OLGA Reflections: Who is a newcomer?

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dan1
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OLGA Reflections: Who is a newcomer?

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OLGA Reflections

Wisdom of Recovery

Who is a newcomer?

Reflection.

Tradition 5: The group has but one primary purpose--to carry its message to the video game addict who still suffers.

When newcomers arrive at our self-help fellowship, they are often desperate. They post their stories with titles like "Help me, I don't know what to do," "I'm desperate", "It's become worse than drugs". One cry for help after another.

Some of us are pretty new ourselves. We came here and got help, but we're still struggling. We're still working our steps, trying to build a new life. We think those who helped us really knew what they were doing, really understood recovery. They saved us. We think that, but we're a little bit wrong. We haven't realized the truth yet: The fellowship is us. Just us. Nobody else. No doctors, no therapists. No one in charge. Just a group of addicts trying to recover together. And we carry a message from those who have recovered before.

One of the things that helped us see this was helping newcomers. They are desperate. They want to know what to do. We share with them what happened to us and what we did, and the magic starts to happen. We see them recognize something. They listen. They hear. And many times, they do what we suggest. And as we share, we also recognize something. We recognize ourselves in their stories. We remember how desperate we were when we showed up. As we speak to them, we begin to realize how far we have come. Every time we share, we understand our own recovery just a little bit more.

This is why a self-help fellowship works. Because I am you. Because the old-timer was a newcomer, and the newcomer will be an old-timer. Because we are gaming addicts and know what it is like to wake up with our face on the keyboard. We were driven to our addiction by distress, and were pulled by the promise of escape to another world. We lost our lives hour by hour, week by week, year by year. I know the hole you are in, friend. I have felt what you feel, I have done what you have done. Those are the words that bring hope to the newcomer.

We help ourselves and help each other. Because we're in it together. It's magic.

So who is a newcomer? In some sense, we all are. A newcomer is anyone who will listen. Anyone I can help.

Questions: Do I see that what I have been through can help someone else? Am I willing to begin to share my experience, strength and hope with others?

Prayer: Higher Power, help me remember that all I have to share with another comes from my experience. Help me to see that sharing my story is all that I need to do.

Actions: Share your story with a newcomer today, or listen to theirs.

I am a recovering computer game and gambling addict. My recovery birthday: On May 6, 2012 I quit games and began working a program of recovery through OLGA No computer games or slot games for me since December 12, 2012. No solitaire games with real cards since June 2013.

Patria
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Dan1 wrote: So who is a
Dan1 wrote:

So who is a newcomer? In some sense, we all are. A newcomer is anyone who will listen. Anyone I can help.

I find that I am more willing to listen, to stay in recovery, and to live a life of recovery, if I stay "green"; stay a "newcomer". It's when I think I know all the answers, that I get in trouble. All I have is my experience, strength, and hope. And if I don't do what newcomers are asked to do, then I don't have any ESH.

Hugs to all.

Maggie
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I am a newcomer and I am

I am a newcomer and I am learning every day. I have only been in recovery 3 months ago, I am never going to be where I was but that is ok. I have accepted the new me and I am learning to be the new me, hopefully the happier one of course. It is always great to be humble and thrive to be excellent (not perfect).

It's good to have goals and dreams, but while you're waiting for things to change, waiting for promises to come to pass, don't be discontent with where you are. Learn to enjoy the season that you're in--Pastor Joel Osteen

LearningSerenity
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As I've heard it put before,

As I've heard it put before, "the three most dangerous words for an addict are 'I've been thinking...'" I'm especially in trouble if the thinking that's going on involves any form of "I've got this figured out now." Knowledge has never been the answer to my addiction...action is the answer. That action likely won't be very successful unless it's based on good and accurate knowledge, but the key is still to act differently, not to think differently.

I don't know what it's like for anybody else, but for me, if I start thinking that I have it figured out, my actions start going back to what they were, and then in the end, my thinking reverts as well. Eventually, I'm back to where I started, staring at the same mountain and wondering how I got there. Remembering that I will always be a newcomer with something to learn is a good place to start.

When you're going through hell...keep going. --Winston Churchill There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still --Corrie ten Boom

Silvertabby
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Such good stuff here.  I

Such good stuff here. I especially love this: "Just a group of addicts trying to recover together." I found that I can't do it on my own. I need this group. I thought I had it "together" and didn't need Olga anymore. I proved myself wrong.

 

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. ~Maria Robinson

Patria
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I try to remind myself that

I try to remind myself that every day is a new day, and every day I am a newcomer; keeping it green. I can't rely on yesterday's message.

Found on "intherooms.com":

Prayer for the Day: Next Right Step - God, please show me all through this day, what is the next right step. Give me the strength, faith, and courage I need to take care of the problems in my life. Show me the solution, for I will take the next right actions. And, I ask to be free from self-will and fear. Your will, not mine, be done. Amen

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