Comics and poetry.
The following are reprints from the July edition of NA Today. Make sure to subscribe or download the magazine so you don’t miss out on any of our awesome content. Enjoy!
Perspective
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have had a bad day at work, think of the person who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it is like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits who is working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down leaving you miles from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new grey hair in the mirror think of the cancer patient on chemotherapy who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what life is all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who did not live long enough to get that opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance smallness or insecurities remember – things could be worse. You could be them
#12
On the No 12 tram to St Kilda.
I used to catch this to come here to score.
Straight into the lions den.
No fear.
HP and gratitude with me all the way.
Plus the poor buggers still in active addiction on the tram do not make using even slightly appealing.
Reflections
Despite myself, I took a chance to dance with the “dice”
I picked up for pain and paid the price
always in debt with life and death
despite the cost in not dead yet
despite myself, I look ahead
more is the love
less is the dread.
Neshko
TIRED
I got this pain that is killing me inside
And to push it all away
I end up always getting fried
Started telling myself that I’m tired of this life,
Tired of the bullshit
Tired of being high
Thought that I could do it on my own
But I couldn’t, don’t know why
I’d just lock myself away
And be sucking on my pipe.
Started losing all my morals,
Started losing all my pride
Then they took my son away
Gave my heart the biggest fright.
So I put myself in rehab
In the first on that I could find.
Now it’s time to turn it around,
And it’s time to change my life.
Now I’m here for the long run,
What a bumpy ride!
Now I’m starting to get better.
Thought I was going to lose my mind.
In here everybody is sober
And everybody is kind.
Nearly thought my life was over,
How could I have been so blind?
Now I’m in a different place,
Starting to open up my eyes,
And I’m changing all my ways
So my son can see me rise.
I just take it day by day.
No more telling myself lies.
And the look on my mum’s face
Now I’m handing my fate over
To that man up in the sky.
By Laura, Townsville
JUST FOR TODAY
Grateful to God
For showing me how
Just for today
To live here and now
Embracing each moment
With each rising sun
His kingdom prevails
Only His will be done
I evolve from the darkness
I follow His light
He guides and protects me
From morning till night
I can see crystal clear
My doubts disappear
I have nothing to fear
Coz God’s always near.
-Carmelina Mary Sottile
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
I rise to my feet
I’m feeling serene
I’m living with gratitude
Sober and clean
No longer a prisoner
To old secrets and choices
Serenity is drowning
The old evil voices
Recovery I journey
With my family tribe
I’m thanking my God
For this wonderful vibe
My new attitude of gratitude
Opens up the way
Out of the depths of darkness
Into a brighter life each day
-Carmelina Mary Sottile
I love to write and journal everyday for the past 35 years. I have a lot of written material I would be relieved and happy to share.
I hope to inspire before I expire.
Kind regards from
Carmelina M S
We’d love to hear from you. Send all submissions to natoday@na.org.au. There’s guidelines on the NA Today homepage.
Our next edition is on “On the ways we work the steps.” Perhaps you have something on this theme?
Has it got to this? From Theresa A O, author of 17 books
Hey Theresa, there’s heaps of great content in the last issue. Download and have a read, and I hope you enjoy it. Perhaps you’d like to send us something? Submission guidelines are on the home page, and the next theme is ‘on the ways we work the steps’