May 26
Today I know that I am being guided and protected
by a power greater than myself.
I look forward to the unknown
around the next bend in the road,
the adventure over the next hill.
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Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.
Native American Proverb
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What Is The NA Program (NA Basic Text)
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When we discovered that we cannot live with or without drugs, we
sought help through N.A. rather than prolong our suffering. The
Program works a miracle in our lives. We become different people. The
steps and abstinence give us a daily reprieve from our self-imposed
life sentences. We become free to live.
We want the place where we recover to be a safe place, free from
outside influences. For the protection of the fellowship, we insist
that no drugs or paraphernalia be brought to any meeting.
We feel totally free to express ourselves within the fellowship,
because no law enforcement agencies are involved. Our meetings have an
atmosphere of empathy. In accordance with the principles of recovery,
we try not to judge, stereotype or moralize with each other. We are
not recruited and it doesn't cost anything. N.A. does not provide
counseling or social services.
Our meetings are a process of identification, hope and sharing. The
heart of N.A. beats when two addicts share their recovery. What we do
becomes real for us when we share it. This happens on a larger scale
in our regular meetings. A meeting is two or more addicts gathered
together to help each other stay clean.
At the beginning of the meeting, we read N.A. literature which is
available to anyone. Some meetings have speakers, topic discussions or
both. Closed meetings are for addicts or those who think they might
have a drug problem; open meetings welcome anyone wishing to
experience our Fellowship. The atmosphere of recovery is protected by
our Twelve Traditions. We are fully self-supporting through voluntary
contributions from our members. Regardless of where the meeting takes
place, we remain unaffiliated. Meetings provide us with a place to be
with fellow addicts. All we need are two addicts, caring and sharing,
to make a meeting.
We let new ideas flow into us. We ask questions. We share what we have
learned about living without drugs. Though the principles of the
Twelve Steps may seem strange to us at first, the most important thing
about them is that they work. Our Program is, in fact, a way of life.
We learn the value of such spiritual principles as surrender, humility
and service from reading the N.A. literature, going to meetings, and
working the steps. We find that our lives steadily improve, if we
maintain abstinence from mind-altering, mood-changing chemicals and
work the Twelve Steps to sustain our recovery. Living this Program
gives us a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves, corrects
defects, leads us to help others, and where there has been wrong,
teaches us the spirit of forgiveness.
Many books have been written about the nature of addiction. This book
concerns itself with the nature of recovery. If you are an addict and
have found this book, please give yourself a break and read it.
*(note)How often are you studying your basic text with others in NA?*
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Twins
When the soul is yeaning for nourishment
it goes looking for its twin
even in the conscious ways of the psyche
may not even be an awareness thing
The mind has been trained to live to the left
of the world's conditioning
goes about its business, though the soul's bereft
and some call it making a living
As in dreams where the road is so long
the traveller sad, tired, and weary
the soul nevertheless hears her own song
still seeking, yearns for symmetry
The search takes flight, has a life of its own
may take years may take a lifetime
but the depth of soul seeking her home
is a force that won't be denied
When fire meets fire, there is but one flame
the search is fruitful, filling the hunger
a healing of souls, a meeting of the same
familiar hearts as one beating together
may you find yours
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Today's Thought
MAY 26
Gossip
Intimacy is that warm gift of feeling connected to others and enjoying our
connection to them.
As we grow in recovery, we find that gift in many, sometimes surprising,
places. We may discover we've developed intimate relationships with people
at work, with friends, with people in our support groups -- sometimes with
family members. Many of us are discovering intimacy in a special love
relationship.
Intimacy is not sex, although sex can be intimate. Intimacy means mutually
honest, warm, caring, safe relationships -- relationships where the other
person can be who he or she is and we can be who we are -- and both people
are valued.
Sometimes there are conflicts. Conflict is inevitable. Sometimes there are
troublesome feelings to work through. Sometimes the boundaries or
parameters
of relationships change. But there is a bond -- one of love and trust.
There are many blocks to intimacy and intimate relationships.
Addictions and
abuse block intimacy. Unresolved family of origin issues prevent intimacy.
Controlling blocks intimacy. Off balance relationships, where there is too
great a discrepancy in power, prevent intimacy. Caretaking can block
intimacy. Nagging, withdrawing, and shutting down can hurt intimacy.
So can
a simple behavior like gossip -- for example, gossiping about another for
motives of diminishing him or her in order to build up ourselves or to
judge
the person. To discuss another person's issues, shortcomings, or failures
with someone else will have a predictable negative impact on the
relationship.
We deserve to enjoy intimacy in as many of our relationships as
possible. We
deserve relationships that have not been sabotaged. That does not mean we
walk around with our heads in the clouds; it means we strive to keep our
motives clean when it comes to discussing other people.
If we have a serious issue with someone, the best way to resolve it is to
bring the issue to that person.
Direct, clean conversation clears the air and paves the way for intimacy,
for good feelings about ourselves and our relationships with others.
Today, God, help me let go of my fear of intimacy. Help me strive to
keep my
communications with others clean and free from malicious gossip. Help me
work toward intimacy in my relationships. Help me deal as directly as
possible with my feelings.
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
Native American Proverb
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Faith will move a mountain,
but you have to bring a shovel.
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We keep what we have by giving it away - what are you giving away and why?
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