Blog for March 24th, 2025
To Service or not to Service
This week has had different turns and events. We still had our grandson up until the middle of the week, he does not need surgery on that broken hip, thank God! It was nice having him for a week and a half. I also went to the dentist, but they did not get it quite right, so tomorrow, I have to go back to get my cap fixed right. Ugh! I am not a fan of going to the dentist.
But the cream de la cream of the week was a day with my daughter. We went out to breakfast, shopping, make-up done up for a photo shoot. Then, onto my grandson’s baseball game and it was a beautiful day. I’m grateful for these nuggets in time, precious memories.
I’ve just been trying to chill some and do a little work around the house. My husband and I went out to a Mexican dinner, and it was so much food that we are getting about three or four meals out of it! Lol. With the cost of food these days, we gotta make it stretch, but it was so good.
Then today, I did work around the house and went to my area’s meeting. Wow! It makes me wonder why I still do this. After forty years of service, I think it’s time to let go. The joy is being sucked out of the service for me. I heard people screaming at people, cussing, saying mean and crude things to someone. It was awful. They get so worked up. I hated it. My position isn’t up until December. But it’s not easy. I do believe in keeping my commitments for the duration of the term. I am not a quitter.
I am grateful that I don’t have to behave that way, but neither do I want to hang out with people that do, one day at a time, I’ll do the best I can with my Higher Powers help to fulfill my commitment. I cannot change the way others behave or think, but I can change where I hang out, who I go with, and to control my own mouth and attitude. I was disgusted, but at least I did not have an urge to strike out or be rude back. I already prayed for them.
I have been thinking about cutting back in service anyway. I am feeling overwhelmed with it all and I learned early on in my recovery that if we do it begrudgingly then we shouldn’t be doing it. If we are not doing it for love and helping others out of the goodness of our hearts, then we shouldn’t be doing it. But, like I said, I believe in fulfilling my commitments.
Service has helped me stay clean, but I’ve also seen it get others loaded. There is often a fine line in the balance we must maintain in our service work. We should not be ignoring our personal recovery, our families and personal life or our jobs. And most importantly our spiritual growth. Keeping our own faith in the process is vital.
If you are thinking of being of service, I highly recommend it. Try different positions and commitments. In NA we have a lot to choose from. Group service representatives, activities committee, Hospital and Institutions- carrying the message inside the prisons. Or public relations. There are many opportunities. I hope you find your niche in helping others to get and stay clean.
Question of the Week: Are you of service? Do you know when to say when to service work?
