1. health and fitness
2. addiction

The Inside Connection
NEED HELP HOTLINES
Volume 47
Issue 12
YAY!
COLOR
ING
CONT
EST
INSID
E
See Pg
.7
AMERICAN RIVER AREA 1-800-600-HOPE
PE
SACRAMENTO FELLOWSHIP 1-877-NA3-6363
363
SIERRA FOOTHILLS 1-530-645-1635
December
De
2014
A.R.A.N.A. / SAC F.N.A.
American River Area of Narcotics Anonymous
& the Sacramento Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymouse
Inside this Issue
1 . E d i t o r ’s N o t e / J F T
2 . S t e p Tw e l v e ,
Tr a d i t i o n Tw e l v e ,
Tw e l f t h C o n c e p t
3. American River Service
Information
4. Step Work by Robert H.
5 - 6 . A m e r i c a n R i v e r,
Sacramento & Sierra
Fo o t h i l l s A r e a E v e n t s
Editor's Note
Welcome to The Inside Connection!
Here you are experiencing recovery from addiction, by the American River and
Sacramento Fellowships of NA. These pages are a compilation of up-to-date information on NA meetings, events, and subcommittees that need your involvement to
succeed. The Inside Connection also contains inspirational words from addicts sharing
their experience, strength and hope, as they find an maintain recovery from addiction
through NA. We encourage submissions from our members. Submit your letters, artwork or other recovery related material to [email protected] or
INSIDE CONNECTION, P.O. BOX 42, CARMICHAEL, CA 95609
Just For Today
Meditation
7. Step Work by Jessica A.
8. NA Birthdays
“Quieting the mind through meditation brings an inner peace that brings us into
contact with the God within us.”
Basic Text, p. 45
9. Members Share
10. Meetings in Need
of Support
As our recovery progresses, we often reflect on what brought us to Narcotics Anonymous in
the first place and are able to appreciate how much the quality of our lives has improved. We
no longer have to fear our own thoughts. And the more we pray and meditate, the more we
experience a calm sense of well-being. The peace and tranquility we experience during our
quiet times confirms that our most important needs — our spiritual needs — are being met.
We are able to empathize with other addicts and strengthen our conscience in the process.
We learn to avoid judging others and experience the freedom to be ourselves. In our spiritual
reflection, we intuitively find "the God within us" and see that we are in harmony with a
Power greater than ourselves.
Just for today:
I will reflect upon the gift of recovery and listen quietly for my Higher Power's guidance.
Visit jftna.org and subscribe for the daily Just for Today email!
Step Twelve: paragraphs from “The Basic Text”
“Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this
message to addicts, and practice these principles in all our affairs.”
...We came to Narcotics Anonymous as the result of the wreckage of our past. The last thing we
expected was an awakening of the spirit. We just wanted to stop hurting...
...Those of us who have worked these steps to the best of our ability received many benefits.
We believe that these benefits are a direct result of living this program...
...By this time, most of us realize that the only way that we can keep what was given to us is by
sharing this gift of life with the still-suffering addict. This is our best insurance against relapse to the
torturous existence of using. We call it carrying the message, and we do it in a number of ways...
...We help new people learn the principles of Narcotics Anonymous. We try to make them feel
welcome and help them learn what the program has to offer. We share our experience, strength
and hope. Whenever possible, we accompany newcomers to a meeting...
...The selfless service of this work is the very principle of Step Twelve. We received our recovery from the God of our understanding. We now make ourselves available as His tools to share
recovery with those who seek it.
Tradition Twelve: paragraphs from “It Works How and Why”
“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place
principles before personalities.”
...In personal recovery, we seek to replace self-will with the guidance of a Higher Power in our
personal affairs. In the same way, the traditions describe a fellowship that takes its collective
guidance from spiritual principles rather than individual personalities. That kind of selflessness
is what the Twelfth Tradition means by the word "anonymity," and it is the spiritual foundation
upon which Narcotics Anonymous is built. Tradition Twelve is all the traditions rolled up in one,
summarizing and reinforcing the message of the previous eleven...
