God has been Good to me. I got a Surprise Gift  that I wanted to share with yall

Early this year, just as i was getting a bit weary with everyday routine and repetition, I got a call from a friend.                                                                

 "Would you like to represent the state as a keynote speaker at this recovery symposium ?" he was asking.

Well, I had shared in many Conventions, been on stage with my music and done many PR events but to get on the podium at a symposium would certainly be a challenge.

"Ok, sure" I was instinctively saying. And that was it.  

I was feeling anxious but little did I know that a great adventure lay ahead. I was on the treshold of a brand new experience !

I worked on my paper, did all the formalities and then the big day was pon us.                                       

I was a keynote speaker at this event. I also presented my paper here called "Recovery benefits everyone". I was thrilled and greatful that there were people from all over the world that were sharing and being present. No, this was not an NA, AA, or such like event but mainly people from the field. But many were 12 Step Tradition Fellowship members.

This certainly was a brand new experience. I was seeing how they, the non-addict, non-12 Step agencies were caring for the addict that still suffers. There were the medical, law, government and social-service people, but thankfully the whole symposium was addict centered. 

12 Step Fellowhips dont have a monopoly in caring for the addict that still suffers, but it is very heartning, encouraging and empowering how we addicts can co-operate with others in the field. I daresay we have changed, especially seeing as many in the field are ones we hated then, especially goverment, police and medics !

Many addicts shared what in clean time they did with their lives and how they went on to be good in careers and creating opportunities for others too.

What emerged is a clear testimony that an addict, any addict, can lose the desire to use and find a new way of life. And this was being expressed by recovering addicts, but not in the usual 12 Step settings.

Here are some pics, and a copy of the paper !