Monday Thoughts 5.6.24

“Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported.”
Unknown

“Sending love to everyone who’s doing their best to heal from things they don’t discuss.”
Unknown

“Love like someone’s life depends on it. Be compassionate, understanding, and kind. You never know who’s crying inside or this close to giving up.” 

Lori Deschene

#7 Love can change the course of my world.

Caring is all-important.

Sobriety and recovery enable movement through the most difficult-to-experience emotions to emotions that lift our hearts thanks in part to Statement #7 in action. Before New Life, experiencing intense feelings triggered wanting to escape into drinking but the WFS Statements aid in grounding emotions while experiencing and expressing love.

When new to sobriety, women opened their arms and hearts in every post on the WFS Forum as I began to look around. Never before had I witnessed such openness, caring, and vulnerability in recovery. It was a safe place to connect with women who understood and to learn about addiction/substance use disorders. Statement #7 in action was in full display.

The boost felt from attending WFS online meetings led to a sense of caring that felt deeper than anything I had experienced before. With alcohol my world had shrunk without notice, leaving feelings of vast emptiness. Sobriety and Statement #7 in action enabled me to hit the brakes, switch gears, and invest in life again. It was the beginning of a loving relationship with my New Life that continues to beautifully blossom!

Hugzzz
Karen

Dear 4C Women,

I love the quotes Karen shared with us. Giving and receiving love can and does change the course of your world. For me, the easy part was knowing that I loved and cared about others. The challenging part was learning to love myself and to feel I was worthy. My life experience taught me to empathize with others who were struggling yet I hadn’t done that for myself. This Statement helped me to realize I needed to care about myself as I did others. It was quite a journey. The more my self-esteem grew, the more I accepted that I was a worthwhile person who could receive love as well as give love. When I got divorced, I started to question my self-love. I once read that self-love grows from actions that support our growth. It is having compassion for ourselves as we continue to grow and find our life’s passions. Self-love is not a destination or a singular event. It is a practice that requires time and patience with ourselves. It can be the foundation on which we build a happy and stable life. That is what my New Life began to feel like – stable and balanced. It also led me to know that love does not need to be a romantic relationship to live a life filled with love.  It can be hobby love, nature love, team love, friend or family love, fuzzy love (pets) book love, gone but not forgotten love, traveling love, writing or journaling love, self-care love, forgiving yourself and others love.  

  What love would you add?  

  Who do you love and why?

  How do you express your caring for others and yourself?

  Who is part of your caring/love circle?

  How has love changed the course of your world?

Bonded in changing our world with love and caring, Dee

Join Us at the Nourishing Our Roots Conference – Limited Accommodations Available!

Dear Women for Sobriety Community,

I am thrilled to extend a warm invitation to each and every one of you to join us at the Nourishing Our Roots Conference this year. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet in person and connect with like-minded women on a journey of recovery. This year, we are expecting a record number of attendees, and I can’t wait to see the conference buzzing with energy and positivity.

Please note that due to the overwhelming demand, we are no longer accepting registrations with housing accommodations at the dorms. However, a limited number of off-campus housing options are still available for your convenience. Additionally, we offer day passes for those who wish to attend the conference without overnight accommodations.

Our conference will feature inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, merchandise for sale, and social programming with fun activities lined up throughout the weekend. But beyond the excitement and entertainment, our focus is on connection, learning, and personal growth. This conference is an investment in your recovery journey, and the connections you make here can be truly transformative.

We are looking forward to welcoming you at the conference and sharing this enriching experience with all of you. Your presence will make the event even more special, and I can’t wait to see you walk through the front doors filled with excitement for an entire weekend of growth and connection.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something truly empowering. Secure your spot at the Nourishing Out Roots Conference and be prepared for a weekend that will leave you feeling inspired and rejuvenated.

Hope to see you there!
Dr. Michelle Shaivitz
Executive Director