Why do service work?
                   How can service work advance my recovery?

People get involved in service work for many different reasons. Some do
it because they want to control what is going on in their sphere within
CoDA. Others do it because they think that they are the only one who
knows what is best for CoDA. Some do it because they feel guilty if they
don't contribute. And some actually do it for selfless reasons - because
they truly want to contribute to the Fellowship so that more and more
codependents can find their way to their own recovery.

Some avoid service work because they are tired of doing so much and
don't know how to set appropriate boundaries. Others avoid service work
because they have given so much in their life without feeling
appreciated or recognized for what they have given. Some say no because
they are just learning how to say no and want to practice. There are
probably lots of other reasons why people choose either to do or not to
do service work.

Service work puts us in a space where, from the start, it is no longer
easy to exert our own will because we are working with others. It gives
us the opportunity to notice when we are exerting our own will, and to
practice letting go and trusting in a Higher Power. It is a visible,
tangible, undeniable declaration of our desire to put recovery on the
fast track.

One of the things that make service work particularly challenging is
that not all people who do service work are willing or able to confront
and work through their own issues. As a result there are times that
doing service work can be really trying. This gives us another truly
valuable opportunity to work our program - it gives us the opportunity
to learn to accept others as they are and to find serenity even when
circumstances are frustrating.

Service work is NOT about being in control. It is actually about
realizing that we are NOT in control and learning how to function
without the need for control, while also learning to truly trust that
our Higher Power knows and wants what is best for us and for CoDA.
Service work IS about being open to new opportunities while also
learning how to set and enforce boundaries in a healthy and loving way.
It gives us a forum in which to determine what our boundaries really are
in a safer environment than most of us are used to.

Doug P. (2010)    ....................

 

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