Congraulations on 19 years of Freedom and Miracles and a gift to carry the message to others.  Proof as has been shared.  Miracles happen in the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous.

Diane K

No mistake Dear.  As a matter of fact I had a guest here in my home who was on the site and shared it with me.  She is since gone so I thought I would join myself. Good to see you as well.

Be blessed. Diane K

Thanks dear Tahir,,, Peggy and Diane!!!!

Im greatful that you all are there in my recovery !!!

May i share a bit with you ????

Hi all,,, how are you doing ? My name is Raman and I am an  addict !! This day I celebrate 19 years of complete and continous clean time !!!

Because ive  had Gods Grace and close associatiion and identification with other addicts in NA groups.

First NA groupthat I beonged to was Loner Group and it was a meeting by mail. I still interact with that group of about 1000 members worldwide.

Then i was informal Na meetings to real live NA meetings that were held here twice a week.The name of that group was and still is Reality Group !!!!

And last couple of years Miracles In Progress has been my basic sharing base !!!Im really greatful for the connection.... here Ive shared aand cared with addicts form all over the world,,, gving methe disticnt feeling of well ness and how wonderful it is to be a part of a really Worldwide Feloowship.

Theres now many meetings in my hometown Bangalore in the South of India. Wonder what idea you may have of India and Bangalore city in particular but it is a fast growing Infotech,biotech and BPO hub.

This city at that time had few AA meetings and one rehab where i was admitted. Therein I got to read the Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous and had a sense of recognition with the people who shared their stories and joy in reading about the Steps and Traditions of NA.

And in those in house meetings when people introed themselves and said

"my name is so and so and I am an addict" iwas thrilled !!!!Like id found something invaluable.Like i was sitting on the answer id been searching foir my whole life !!

Then when i came out of there i was taken to AA meetings and latched onto that.

I was glad there was someplace to goto other than the pusher joints,using places ,copstations and hospitals !!!

In five years of being in AA an doing service for that Fellowship  i saw some other addicts come to AA and recover.Also started was an informal NA meeting called the International Hope Group with the suggestions from other recovering people !!!

But all of us addicts decided that   regular scheduled NA meetings in a formal group were a must because we felt that that many addicts  couldnt identify with the alcoholic in AA and addict needed a place to share recovery regulary and continously.

We were also lucky to have addicts with clean time from other areas and countries pass thru Bangalore and share with us in informal meetings !!! This was the first instances of my personal experience of a live message of how it works in NA !!!

Not to be deterred by initial setbacks,, the NA Fellowship has grown today to 10 meetings a week ,Area Service committee, regular representation at RSC and quite a few members with many years clean time. weve had a few Conventions and also hosted the WorldWide Workshop on recovery and service of which i was  honoured to be chairman. Very Higher Powered !!!

In the meanwhile my own life and recovery have seen many different scenes,,, I was a young man then with really no idea what to do in life,,, this day at 45 I can say my life is gratified and NA has given me vision to do something with my recovery. ive raised a family,been thru a divorce and am now single parent to my 11 year old daughter. great experience ! Ive seen the property left to me and my younger brother by our father become a big asset which could ensure me freedom from economic fears.a great strenght !!! Ive got back into my chosen callin of music and am really well appreciated as a saxophonist,singer and entertainer in  my city. I have a distiction of having done about 500 shows since i got back to music about 6 years ago. Ive had the luck to study and become very qualified in management and events,including a post graduation.My hobby of billiards and walking are looking better each year as is occasional watch and clock repair and restoration.

 But let me quickly add that the most important thing in my life still is staying clean and then serene. i believe being clean makes me serene and staying serene keeps me clean. and the  most important thing I learnt from my first sponsor is still true today=  I will not let problems of money ,property and prestige divert me from my primary purpose. So help me God and keep Guiding me in that direction !!!

Im also lucky that my desire to serve the Fellowship has found form in one way or another. Thers always been something that needs to be done that I could do and the rewards of that has been total self esteem. Praying and Meditating on a daily basis has seen me evolve from a frightened individual to a courageous,confident and realistic recovering addict.

And when id got into the rehab,, i was on lot of smack,downers and had also done lots of lsd,grass,alochol and was well and truly addicted. it was in that centre that i first felt a sense of kinship with other addicted people and also the healing power of fellowship.

Writing the Step Foura sponsor as guide has been the turning point. And later trying to live in the Step Tradition  daily  has become a reality,,, remember the Basic Text says that the Steps are the solution to addiction, a deadly,cunning disease. Im also luck to have a very good sponsor still , Im greatful to sponsor a few too !!!

im fortunate that ive been able to make amends to many,, most importantly my father and mother who id harmed not only in my usings time but also in recovery. When my dad died about 5 years ago he had the satisfaction of seeing me pass from active addiction and insanity to a responsible and productive member of society.

Id like to close by saying that as of now,, as it has been for many years now and hope will last me a lifetime, I love to live and live to love the NA WAY!!!!! My hope is that i stay clean and serene in the 12 Step Tradition of Narcotics Anonymous for the rest of my life,just for today !!! Hope you will feel that way too,if you arent already feeling so!!!

Cyber hugs and best wishes to each and every one of you, may you also have life long recovery,,, on a daily basis, and also a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous,clean and serene NEW YEAR TOO !!! God bless you all wherever you maybe !!!

From Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in the NA WAY !!!

-- Edited by Raman at 16:51, 2006-12-21

-- Edited by Raman at 17:31, 2006-12-21

Just AWESOME Raman proud to be here with you, thanks for sharing truly you have been deeply blessed I felt the spirit in your writing just now, you are the Miracle, thankyou.