Hi Tahir,,,

the Convention was great.

It was a new experience for me to drive tow newcomers about 1000 km.

Then when we reached on the second day we got a warm welcome.

Later I participated in a 10th Step Workshop.

Then came some music playing and jamming with another addict from Bangalore and one from Poona.

Next morning I was asked to share about

NEWCOMERS, WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO !!!

I tried to be as honest as I could and stick with my own experience and shre about what works for me.

In a nutshell I said the three most important things as i see it is=

1.Carry the message and not the addict

2.No 13th Stepping

3.I dont charge for carrying the message.

I was relieved that my 30 minutes was flowing and i was on a good break !!!

Lots of Felowship followed.

there was a bonfire meeting that was very mystical, late nite jamming on kawalis and old hindi songs was a new experience,

talking with newer members and olders ones answered many unanswered questions,

we had a great countdown and a farewell that left me in tears for the old friends Id renewed contact with as well as the new friends i made.

Most imposrtantly i was able to spend time one on one

with a few addicts too,,,one of em made me his sponsor.

then we were hosted by an old friend of mine in recovery.

Id asked one newcomer who was with me to talk to him,,,later I learnt that he had also wiorked 12 Steps with him,,,

12 Steps in 6 hours??? I cant believe it !!!!!

On the way back we went thur Goa and had another great experience driving those roads and sharing recovery with each other !!

However two of us were still energetic whereas one of us was slowibng down and was waiting to get back home.

We did some sight seeing,had an adventure on the beach,stayed away from "old places",,,, and i was able to do some gainful shopping too,,, both in Bombay and Goa !!

The ride back ws also great,,,,

alll in all 7 days and nites,,, over about 2000 miles done,went thru three different states, met about 300 recovering addicts and had a lot of great experience,,,,we stuck together thru it all....

no wonder nothing works like

""""TRIED TO CARRY THIS MESSAGE """" 

GGod Bless these two young addicts,,, and alll other NA members we met,,, wherever they may now be ,,, hope they are enjoying their recovery !!!

Just for today !!!!!

God Bless you too Tahir !!!