For several years I was aware I had a sex problem and yet I was not willing to seek help. I would go on alcohol and sex binges, rotating between the two, trying to find happiness and peace. I started 25 years ago looking at pictures and fantasizing things that somehow I assumed to be normal. I began acting out some of my fantasies and that’s when everything started to go downhill.
Since the meeting in Rochester, NY in January 1994 the COOC has met six times. Quite a few matters of significance to the SA fellowship as well as the operation of the Central Office (CO) have been discussed.
MOTION: Moved that the COOC agrees to move the Central Office from Simi Valley, California. Carried unanimously. (Margo C./Paul S.)
I heartily support your line “…the fact remains that we could make a significant spiritual breakthrough were we to submit to the direction [of a sponsor] and carry it out without questioning.” That’s the key. Until I started doing that (and I only did that because I was desperate, and had begun to see the point) my self-will had me still in its grip. And it’s my self-will that leads me inevitably back to acting out, in some new guise or other.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fellowship for its deep concern during the recent earthquake. Many of our members sustained terrible damage, and the total loss of their homes and possessions. And yet, these are some of the members calling Central Office to offer assistance if needed.
Sharing was, for many of us, the first gift of the program that we really felt. The meeting provided an island of safety where we felt we could open our darkest secrets to an understanding group of friends. In time, however, we have come to learn that our sharing is an integral part of our progressive victory over lust, both as individuals and as a group.
Central Office needs contact people (name, address and phone number) for new inquirers to call. The listing below shows, by state, the first three numbers of the postal Zip Code areas in which we have no contact person. This means that while we have many calls from people suffering, in some cases we are unable to help them find a meeting in their area.
I was talking to another SA member recently about healthy marriages and how to have one, and he suggested that I propose a “corner” in the Essay for members to share what is working for them in that area. I think we spend too much time talking about acting-out behavior and not enough about having healthy relationships. If we truly have surrendered lust, then what better do we have to do with our time than learn how to be more intimate with our spouses and/or friends?
Agenda: January 1994 conference in Rochester; service committee reports; other business.
The meeting on chronic slipping was completely without resentment! (at least, no resentment about the theme…). Some people identified as chronic slippers. Some asked for a sponsor.
