"The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery."
IP No.19, "Self-Acceptance"
Our addiction has been a source of shame to many of us. We have hidden ourselves from others, sure that if anyone got to know who we really were they would reject us. NA helps us learn self-acceptance.
Many of us find a great deal of relief just from attending meetings, hearing fellow addicts share their stories, and discovering that others have felt the same way we feel about ourselves. When others share honestly with us who they are, we feel free to do the same. As we learn to tell others the truth about ourselves, we learn to accept ourselves.
Self-disclosure, however, is only the beginning. Once we've shared the things that make us uncomfortable with our lives, we need to find a different way to live-and that's where the steps come in. We develop a concept of a Higher Power. We inventory our lives, in detail, and discuss our inventory with our sponsor. We ask the God of our understanding to remove our character defects, the shortcomings that are the source of our troubles. We take responsibility for the things we've done and make amends for them. And we incorporate all these disciplines into our daily lives, "practicing these principles in all our affairs."
By working the steps, we can become people we are proud to be. We can freely tell the truth about ourselves, for we have nothing to hide.
Just for today: I will walk the path to self-acceptance. I will show up, tell the truth, and work the steps.
Its incredible how we addicts ,,, wherever in the world we maybe from,,, have empathy,,, an understanding ,,, an intutive sense of what the other is feeling and going through !!!
I think this is whats called IDENTIFICATION.
Remember it says in the Basic Text
"COMPLETE AND CONTINOUS ABSTINENCE, IN CLOSE ASSOCIATION AND IDENTIFICATION WITH OTHERS IN NA GROUPS IS STILL THE BEST GROUND FOR GROWTH"
The one important thing i learnt is to place my recovery first,,, come pleasure or pain !!!
I am responsible for my feelings and my problems !!!
Im glad i had good guides,,, so i learnt that whenever i was feeling bad, sick, weird, etc,,, i had to look inward for the source of discomfort !!!
Like i was a fatty with a paunch when i cmae into rehab,,, luckily i got hooked on running,,,
i quickly became a non fatty,,, but the paunch does make a friendly appearance now and then.
And being in show biz,, this is not such a good thing,,, and though i dont run 6 miles anymore,,, i still do walk a bit and generally keep an active life,,, like steps instead of the elevator, walk to the shops rather than drive,,, lift my speaker systems when i can and such like,,,
Basically I have experienced that most of my bad feelings come from a sense of low self esteem and low self worth,,,,
the only way to feel better is to look outwards and do conciously,,, esteemable acts,,, this makes me feel better about myself.
Like it says
'WE CANNOT CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE ADDICT OR OF ADDICTION," ,,, buit we do recover by making those worthy acts a daily thing,, conciuosly,,, however without expecting anything in return !!!
In time you will do instinctive acts of generosity and sharing that will completely change your negative view of yourself,,,
This is how NA has made real to me,,,the promise of freedom from active addiction !!!
The 12 Steps are the starting point !!!
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
