Fresh Start Club West Branch

11/04/2025

Today ( Tuesday) adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families meets at 530pm. Then at 7pm Common Ground group of narcotics anonymous meets

11/04/2025

Freedom from Fear
“I believe it is through the Twelve Step program of ACA that we no longer live life from a basis of fear. We live with self-care and love.”
BRB p. xxiv
We just sat and waited, or we tried to keep ourselves busy while we waited, even though it was difficult to concentrate. We waited in fear for the fireworks to start. We thought about what we could do to keep it from happening. But even if we had known then what we know now, we were children and we couldn’t have stopped it. It was like a runaway train.
As adults, we found relationships where we could continue to do what we did best: wait. We waited in fear for the addict, for the abuse, for anything to go wrong. But as our emotional illness progressed, along with it often came physical illness. Gratefully, we eventually realized that this was no way to live.
In ACA, we can look back at the trauma we endured and know that our True Self was buried underneath the rubble, and we can resurrect it. We can now learn to sit peacefully, no longer worrying about what others are doing. We practice self-care and feel gratitude for the new insights that we continue to have.
On this day I will nurture my True Self by no longer living in fear and by not worrying about things that are none of my business.
© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

11/04/2025

Today (Tuesday) at Noon

11/03/2025

Tonight (Monday) 12x12 at 7pm

11/03/2025

Step Eleven
“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understand God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.”
BRB p. 263
In ACA, we begin to get in touch with a loving Higher Power that some of us choose to call God. We realize we have an inner compass that is steering us, and we are not alone.
As we continue to pray and meditate, we often find that the image of our Higher Power changes. This is okay; it is a normal part of growth. We are changing, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. But we are always striving to move forward, seeking what is right for us.
We no longer struggle or fight when we get confused. When we are looking for answers, we stop and smell the roses until they come naturally. We don’t let others throw us off. We no longer allow our dysfunctional families to control what we think and say about ourselves and our lives.
Our spiritual path does not need to match anyone else’s. We pray for our own knowledge, not the answers for anyone else. If we truly listen, we see that our Inner Children are steering us closer to our Higher Power as they ask to be nurtured and loved. With guidance, we are choosing the next right thing to do for ourselves.
On this day I reach out to the source that is always there when I am open to listening, even if I don’t have a specific definition of my beliefs.
© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

11/03/2025

Today (Monday) at Noon

11/02/2025

11/02/2025

Patience
“Another stumbling block involves taking on too much program work at once. Some members who smoke, overeat, and act out sexually might attempt to address all of the conditions at once. For these ACA members, we suggest two program slogans: ‘Easy Does It’ and ‘First Things First.’”
BRB p. 51
When we first decided to attend an ACA meeting, we entered these rooms alone, scared, angry, or exhausted. We knew we needed to do something, but we didn’t know what – that’s why we came here. Many of us were looking for ways to change the people in our lives, and we wanted to change them now.
We learned that our family of origin issues and failed relationships didn’t happen overnight. We don’t need to read every self-help book this week or hand the Laundry List to everybody we know. If we really want to trust that the program is going to work for us, we learn to follow in the footsteps of those who came before us – to slow down and “Take It Easy.”
We learn how to take care of ourselves by attending meetings. We pray for the courage to ask someone to be our sponsor or fellow traveler who will help us work the Steps. We stop complicating, analyzing, and debating. We learn to keep the focus on ourselves and “Keep It Simple.”
On this day I will remember to be kind to myself and use our slogans, especially “First Things First,” “Easy Does It,” and “Keep It Simple.” They will help me stay grounded.
© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

11/02/2025

A few weeks away

11/01/2025

Today (Saturday) at 10am is Sober Saturday Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then at Noon Recovery Nation group of Narcotics Anonymous meets.