"The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery."
IP No. 19, Self-Acceptance
Most of us came to Narcotics Anonymous without much self-acceptance. We looked at the havoc we had wreaked in our active addiction, and we loathed ourselves. We had difficulty accepting our past and the self-image produced by it.
Self-acceptance comes more quickly when we first accept that we have a disease calledaddiction, because it's easier to accept ourselves as sick people than as bad people. And the easier it is to accept ourselves, the easier it becomes to accept responsibility for ourselves.
We achieve self-acceptance through the process of ongoing recovery. Working the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous teaches us to accept ourselves and our lives. Spiritual principles like surrender, honesty, faith, and humility help relieve us of the burden of our past mistakes. Our attitude changes with the application of these principles in our daily lives. Self-acceptance grows as we grow in recovery.
Just for Today: Self-acceptance is a process set in motion by the Twelve Steps. Today, I will trust the process, practice the steps, and learn to better accept myself.
Self loathing is a feeling I lived with for most of life. I didn't realize it untill I came to the rooms. Self acceptance is a process for me. I have come far in accepting myself for who I am now, and not dwelling on the past mistakes, but there is still a long way to go. There are two IP's that address these issues really well, and have helped me alot. The first is "The triangle of self obsession" and the second is "self acceptance" I was told to read these pamphlets every day when I first came around. I encourage all who haven't done so to get them and read them daily for a couple of weeks. I love this journey of recovery. It gets scary sometimes. There is no scarier thing than addressing the fears that lurk in your own mind. But the rewards are great. Happy, joyous, and free is not just a slogan.
okay, i just want to say that we have a thinking disease, and it is also a process to remember that daily. Actions and prayer for God's will makes us get out of that self-hatred and hatred of others. I will be pickin up those IP's tonite at a meeting, thanks for mentioning them.
