Coming Events | Announcements | Reminders | Inspiration | Contact
The purpose of the CoDA Serenity Pages newsletter is to not only inform, but also to encourage spirituality, communication, and unity among CoDA members. It is also to carry the CoDA message to other co-dependents who still suffer.
The content of this newsletter - unless otherwise noted - is not endorsed by National CoDA or the Greater Omaha CoDA Service Group. They are only each writer's personal opinions or experiences.
All are encouraged to share their experience, strength, and hope in the form of stories, poems, book reviews, article submissions, etc. (no matter how new or old you are to the program).
To submit contributions, email Rhonnie P. at rhonda.pretz@nmhs.org
|
October
FROM The Desk of the Vice Chair
While contemplating how to begin my new responsibility with this newsletter I received an unrelated e-mail from my son. It included the following quote:
“Everything broken has a history, everything mended has a future”
He knows that I like to collect quotes, I use them in my artwork. I am always looking for something unique, one that will strike a cord with me. This one did.
While I was awaiting an answer from my son as to the origin of the quote I started to reflect on its message and how I felt it pertained to my recovery journey.
I remember walking into my first CoDA meeting and how I felt, sad and angry, scared and so alone. I felt “broken”, my heart and spirit were certainly broken as well as my faith. I didn’t know how I would ever be able to go on or if I really wanted to. Every thought was too painful. I was trying to understand what had gone wrong in my life, what I had done that was so bad that God would punish me in such a way.
Through CoDA, my life began to change. I learned I was not alone, I was not being punished. I started to grow, to heal, and to believe again.
As I view my life today its amazing to me how much it has changed since that first meeting. I know that every day is a great adventure, each day holds a new promise, and each day is a step to the future. The “journey” was not always easy but it was necessary. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” (another favorite quote). I now have a future filled with hope.
Oh by the way I received my son’s answer as to the origin of the quote…it was his, he just made it up. How’s that for profound?
To the future,
Rhonnie, Vice Chair
Getting to Know You
The “Getting to Know You!” section will focus on a different CoDA member each moth. This way we can get to know one another better!
Sheryl F.
- Q: How long have you been in CoDA?
- A: 8 years
- Q: What was the best advice you ever received in the program?
- A: It was "Suggested" early on that I might want to call my sponsor or someone in the program before I acted on some of the thoughts I had. Of course I was offended. So it was gently explained to me that my best thinking got me here so if I wanted to recover, I might want to get a second opinion. Go to a meeting and talk about it, pray about it, work a step on it, and in 24 hours if, I still thought it was a good idea, I could do it. That is still the process I use today and it has never failed me.
- Q: What is your favorite of the 12 steps?
- A: Don't quit before the miracle happens. Recovery is out there the same for you as it is for me and for countless others.
- Q: Is there anything you’d like to share with newcomers?
- A: “Keep coming back and don't be afraid to take action to change! Fear is a crippler. In CoDA we don't have to do it perfectly and when we need help we can ask for it without recrimination, shame or judgements.”
- Q: Who inspires you and why?
- A: Today I am inspired by Roy Horn from Siegfried and Roy. I watched the interview with him on TV. He is not angry about what happened to him. He chooses to look at it as having a new life's work that he would not have had otherwise.
He has an incredible spirit and a genuine love of life and all the possibilities it holds.
- Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- A: I want to go Washington D.C. to the new Native American History Museum.
- Q: What do you do to center yourself and find serenity?
- A: Over the years I have developed a ritual for when I need to find my center and find peace. I go into a space of my own. I light incense, burn a few candles, listen to meditation music, read a recovery or spiritual reading, say a prayer, concentrate on my breathing, close my eyes, and let the feeling of peace find me.
- Q: Do you have a favorite recovery book?
- A: I have a little book that was given to me by a dear friend called The Women's Spirit Book. It has daily readings and has activities that accompany the readings and the best part is- it's just for women.
- Please remember to bring in your 7th tradition meeting donations to the montly service meeting. The formula is 80% to the 12-Step house and 20% to the CoDa service group. Each group should keep a prudent reserve of $10-$15 for individual meeting expenses such as chips, literature, etc.
- Meeting list changes? Contact Sarah or CJ (706-0950)
Top of Page
Copyright © Codependent's Anonymous of the Greater Omaha Service Area
Questions or comments? Contact the
