The Big Book of AA discusses living through the actions of others by saying that we can be anyplace if we have a legitimate reason for being there.  When I had 3 months, the Grateful Dead played their first show at Deer Creek.  I asked people in my program about this and was told that I need to be willing to go to any length for my recovery.  I continued to work my program, went to the show, did not use, hung with the Wharf Rats (GD version of Jellyfish) and had a great time.  Where I’m at today is that if I’m spiritually fit, I can go anywhere, and my addiction can’t harm me.  If I am not spiritually fit, there’s no place I can hide from my disease.  Listening to music and dancing are, in my opinion, legitimate reasons for me to be at a concert.  Whether they constitute legitimate reasons for you is between you, your sponsor and your HP. 

There is a great support system at these shows, traction in a slippery place, but for me personally, if I’m not living in my recovery, if I’m not going to any lengths, no amount of support, Jellyrats, yellow balloons and hugs will keep me from using.  On the other hand, it feels so cool to go someplace like the show at the Boulder Theater in December, do the show, hand out NAUGHTY and NICE stickers, get flashed by happy hippy chicks J,  see Jellyfish all around me, dance with friends, go to the meeting at the set break, have a great time, and not only not use, but not even feel like using.  That’s when it feels like my recovery has really come together, when the life I always wanted to live coincides with great new life I’ve found in recovery.  The Basic Text of NA says, “There is no model of the recovering addict.  When the drugs go and the addict works the program, wonderful things happen.  Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise.  Our willingness to grow spiritually keeps us buoyant.  When we take the actions indicated in the steps, the results are a change in our personality.  It is our actions that are important.  We leave the results to our Higher Power.”   This can and does happen, and we can get to a place where we’re at the shows, focusing on the music and having fun, and using becomes a non-issue.  It’s really up to you.

Hope this is helpful.

Dave R.

Englewood, CO

-----Original Message-----
From: thejellyfish@yahoogroups.com [mailto:thejellyfish@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of cbscijellyfish
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 4:13 PM
To: thejellyfish@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [thejellyfish] living licuriusly?

What are youre thoughts on the topic of going to shows are a way of
vicuriusly useing or going back to same old actions. i would love to
go to a show but i am deathly afraid of what could happen.