"We sit down with a notebook, ask for guidance, pick up our pen, and start writing."
Basic Text, p. 30
When we're confused or in pain, our sponsor sometimes tells us to "write about it." Though we may groan as we drag out the notebook, we know that it will help. By laying it all out on paper, we give ourselves the chance to sort through what's bothering us. We know we can get to the bottom of our confusion and find out what's really causing our pain when we put the pen to the paper.
Writing can be rewarding, especially when working through the steps. Many members maintain a daily journal. Simply thinking about the steps, pondering their meaning, and analyzing their effect is not sufficient for most of us. There's something about the physical action of writing that helps to fix the principles of recovery in our minds and hearts.
The rewards we find through the simple action of writing are many. Clarity of thought, keys to locked places inside of us, and the voice of conscience are but a few. Writing helps us be more honest with ourselves. We sit down, quiet our thoughts, and listen to our hearts. What we hear in the stillness are the truths that we put down on paper.
Just for Today: One of the ways I can search for truth in recovery is to write. I will write about my recovery today.
I'm writing a fourth step. talk about keys to the locked places inside us! I'm uncovering memories and emotions long forgotten It's a roller coaster ride, but by doing this I uncover truths about myself that will lead to recovery.
Way to go Don, big part for me was making sure I wasn;t thinking about 5th step when I went inside,may have kept me from getting "fearless"(afraid of shedding light on my demons but knowing God is with me)FREE YOURSELF..Your in my prayers my friend! Don't forget your assets,such as carrying the NA message of recovery to others unselfishly for one!!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I can relate with avid, in the last few days I've been helping another member through their Fourth, and when I had to share something that could help the other member understand what's being asked in a particular question, surprisingly, many long-forgotten experiences and incidents that I've never before recollected, started coming out, as if they were lying dormant and hidden, stuck in some part of my mind, suddenly emerging forth...
I was amazed, and I really felt so glad that I could get back these forgotten memories, these incidents that came out of my sharing as they revealed a lot more to me...