Volume 8, Issue 1 Phone: 352-419-4836 Location: CR486 & Anvil Terr, Hernando [email protected] January 2019 Addicted to Romance Every human being has a tendency depending upon the pattern of

It is easy to get to worry about the other fellow. It is another person. He concentrates addicted to ro- a characteristic which none of us more on his own problems and mance. We all enjoy the emotional seems able to control. To be able to weaknesses rather than criticize his live our own lives without worrying friends. (We cannot criticize others highs of being in love. So, when one about the other fellow is a virtue when we ourselves are open for relationship ends and we feel sad few of us possess. I have noticed in criticism.) The alcoholic in A.A. and low, we immediately look for myself a feeling of depression when will begin at last to see and feel the another relationship to cheer us up. a friend of mine was driving a new benefits of living with himself Falling in love is truly like a drug. It car. I felt inferior because my friend rather than by living by some other makes you very high for a short peri- had something I could only wish person's pattern. od of time, but inevitably you crash. for. Is this not the pattern most of us If we alcoholics are to gain Then, if you are an addict, you go follow in our lives? And isn't it also happiness and serenity through out and get another fix. You find true that we many times concentrate sobriety we must to some degree someone else to fall in love with and on things which are of no concern live by ourselves and not be to us; thus find ourselves in a "jam" dependent upon the actions or lose yourself in each other. because we didn't pay more emotions of our neighbors. It is not You don't have to have much in attention to ourselves? necessary that the alcoholic become common to fall in love. When you When a defect of character such a hermit or a prisoner of himself or are high, it seems as if you could as this presents itself, it is only that he should not accept advice share anything with your partner. It's natural that we want to strive to from friends. He simply should try only when the drug wears off that change our pattern. The alcoholic in to live his individual life without you realize that you and this other A.A. finds the slogan "live and let patronizing the abilities or person might not have much to live" a tremendous help in this successes of his neighbor. A.A. share. It can be disorienting and particular trait of character. He teaches me to try and live with two painful to look at someone whose begins by trying to eliminate beings. I have found that by living jealousies or resentments. He then with these two beings I am living bed you have been sharing and real- tries to live his own life without happily. ize that you have very different val- ues, interests, and goals in life. Club Recovery Paid Up the day to day operation of the Everyone likes falling in love. Members club, along with rent from the Who wouldn't like a hormone rush? groups. Without the If you would like to be a But very few people realize how membership it would be hard paying member of Club dangerous it can be. Indeed, very to maintain the facility Recovery see the Duty few couples survive falling in love. that we have. We would Officer and they will get The ones who do survive are the like to double the number you signed up. Dues are ones who either took the time to get in the coming year with $10 a month, $25 for 3 months to know each other before they fell our new facility. Please in love or the ones who were just and $90 for a year. consider joining. plain luck. Paul Ferrini Membership dues are used in Page 2 WHAT’S GOING ON AT CLUB RECOVERY By John L, Trustee & Editor

