who have had a spiritual experience already know all about it, while for those who have not yet had one, an outpouring11-2014 of words wouldSubmission have no realDeadline:5th meaning. of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] Publication page 11 CALENDAR OF EVENTS The search for a higher power and the nature of that power, when found, are very personal matters. Many of us have no trouble in accepting God as our Higher Power; many others shy submit calendar information to the editor: [email protected] Note: Please away from the word “God,” but have no trouble accepting the District 29 Events presence of some sort of universal force; still others look upon our AA group or all of AA s a power greater than ourselves. In all these cases, though, we have acquired a belief in some DATEis& external, DAY EVENT than we are, and capable TIME force that more powerful of helping us return to sanity. This implies that the external, more November powerful 11, force for29 good, 2014 is a force District Monthlyan orderly force Starts: 6:30PM nd Tuesday Business 2 Tuesday of every month. capable of making sense out of theMeeting chaos of reality, and bringing order to own chaotic lives. November 13,our 2014 District 29 Monthly Starts: 6:30PM Thursday PI/CPC Meeting Thursday after d29 Business Meeting of every month. to The final stage of a full acceptance of the Second Step is 2014this greater District 29 Monthlygood and orderly Starts: 6:30PM come November to believe18,that power—a Tuesday Archives Meeting 3rd Tuesday of every month. greater power—will indeed actually help us. We have already accepted the idea can 29 doMonthly the job. Now we must November 19, that 2014this force District Starts: 6:00PM Wednesday Correction Meeting 3rd Wednesday of every become convinced, completely convinced, that the power will month. do it. December 2, 2014 Tuesday Treatment Standing Committee Starts: 6:30PM st 1 Tuesday of every month Once again, words are hardly an adequate method of trying to express belief. 3,Those thrownStanding themselves on the December 2014 who have Accessibility Starts: 6:30PM st Committee 1 Wednesday of every month mercyWednesday of the court, so to speak, know that the higher power will do exactly as the Step says. But that statement is no help at all to those who haven’t. What may help is a very brief description of one member’s struggles with the Second Step. December 6, 2014 District 29 Gratitude Banquet 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM Saturday Catered by I came into AA as an agnostic—or, rather, I didn’t believe in Brank’s BBQ anything much, but I wanted to. Although I couldn’t begin to acceptDec the20,concept of God, ICorrections certainly liked the serenity and 2014 Committee 9:00 AM Saturday Quarterly Fall 2014 Lunch provided, 7th Tradition obvious peace of mind I saw in those who did believe. observed As my time in the program grew, this desire grew. Also January 2015 was my WWA72 January Area Friday Dinner and/or Social increasing day2 &by3, day pain—pure, unrelieved pain— Friday-Saturday Committee Quarterly Saturday Lunch not physical pain, but a longing inside my brain and my heart for something above and, most important, beyond me. Jan 17, 2015 Accessibility Committee 9:00 AM My group and the whole AA program and as time went Saturday Quarterly helped, - Winter 2015 Pizza & Salad provided, th potluck. 7 Tradition by I began to perceive some sort of order where there had been only confusion, some sense of guidance where there had been only a labyrinth of blind alleys. WHERE CONTACT Puyallup Elks Carol N Puyallup Elks 314 27th Street NE Puyallup WA 98372 [email protected] Puyallup Elks 314 27th Street NE Puyallup WA 98372 [email protected] Puyallup Elks 314 27th Street NE Puyallup WA 98372 [email protected] Central Service Office 3640 South Cedar, Suite S Tacoma, WA 98409 [email protected] Central Service Office 3640 South Cedar, Suite S Tacoma, WA 98409 [email protected] Orting Soldiers Home 1301 Orting-Kapowsin Highway Orting, WA [email protected] Greater Seattle Intergroup 5507 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 [email protected] Edmonds Senior Center 220 Railroad Ave Edmonds, WA 98020 [email protected] Greater Seattle Intergroup 5507 6th Ave S Seattle, WA 98108 [email protected] Then one day (on the Garden State Parkway, as unlikely as that sounds) all the pieces fell into place. Whatever barrier had blinded my vision, preventing me from seeing the true nature of things, was gone. For the first time in my life, I became aware of the all pervading presence of an incomprehensibly vast power. Then, too, I became aware that I was only one infinitely small—but vitally important— part of the universe. Infinitely small because I was one tiny soul on one planet going around one sun in one galaxy of countless billions, but vitally important because the entire, immense universe would be very, very, very slightly different without me, as it would be different without any of us. The vision, if I may call it that, was momentarily staggering, but only momentarily. The essential rightness of my vision sustained me, and still sustains me. If I am a part of the whole—even a tiny part—I belong here. for out the exactly purpose of informing the reader, District-29 doesn’t promote any outside events. And if Information I belong here,contained all I have herein to do isisfind what I am supposed to be and do. For me as an alcoholic, part of this answer is obvious. The universe has the ability— -A.L. Editor Publication 11-2014 Submission Deadline:5th of month. Send all submissions to [email protected] page 12
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