There is a special feeling for addicts when they discover that there are other people who share their difficulties, past and present.
Basic Text, pp. 55-56
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The wealth of our recovery is too good to keep to ourselves. Some of us believe that when we talk in meetings, we should remember the newcomer and always try and carry a positive message. But sometimes the most positive message we can carry is that we are going through difficult times in our recovery and are staying clean in spite of them!
Yes, its gratifying to send out a strong message of hope to our newer members. After all, no one likes a whiner. But distressing things happen, and life on lifes terms can send shock waves even through the recovery of long-time members of Narcotics Anonymous. If we are equipped with the tools of the program, we can walk through such turmoil and stay clean to tell the tale.
Recovery doesnt happen all at once; it is an ongoing process, sometimes a struggle. When we dilute the fullness of our message by neglecting to share about the tough times we may walk through on our journey, we fail to allow newcomers the chance to see that they, too, can stay clean, no matter what. If we share the full message of our recovery, we may not know who benefits, but we can be sure someone will.
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Just for today: I will honestly share both the good times and the difficult times of my recovery. I will remember that my experience in walking through adversity may benefit another member.
There is a difference between whining and sharing your experiences with difficulties. I try not to whine and complain at meeting when I am going through a tough time, but to share what's happening with me and how I am using (or can use) the steps and other tools of the program to get through it.
going through a tough time without using is huge. This ties in with one of the greatest lessons recovery has taught me. That feeling good about myself is more important than feeling good. It's simple really. I can take a drug to make me feel good....right now. But if instead of doing that i use the tools of the program to get through the difficulty i will feel better in the long run. I will feel about myself and that matters more to me today.