Christmas Alkathon was a great success. There was enough food to go around and Attendance at meetings was strong. The main meeting room looks very cheerful. New Years was the same with food and meetings. Many stayed until the mid-night hour to celebrate the coming of 2019. We are looking forward to what God’s plans are for all of us in the new year. Can love be described? by John L, from the book, “Narrow is the Road to Recovery III” Have you ever told someone your understanding of love? If you have, you're probably amazed at how little you actually know about that simple word. Love has only four letters, but it's very complicated. It could be compared to understanding how infinite the Universe is. The Universe extends outward forever while being infinite in time. So we try to explain, two infinite equations, multiplied by each other. How can we ever reach an answer when there isn't one. We're capable of loving one who has passed, perhaps many years ago. Their love for us is still vivid as our love for them. We can also love someone with passion who's located on the other side of the world as if they were still standing in front of us. Corinthians 13:4-84 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” When I read that verse, I have an idea what love isn't and a few words saying what it always is, but still no idea of love. I believe love was a gift from God in the beginning. It's said to have started with Adam and Eve. Now I'm beginning to understand what I don't understand. I've tried to explain God with words and it's never worked. I think love is in the same category as God. It’s a knowing, a feeling experienced by each one of us who's found that power and knows it's inside as well as around. God and love are manifested in nature. The flower has God and love along with every other creature. Love transcends the dimension of time and space. Love cannot be explained with words. If you feel it, you know it’s real. The same is true with God. “Why are my relationships so GRATITUDE DONATION chaotic?” … “I know I shouldn’t be treated this way, but I’m afraid of being The building fund is growing slowly. We alone.” have a long way to go before moving to a more permanent location. Club If this sounds familiar, you may be a Recovery belongs to ALL OF US, not Codependent− someone who looks to just the members. If you are grateful another person for fulfillment. A for this facility, please donate to the Codependent relationship consists of a Building Fund. Donations accepted by the duty officer. Donation cans have “weak” person who needs to feel been placed around the hall. Every little connected and a “strong” person who bit helps. Donations are tax deductible. needs to feel needed. It’s a cycle that All donations are tax deductible. Ask for leaves both people feeling trapped. a letter showing our tax ID. Page 3 To let go doesn't mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else. To let go is not to cut myself off, it's the realization I can't control another. To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands. To let go is not to try to change or blame another, CLUB RECOVERY I can only change myself. TRUSTEE ELECTIONS To let go is not to care for, but to care about. Elections are January 12th at Noon To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive. If you wish to serve in this capacity To let go is not to judge,but to allow another for a minimum of one year, please to be a human being. sign the signup sheet which will be Letting go isn’t being in the middle arranging posted next to the Duty Desk. Signup the outcome, but to allow others to effect will only be available until December their own outcomes. 31st so your name can be added to the To let go is not to be protective, ballet. Qualifications are flexible, but it is to permit another to face reality. it’s desired that you have been a member for one year, sober for 18 To let go is not to deny, but to accept. months and of legal age (18). The To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, committee will decide these but to search my own shortcomings qualifications on an individual basis. to correct them. 10 Trustees and up to 2 To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, alternatives will need to be elected. but to take each day as it comes, Most present Trustees are willing to and to cherish the moment. continue serving in their present To let go is not to criticize or regulate anyone, capacities, however the Membership but to try to become whatever dream I can be. needs to make this decision in January To let go is not to regret the past, and will only be voting for those who have signed up. Trustees will serve in specific SCHOLARSHIP MEMBER: capacities in addition to being on the Club Recovery has a Scholarship Program for Board, such as Meeting Coordinator, Facility Manager, Membership Chair, those that would like to be a member but are Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, financially unable to pay the monthly dues. We ask General Store Manager, Activities a little bit of your time, cleaning, working events, Chair, and Offices Manager/ duty person or any other duties that need to be done. Volunteer Coordinator. All responsibilities enable the Club to During our events we don’t turn anyone away for serve our community. Keep these the inability to pay. There is always something to do things in mind as you decide to run which can earn your way. and serve on the Board, and as you If you are interested in being a Scholarship choose those willing to serve. Only paid-up members will be eligible to Member, see Bill A, Marisol or John L vote. Page 4 "As an adult I am no longer a victim" Michael Z

This was a tough lesson to learn. When I was new to Al-Anon, I was a victim to so many people and situations and when I spoke to people about it, what I was hoping for was some sympathy and understanding. Imagine learning that I was instead a volunteer for the drama and pain in my life. That was a large pill to swallow. And it didn't go down easily either. After I accepted I had a choice, and actually began exercising it by not engaging or by acting differently, other people got pretty upset. They were used to me playing a certain role and grew angry and resentful as I began to take different actions. The breakthrough came as I persevered and worked the Al-Anon program. The miracle was that as I changed and recovered, the dynamics of my relationships changed, too. Suddenly, as I took more responsibility for myself, other people took more responsibility for themselves as well. As I focused on myself and recovered, other people and situations improved as well. It all started when I accepted my role Sometimes you don’t realize that all you need is God, until all you have is God

Even after years in recovery and with all my sober experience, I’m still amazed by my tendency to put so many things before God. Many times, I’m convinced that if only I were retired or had enough money to travel more, or if my wife would do what I wanted, then my life would finally be better. If only I could get what I wanted, then I would be happy.

My stubborn reliance on this myth can be pretty disappointing. I’ve been reminded in meetings that anything I place before God will be taken from me, and I can show you inventories of the many things I have put before Him, and obsessively chased and then lost, to prove this is true. It’s painful when it happens, but the result is that it al- ways leads me back to God.

The greatest gift I have today, and the one constant source of strength and hope in my life, is my relationship with my Higher Power. My Higher Power has the answers and solutions to the problems I face, and He has a deeper love and caring for me than I’ll ever comprehend. When I’m connected to God, there are no worries, no wants, and no needs. When things get stripped away, as they will be, and all I’m left with is God, it’s then that I remem- ber: All I ever needed was God.

"Not picking up a drink creates infinite possibilities for me ... When I wake up in the morning I pray for what I need to get through the day sober. I also smile and say to myself, Who knows? This could be the greatest day of my life!"