...Anonymity is essential in preserving the stability of our fellowship, making personal recovery
possible. Recovery is a delicate thing. It grows best in a stable, supportive environment. Each of us
and each of our groups plays a part in maintaining that stability. Our unity is so precious that, given
a choice between fulfilling our own wishes and preserving our fellowship's common welfare, we put
the best interests of NA first. We do this not only out of enlightened self-interest but out of our sense
of responsibility to our fellow addicts. The principle of NA unity comes before the fulfillment of our
personal wishes...
Twelfth Concept: paragraphs from
“A Guide to Local Services”
“In keeping with the spiritual nature of Narcotics Anonymous, our structure
should always be one of service, never of government.”
...Selfless service is an essential spiritual endeavor. Our Twelfth Step says, in part, that
"having had a spiritual awakening," we individually "tried to carry this message to addicts."
Our collective service efforts arise from that same spiritual foundation. Having experienced
the results of this program in our own lives, we join together to carry the recovery message
farther than we could individually. NA service is not about forcing our will or our ideas on
others; rather, it is about humbly serving them, without expectation of reward...
...This principle underlies all we do in our groups, service boards, and committees. The
Twelfth Concept reminds us that we ourselves have experienced recovery only because
others put this selfless principle into action before us, taking the time and the care to carry
the NA message to us when we were still suffering from active addiction. In service, we
express our gratitude for the recovery others have shared with us by carrying ours to others.
Nothing could be further from the drive to rule or direct than this spirit of selfless service...
American River Area Service Committee Information
STEP WORK
By Robert H.
Dear Inside Connection,
Greetings, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and health.
Your newsletter is my meeting in a cell when I am on lockdown and
it has kept me on the right track in my recovery. I have over 7 years
clean and could not of done it without the fellowship of NA.
Sincerely, Robert H.
Step #12
"Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps,
we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these
principles in all our affairs."
This step came automatically for me once I had worked all the
other steps.
When I found peace and contentment in my life and let go of all the
hurts and resentments I had, wanting to share what I found came
naturally. My thoughts were, if I can work these steps and change my
life, then anybody could do it. By telling my story to another addict,
maybe something I shared would stick for that person and they could
change their life too.
When I filled the void in my life with a higher power and not myself,
started to share my story at NA meetings and began helping others,
I had found the final piece of the puzzle that I needed to completely
fulfill my recovery.
I knew if I got complacent in my recover I could slip back into old
habits. As long as I live for today, the past can’t creep back in. By
sharing my message of hope I can cement it into myself and make
sure it never slips away.
SACRAMENTO FELLOWSHIP
Carry the Message On Stage
PLAY COMMITTEE FORMING - PLEASE SIGN UP
It’s time to form our own actors committee. You don’t need past
experience - Just willingness to participate. GUARANTEED FUN!
3RD TUESDAYS AT 6PM 1429 BROADWAY
CONTACT STAN H. (209) 481-9239
A.R.A.N.A. Presents
Unmasking
your Dreams
New Year's Eve
7pm Speaker Meeting (free)
9pm-1am Dance
Tickets $10 in advance / $15 at door
(children 12 and under are free!)
Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street,
Sacramento, CA 95819
Boulevard Court Recovery's Christmas
POT LUCK / SPEAKER MEETING!
Monday, December 22, 2014
6pm - 9pm | Meeting starts at 7:30pm
5321 Stockton Blvd. (Community Room)
Mercy Housing
Please bring a side dish that can feed 5-6 people.
New Way of Life Group of Narcotics Anonymous
has multiple events each month
7595 Center Parkway, Sacramento CA 95823
COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR:
• 1st Friday Night — Candle Light Meeting with Pizza and Awesome Speaker
10:00pm - 11:30pm
• Last Saturday of Every Month — Continental Breakfast | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• 2nd Sunday of Every Month — Potluck Meeting - Bring a Dish | 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Sacramento
Survivors’ Group
Join Us Every
Tuesday 6-7:30pm
Open Participation /
Discussion Meeting with a
Speaker on the First Tuesday
of the month. Monthly Birthday
Cake Celebration following the
Speaker!!!
