Seems another change is in the offing. I may have to leave Sheffield and settle in Lemahagow in Scotland for the next year.
The taught section of my studies are over. This leaves me free to do a job and earn some money.. I have been offered a one year placement with ISCON (have you heard of it ?). I will be able to practice some of the things that I have learnt. I have too organize and manage their ecents and also play music when required.
Thiis however a voluntary job. But I get to save the 400 dollar rent, and the 400 dollar living expenses it costed me in Sheffield, because ISKON will look after all that for me.
Im also near NA meetings and have a big city where there are many meetings and probably a Convention round the corner.
The minus side is that this is a remote place so the prospects of getting extra paert time jobs is slim. Moreover I will have to say bye-bye to many relationships I had developed in Sheffield. It will be sad to leave, especially seeing as how these people in Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham and Doncaster in Yorkshire, England have supported me in my recovery.
However, lines from the Text, that growth means change comes to mind.
So, the winds of change blow my way, and theres no one in Sheffield that'd say "Oh no , I need you, I love you, so please wont you stay ?" So though there is a tear in my eye, Who am I to say " No this change I will not try !!!"
-- Edited by Raman on Sunday 16th of August 2009 10:13:35 AM
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Hey Raman ! Mikef here. Good to hear from you.I never heard of ISCON,when you can let me know what it is .All I can say is Man 'I love you..I believe Im probably a little ways away from Sheffield(its that geography thing with me you know!)But your here in my heart and I know in the hearts of many others on the site as well,, im sure...Im a 'newbie'here on this site but I have learned much in my brief interaction with those here.You have the right idea of searching out your meeting spots and I m sure you will meet people to share recovery with.Sometimes we have to put ourselves out there,bare to the bone and vulnerable.Stay strong and remember the God of our understanding is always there,we have to just remain receptive.Hopefully you will have computer contact to check back in,let us know whats up!When is the move supposed to happen??Let us know we'll have a small "going away party"(not sure how to do that onliine but "we" can be resourceful)Hope to hear back soon As always peace mike
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Right on Raman go for it man hope it works all out for you and i'm sure it will .
This last month I lost my best brother in law, lost my girlfriend, lost the right to dredge for gold YEP they took it away until a environmental study gets done BUT I should be getting the keys to my new house this next Tuesday. But those are some huge losses that hurt bad inside and I would trade my house in for my brother in law to be back yes I would.
Awesome new adventure Raman. I'm quite envious. I have had to put a bit of a squeeze on my usually extensive traveling do to this house construction and I'm getting a bit tired of it. Oh it's only 2 more years and 6 behind me, so 3/4 finished I am.
Thanks Mikef for those words of love and kindness. Thanks Vin, I klnow in my heart that you are on the verge of a very big lucky break, please dont quit 5 minutes before the miracle happens. Thanks Dean. You really are an inspiration for patience and perseverance. I belive it is always comforting to know I have a home and hearth waiting for me to go back to. Lucky for me I'd got a great builder to do that for me and we have all been experienceing a win-win deal. And Im also grinning from ear-to-ear looking at those Scottish chicks,,whew what prospects !
ISCKON is big in the US and many parts of the world. They are basicaly the Hare Krishna chanting, drum playing folks that attracted the Beatles, Mia Farrow and many others. In the US, they have these extensive farms where they practice natural living and feeding of guests.
Though Im not into their religion as such, here is a perfect oppurtunity for me to complete all of my study course. In the past year, I've completed the academic study and had to do a full one year placement to get the Masters with work certification. The process is based again on guidance and correction from a member of academc staff from the University and the aim is to get a proper practical understanding of the theory we have been taught.
So there i was, at wits end, on how I was going to get a plecement. The market in the UK is really down, more so for entertainment. Therefore this offer is very good for me. I have also noticed that there are one or two thers that were drug users and maybe I can guide them towards NA meetings. One of them say to me " Meeting you and hearing your flute playing was the highpoint of the festival for me".
There was three days of festival and events and good food, singing and dancing and worship of Goodness.
The important thing for me is that I utilize this opportumity to the fullest. Basically these people spread the word hrough chantin on the streets and holding of festival and events. The next big one I am asked to go and support is the Beatles Week ending day Hare Krishna Festival in Liverpool. When this movement first started, one big impact came from the Beatles becoming associated with them. Form then, many celebrities, commoners, hippies, flower children, etc.etc. have been attracted to the goings on of this movement. It seems quite big in New York as i see on the net.
These are basically gentle folks and I will also benefit from attention during my hep.c. treatment and dont have to be isolated.
Glasgow is a city about 25 miles from this remote village and I will be provided transportation for NA meetings at least twice a week. There are meetngs everyday and I will attend as many as I can. There is also the Glasgow Convention coming up, and the promise of lots of fun and Fellowship. My heart is heavy that I will have to say bye to many I met and became close to in NA here. Ive especially been fortunate to have a sponsee who has turned into a great serviceman. Then again, I will have to resign the post of RCM-alternate because I am now in a new area.
The temple president has been very kind in his offer and is a great musician too. Moreover he wants to set up a studio and is looking for my help in that too. the setting of this place is a small village called leshmahagow, in the heart of rural Scotland. History has it that whereas people from Yorkshire, Ireland and some other parts went to New England, the Scots set up Nova Scotia in Canada. Some books on travelling, culture and history say that you can never take the highlands and craving to be in cold from a Scotsman and even in the New World the Scots went that way !!!
Im looking forward to this change, and once again am reminded that growth means change, and Im thinking "I hope this is a change for the better !!"
Thanks for letting me share guys, God Keep you Blessed in your recovery too.
" Walking down this rocky road, wondering where my life is leading, but still moving on, hope theres no bitter ends."
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Seems partings are always angry or sad, nothing much in between, much less an understanding letting go with love.
The weirdest thing is that I am not certain if I am angry or sad. I have a tendency to not allow myself to feel sadness, so I show anger instead. Other times Im so bothered about not showing my anger that i get sad later for not acknowledging or sharing thata anger.
God's sake, what a complicated lot an addict like me can be at times when faced with new situations requiring some hard assed decisions !
So, now Im turning the whole thing over ! To the God of my understanding.
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as 'the Hare Krishna' movement, is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations.
OK, Raman, now that I'm not worried about you being drawn into some funky cult, you may go with my blessing LOL!!!
But keep in mind that one of the Four Regulative Principles is, and I quote: "NO ILLICIT SEX". Just so you know. LMAO!
Best wishes, hope you'll have internet access.
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From dying and surviving to living and thriving. LeeU
Ha,ha, thanks for the Blessings Lee. Leshmahagow is connected by internet and it will be my great joy to keep yu all posted with text and pics. They are religious and I do not have to be an " insider" there to do what I am doing for my study course. I am reminded that the 11th Step cautions addicts like me to be careful not to go out on a cloud of religious zeal.
Now for the sex bit,haha,, after eight months of complete abstinence from sex in any form, I may well be beyond the control of overpowering lust ! Afetr having practiced Tantric sex all through these last 20 years, I daresay Im in a position to say that I am ok with or without sex ! But then of course, my hearts desire has been to form friendship and love with a Scottish lass, oh gosh are they attractive. So yes, Im obviously grinning from ear to ear to be single, safe-sex practicing and believing in sexual loving kindness ! Dates will do for a start, no better way to relax after hectic work schedules tha be on a dinner date or movie or walks in the countryside. Then theres many meetings 25 miles away and they are comng up for a Convention next month etc.
Yes, Im glad that the winds of change do blow my way,, and I thank you again for your best wishes ! Hugs accross cyberspace to you.
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