I sabotage myself if I attach my sobriety to people, places, or things. Page 5

I want to thank everyone who attended meetings, fellowship and events at Club Recovery in the past year. During this time the club has become more financially stable and we are looking at grants in 2019. Our mission, from the start, has been to make available to the recovery community, a place where meetings and fellowship are available in a safe and secure environment. Club Recovery is staffed completely through the good will of our volunteers. Many of them work shifts at the desk and perform other duties. As spokesperson for the Board of Trustees I want to thank all of our volunteers for your service, without which this club could not have survived. Club Recovery does not belong to the founders, any group or individual, but to the community it serves. I would ask, if you would like to see Club Recovery continue to prosper, it’s time for the next wave of leaders and volunteers to step to the plate. January is our next election cycle for Trustees. Check the bulletin board for announcements or see me. This is the time, in the spirit of rotation, to bring new experience to the management of this club, which in turn will bring fresh ideas. New ideas will make Club Recovery stronger in the future. If you have some time available and would like to help, please see one of the Trustees or the Duty Person who will pass on your contact information. Desk Duty positions are Monday thru Friday from 10am to 2pm, 5pm to 7pm and Monday thru Thursday 7 to 9; Saturday morning from 10am to noon and 5pm to 7pm; and Sunday from noon to 5pm and 5pm to 7pm. To those who have sponsees and want them to learn service work this is a great place to start. Once again I want to thank you all for the support that you’ve given Club Recovery in 2018 and look forward to a bright and successful 2019. Miami Bill, President The 1st "After endless voting on a title for the new work Tuesday of we had decided to call it EVERY The Way Out. But month the inquiry by Fritz M., our Maryland alcoholic, at Sober Sand Gnats of Inglis The Library of Congress will host a pot luck meeting. disclosed the fact that 12 We eat between 6pm and books already bore that title. Surely we couldn't make our book the 7pm. Meeting at 7pm 13th. So we named it Alcoholics

This is an open meeting and Anonymous instead! Though we didn't know it, our movement then family members are got its name -- a name which encouraged to attend. because of the implication of humility and modesty has given us Please bring your favorite our treasured spiritual principle of dish for all to enjoy. anonymity."

"In the first six months of my own sobriety, I worked hard with many alcoholics. Not a one responded. Yet this work kept me sober." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., January 1958 Page 6

Open Hours: MEETINGSMEETINGS ATAT CLUBCLUB RECOVERY:RECOVERY: Mon-Fri 6:00AM—7:30AM SUNDAY: 9:00am—Keep It Simple Group—AA—Closed Discussion 10AM-2PM & 6:00pm—First Thought Wrong Group—AA—OD 5PM-Closing MONDAY: 6:30am—First Things First—AA—OD Saturday 12:00pm—Sober Nooner’s Our Primary Purpose—AA—OSD 10AM-Noon 5:00PM –Closing 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—AA—OD Sunday 8:00pm—First Thought Wrong Grp—AA Noon-9PM TUESDAY: 6:30am—First Things First—AA—BB Send Mail To: PO 161 12:00pm—Sober Nooner’s—AA—OD Hernando, FL 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—AA—Living Sober Book Mtg. 34441 6:00pm—Woman’s Way 12 Steps—AA—WOMEN Officers & Trustees P– Bill A 8:00pm—First Thought Wrong Grp—AA—BB VP-Marisol C WEDNESDAY: 6:30am—First Things First—AA—OD S– John M 12:00pm—Sober Nooner’s Twenty-Four Hours A Day Grp—AA—O T– Bob R 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—AA—Beginners Sandy H John L 8:00pm—First Thought Wrong Grp—AA Rick C THURSDAY: 6:30am—First Things First—AA—Step George M 12:00pm—Sober Nooner’s—AA—O Charlie T 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—AA Kara M Jan M 8:00pm—First Thought Wrong, Beginner’s—AA John S FRIDAY: 6:30am—First Things First—AA—OD Committee’s 12:00pm—Sober Nooner’s—AA—Step Activities 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—AA—O KAREN H 6:00pm—Spiritual Meeting (Back Meeting Room) Community Outreach SATURDAY: 10:00am—Sober Nooner’s Easy Does It—AA KARA 6:00pm—Heading Home Group—Ask It Basket, AA Facilities CHARLIE T

Offices Manager/ FirstFirst Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager

John S ThoughtThought Website CLUBRECOVERY.ORG MARISOL C WrongWrong Newsletter SPEAKER JOHN L SEND NEWS TO MEETINGS [email protected]

Meeting Coordinator 3rd Thurs, GEORGE th January 17 Membership List 8:00pm JOHN L

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