When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter endsjails, institutions, or deathor find a new way to live.
Basic Text, p. 87
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What was the worst aspect of active addiction? For many of us, it wasnt the chance that we might die some day of our disease. The worst part was the living death we experienced every day, the never-ending meaninglessness of life. We felt like walking ghosts, not living, loving parts of the world around us.
In recovery, weve come to believe that were here for a reason: to love ourselves and to love others. In working the Twelve Steps, we have learned to accept ourselves. With that self-acceptance has come self-respect. We have seen that everything we do has an effect on others; we are a part of the lives of those around us, and they of ours. Weve begun to trust other people and to acknowledge our responsibility to them.
In recovery, weve come back to life. We maintain our new lives by contributing to the welfare of others and seeking each day to do that betterthats where the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Steps come in. The days of living like a ghost are past, but only so long as we actively seek to be healthy, loving, contributing parts of our own lives and the lives of others around us.
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Just for today: I have found a new way to live. Today, I will seek to serve others with love and to love myself.
NA has shown me a new way to live, and I am grateful for that. During my active addiction, I was not really living well. I was in a constant drug-induced daze, just drifting through life, not living it.
When I first found NA I didn't believe I deserved to Recover. I believed I was worthless, I was lower on the evolutionary scale than an amoeba, I was scum of the earth.
Going back out doesn't scare me as far as dying in concerned, I was a street survivor. No, going back out would mean be living in constant misery.
Through the Steps and Service Work constant feelings of worthlessness were gradually replaced by acceptance of my character defects and self worth. I believe Service Work is just as integral in Recovery as the Steps. The spiritual principle of selfless service to others reaps rewards beyond imagination. Today I no longer beat myself up when I fail perfection having learned that striving for perfection, to be the best I can be never ends. Perfection is unattainable, becoming the best who I am is a Journey not a Destination.
-- Edited by Mike M on Wednesday 22nd of December 2010 12:26:49 PM
-- Edited by Mike M on Wednesday 22nd of December 2010 12:30:00 PM
-- Edited by Mike M on Wednesday 22nd of December 2010 12:33:30 PM
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
The God of my understanding allowed me to be pulled from the muck and mire and helped place my feet on a solid rock,Narcotics Anonymous has shown me a new way to live always seeking the will of my Higher Power and putting spiritual principles into action in all my affairs, and though I stumble often I am able to pick myself up and move forward in God's grace. I am truly blessed and ever grateful!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
