ACA/EAA A Chit Chat

1999 09/20

In this month’s Chit Chat I have decided to concentrate on the topics of Spontaneity and the Adult Child Serenity Prayer...

Hi!!! My name is Paul W., and I’m the editor of the "Chit Chat". If you would like to contribute material, support, help, or suggestions:

• See me at St. Paul’s on Wednesdays; or,
• Write to me at:
    Editor, "A Chit Chat",
    219-370 Forest Street,
    Ottawa, Ontario,
    K2B 8B3. -or-
• E-mail me at the NCR Intergroup mailbox: ACAinOttawa@canoemail.com

Food for Thought:

When do we detach? When we get hooked into a power play... an attempt to control or force others to do something they don't want to do.

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR) ACA INTERGROUP

The following positions are available on the NCR ACA Intergroup:

• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR) ACA INTERGROUP

All ACA members are reminded that you are welcome to attend any ACA Intergroup meeting. Intergroup meetings are held on the third (3rd) Monday of the month at 5:30 PM in room 202 at St. Paul's University.

More Food for Thought:

God never, never asks us to do anything that He or She would not equip us to do.

Spontaneity

In recovery, we're learning to let ourselves go! We're learning to be spontaneous.

Spontaneity may frighten some of us. We may be afraid of the loss of control involved with spontaneity. We may still be operating under the co-dependent rules that prohibit spontaneity: be good; be right; be perfect; be strong; don't have fun; and always be in control.

We may associate spontaneity with acting out in an addictive, compulsive, self-destructive, or irresponsible manner.

That's not what we're talking about in recovery. Positive spontaneity involves freely expressing who we are... in a way that is fun, healthy, doesn't hurt us, and doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

We learn to be spontaneous and free as we grow in self-awareness and self-esteem. Spontaneity emerges as our confidence and trust in ourselves increase, and we become more secure in our ability to maintain healthy boundaries.

Being spontaneous is connected to our ability to play and achieve intimacy. For all those desirable acts, we need to be able to let go of our need to control ourselves and others, and fully and freely enter into the present moment.

Let go of your tight rein on yourself. So what if you make a mistake? So what if you're wrong? Relish your imperfections. Let yourself be a little needy, a little vulnerable. Take a risk!

We can be spontaneous without hurting ourselves, or others. In fact, everyone will benefit by our spontaneity.

Today, I will throw out the rule book and enjoy being who I am. I will have some fun with the gift of life, myself, and others.

Still More Food for Thought:

Let go of unrest. Let peace fill the void.

Adult Child Serenity Prayer

God,
Give me the Courage to accept my past,
The Wisdom to integrate my past with the present,
The Strength to build a bridge toward the future
and the capacity to love myself.

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