2700 L Street in Mid-town
(directly across from
Sutter’s Fort)
Childcare Available!
Wheelchair Accessible!!
WOMEN’S
POTLUCK
Every 3rd Thursday
of the month
6:30-8:30pm
SPEAKER MEETING
Every 3rd Friday of the Month
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broderick Group
2124 Michigan Avenue, West Sacramento
Grupo Vivir
en ti NA
Si crees tener
problemas con las
drogas y las quieres
dejar y cambiar tu
manera de vivir... te
invitamos todos los
Martes alas 8pm al
programa de
Narcoticos Anonimos.
"SI SE PUEDE"
5419 Leader Ave.
Sacramento CA
Nuestra direcion 3500
Mobile wy.,
Sacramento CA 95833
All women are
welcome and we do
allow children
(916) 912-7575
(916) 370-4306
Childcare is now
available at...
Recovery in
Rio Linda
...And I bet you know why!
(Parents who have children need
to have meeting time too. We have
made arrangements with the Church
here to have the adjoining room
made available to children of parents
in our meetings.)
5th and L Street,
Rio Linda
Meetings held, Monday &
Thursday: 7-8:30pm and Saturday: 12-1:30pm
How is my decision
to work step 4
a demonstration of
Courage?
Trust? Faith?
Honesty?
Willingness?
a question derived from
The Step Working Guide
Simply because these are all the
traits that we need to be fearlessly
working the program and not
being afraid opens us to certain
benefits. Benefits like being
courageous with confronting the
unknown and getting to know it.
We are trusting that this program
that we follow will guide us the
way that will work best for us and
help us get that spiritual
awakening we are searching for.
We are being honest about
everything that we spill onto these
pages of the Step Working Guide
and we are not leaving anything
out that may create a reservation
later. We are willing to do
whatever it takes to have and get to
that spiritual awakening we crave
and need and desire.
— JESSICA A. –
Coloring Contest!
SEE YOUR COLORING ON THE COVER
OF THE FEBRUARY INSIDE CONNECTION!
Directions: Use markers, colored pencils, crayons,
glitter pens, or cut and paste collage elements to fill in
the above artwork. Submit your work to the Inside
Connection by email or mail postmarked Dec. 20th.
[email protected] or
Inside Connection, P.O. Box 42, Carmichael, CA 95609
JUST HAVE FUN NOT USING!
N
NA
A
Birthdays
Download
blank birthday
sheets at Sacramentona.org,
on the Documents page.
AUGUST-14
12 Steps to Freedom
OCTOBER-14-Continued
Building Yourself for Change
Multiple Years
Deborah H ................................................6 Years
30 Days
Rita S.
SEPTEMBER-14
12 Steps to Freedom
90 Days
Beverly H.
18 Months
John C.
Multiple Years
Heidi V .....................................................6 Years
OCTOBER-14
12 Steps to Freedom
60 Days
Becky
6 Months
Bob B., Theresa S.
Multiple Years
Dorothy.....................................................6 Years
Recovery Inclined
60 Days
Jordan M.
1 Year
Beth C.
Multiple Years
Heather P .................................................5
Bob D ....................................................... 7
Eileen M ..................................................14
Glenn S ...................................................16
Terry B ...................................................21
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Humpday Hope
NEWSLETTER NEEDS
YOUR INPUT!
Needs short stories, step work, artwork
or anything that has to do with
recovery.* Please submit your work to:
[email protected]
or Inside Connection, P.O. Box 42,
Carmichael, CA 95609
*Material may be edited to ensure the clarity of the
NA message. For example, clean will replace sober.
30 Days
Brian B., Lennie S., Marcus G.
Multiple Years
Marcie T .................................................. 3 Years
NOVEMBER-14
12 Steps to Freedom
90 Days
Beverly H.
Humpday Hope
30 Days
John Y.
?????
