We are grateful that we were made so welcome at meetings that we felt comfortable.
Basic Text, p. 83
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Remember how scared we were when we walked into our first NA meeting? Even if we walked in with a friend, most of us recall how difficult it was to attend that first meeting. What was it that kept us coming back? Most of us have grateful memories of the welcome we were given and how comfortable that made us feel. When we raised our hand as a newcomer, we opened the door for other members to approach us and welcome us.
Sometimes the difference between those addicts who walk back out the door of their first meeting, never to return to NA, and the addicts who stay to seek recovery is the simple hug of an NA member. When we have been clean awhile, its easy to step back from the procession of newcomersafter all, weve seen so many people come and go. But members with some clean time can make the difference between the addict who doesnt return and the addict who keeps coming back. By offering our phone numbers, a hug, or just a warm welcome, we extend the hand of Narcotics Anonymous to the addict who still suffers.
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Just for today: I remember the welcome I was given when I first came to NA. Today, I will express my gratitude by offering a hug to a newcomer.
Yesterday I finally got to go to my first real NA meeting in almost 4 months. I have been to one AA and one NA one in 4 months. I cant go too much because i have a 5 year old son. I felt really welcome there and could relate to so much. I had it all planned out what I was going to share in there, but when it came down to it, I got too nervous to share. Maybe if i went to more real meetings, I would be less nervous about sharing. Also I think its time for me to buy the books and find a sponsor. Thank you guys again for being here - almost four months is not all that much time to be clean, but i could not have done it without you guys...thank you so much !!
I've never been a social butterfly, not a touchy feely person, but rather always felt as an outsider in about any situation. Drugs were my equalizer. Even with 30 years Clean sometimes feel "different". I have to make a continual conscience effort to keep my walls down and be approachable. And not just be approachable, but make the effort to extend my hand or hug first.
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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
