Spring into Service

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Serenity Times. Our theme for this issue is “Spring into Service—Planting Seeds of Recovery.” Inside, you’ll find reflections on the topic of service as well as our regular features. These include Sounds of Serenity audio shares that answer the question, “How has being of service helped me grow in my recovery?” There are also our Spring clean-time anniversaries, celebrating the courage and continued growth within our fellowship. If you have a clean date for our Summer issue (June 21st – September 21st), you can send it to Sami S. at shopkins344@gmail.com.

Spring reminds us that growth rarely happens all at once. Seeds are planted quietly, often in ways we may not notice at first. In Narcotics Anonymous, service often looks much the same—simple acts like greeting a newcomer, sharing honestly in a meeting, setting up chairs, or walking beside someone as a sponsor.

Service lives in the everyday rhythm of our meetings, where our members make coffee, read literature, and help create the welcoming atmosphere many of us remember from our first meetings. These acts may seem small, yet meetings exist because we show up and care. Through such small acts, many of us discover the quiet joy of belonging.

Some of us serve our home groups as trusted servants—secretary, treasurer, or group service representative—while others become involved in area service. Through efforts like Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) and Public Information (PI) our message is carried into treatment centers and communities, while Activities offers members fellowship, belonging, and fun in recovery. I believe that when it comes to being of service, there really is something(s) that is right for each of us.

Service reminds us that recovery is something we share. When we give back what was freely given to us, the message of hope continues to reach the addict who still suffers.

Should service on the Serenity Times Newsletter subcommittee interest you, we welcome new members, as well as any contributions that help carry the NA message—whether articles, reflections, poetry, artwork, or photography. If you’d like to join or contribute, you can reach me at tinamserenitytimes@gmail.com.

With gratitude,

- Tina M.