MEMBERS SHARE
on the question of the month
What are some attributes of your
ish Higher Power?
n
u
p
s
Doe
His spark of
not
divinity is
y
rn to M
u
t
n
a
c
g that I
n
i
w
o
n
k
Always wer.
po
higher
Makes
G
N
I
IM
T
T
C
E
F
nally
PER
Eter g!
ilin
Lov
i
n
g
,
c
a
r
i
n
g
& all
knowing
Guidance
of us
Catches me
when I fall.
l
fee lf
I
hen myse
w
me do it
s
e
i
't
r
Car t I can
tha
LOVES
EVERYONE
Forgiving, patient, loving,
gracious and wise
He is everything
I could imagine
being!
e
m
s
e
Lov nally no
o
i
t
n
i
i
d
s
n
n
unco hat happe
w
r
e
t
t
ma my life.
of each one
HE'S KIND, LOVING &
NOT JUDGEMENTAL
sm
all th
life wo e things tha
t happ
rk tog
en
ether
for go in my
od.
Loves me whatever I do.
at the core
I trust
my
higher
power
with my
life, I
would
be dead
without
him.
Part of
his will
for me is
H&I.
LOVE
LOVE
LOVE
IN NEED OF SUPPORT
American River Area Meetings
Wednesday Meetings
• 6:30pm Carmichael, Here, Try This, 5809 Gibbons Dr., (Need Clean-time Support)
Sunday Meetings
• 11am Arden Arcade, Together in Recovery, 2829 Watt Ave., Rm #1, Young People's Meeting
(Need Treasurer)
• 4pm Carmichael, Have Mercy, 5907 Cypress Ave., (at church Rm C4) (Need GSR & Alt GSR)
Sacramento Fellowship of NA
Monday Meetings
• 7pm Sacramento, Life After Dope, 450 W El Camino, Nor Sac (near Northgate Blvd.) No Child Care, SD
(Need Support & Positions Filled)
Tuesday Meetings
• 6:30pm Sacramento, Keep it Clean, 6201 Spruce Ave., Women's Meeting (Need Clean Time Support)
• 7pm Sacramento, No Frills, 10497 Coloma Rd., RC, No Child Care (Need Support)
Wednesday Meetings
• 8pm Sacramento, South Side Group, 4445 Fruitridge Rd., (Need Support & Positions Filled)
Thursday Meetings
• 7pm Sacramento, Made a Decision, 2201 Benita Dr., RC, Speaker Meeting
(Need Support & Positions Filled)
• 7:30pm Sacramento, Ounce of Hope, 2450 Meadowview Rd., (Need Support)
• 7:30pm Sacramento, Happy Hour, 1820 28th St., (Need Attendance Support)
Saturday Meetings
• 12pm Sacramento, TU Women, 3900 Martin Luther King, Women's Meeting (Need Alt GSR)
Inside Connection
P. O. BOX 42
Carmichael, CA 95609
American River Area
Question of the Month
What
would
like
to have
as aclean?
future
How
have youyou
made
it through
holidays
Question of the month???
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The Inside Connection
WA N T S Y O U R G R O U P ' S B I R T H D AY S !
WANTS YOUR GROUP’S BIRTHDAY
Please fill out your group's Birthdays from within the past 60 days or upcoming 30 days.
Remember to turn this form in by the 15th of the month so that Newsletter can include it in the
upcoming edition of The Inside Connection. Late forms will be added to the following newsletter.
Group Name:
Below: Write first names (may include last initial). Specify what month each birthday
takes place. Do not write original clean dates as it is not necessary.
30 DAYS……………….
6 MONTHS………………….
18 MONTHS……………..
60 DAYS………………….
9 MONTHS…………………...
2 YEARS………………………...
90 DAYS………………...
1 YEAR…………………..
MORE THAN 2 YEARS
( STATE HOW MANY????? )
EXAMPLE:
Aaron W. in June
Mail form to: The Inside Connection, P.O. Box 42, Carmichael, CA 95609
or email to [email protected]