The Basic Text 6th Edition does say on page 22 (open it in pdf format and search the word change, you'll find example after example of ways change is discussed...:
We have found that we had no choice except to completely
change our old ways of thinking or go back to using.
When we give our best, it works for us as it has worked for others. When
we could no longer stand our old ways, we began to change.
From that point forward, we began to see that every clean day is
a successful day, no matter what happens. Surrender means not
having to fight anymore. We accept our addiction and life the
way it is. We become willing to do whatever is necessary to stay
clean, even the things we dont like doing.
-- Edited by Mike M on Tuesday 5th of March 2013 01:30:37 AM
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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
I also am not much on "this to be Gospel" as we have a program of suggestions..In How it works,5th edition,it does say'WE have no choice but to completely change our old ways of thinking or go back to using" I believe change is a life long process that takes above all guidance from our Higher Powers in instilling in the application of spiritual principles in all areas of our lives.WE remain clean ,loose the insanity of our unmanageability 2nd part of our 1st step and move forward.Some of my old ways of thinking included helping others even in the"grip" loving my children(though it was evident I was doing poor job while in the grip and some assets I had before and after my recovery began... I do believe we must change our ways of thinking from using but by keeping on top of my guidance by God and spiritual principles every day dont mean im gonna pick up again...As a human I fall often,but I don't pick up,I think crap thoughts,but I don't pick up I work on changing my thinking but sometimes I just work out with God and my principles and find a way that keeps me from using and adjusting my thought patterns. There comes a time when we don't know exactly when it happened but it did,,the real miracle 'WE LOST THE DESIRE TO USE"....This is my stuff but I hear a lot of things that I may be able to use and leave the rest until another time of maybe not ever.. My stuff......
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
OK, it's there. Well, he may have misquoted but the essential meaning is there so I will concede. Problem for is this. I know alot of people who have stopped using drugs for many years. But I'm not sure I know anyone who has "completely changed their way of thinking" I mean really ....complete change? Guess I need to give this some more thought. Thanks
OK, it's there. Well, he may have misquoted but the essential meaning is there so I will concede. Problem for is this. I know alot of people who have stopped using drugs for many years. But I'm not sure I know anyone who has "completely changed their way of thinking" I mean really ....complete change? Guess I need to give this some more thought. Thanks
I am an addict today and always. Change comes over time layer upon layer precept upon precept. I'll be growing and and changing until the day I die. Nowhere does the Basic Text say if we don't change everything today, NOW, we'll be loaded tomorrow! Change and willingness to change is a continual process not one and done. 32 years worth of change Clean and the rest of my life to go.
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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
Change for me has been gradual. A Step by Step thing. Always in degrees. And never an absoulte, radical transformation like we hear of saints, mystics etc.
It's like if i was angry 100 times in the year 2011 but only 60 times in the year 2012, then Ive changed. My perceptions and inner motivations change. My thoughts have been altered and my feelings make sense ! My actions are true !
And the only thing that never changes is change itself..........and I choose a change for the better. Complacency is the number one enemy of members with some clean time and I have found that to be true. At that point, change is certainly a necessity...... if i dont conciously go towards a change for the better, then I will backslide into a change for the worse.
Ive experienced that recovery is never static or based on status; it is ever going forward. Forward, outward and upward is the route I love to take.
And thank God it is like that !
-- Edited by Raman on Wednesday 6th of March 2013 01:53:46 AM
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
I guess I was reacting to the word "completely". I know we grow and change. Certainly I have become more spiritually focused. But complete change? I dunno. I know many people who have been clean 10 years or more, yet they still have character defects. In some cases SERIOUS character defects that are long standing. Our basic text is usually not so certain about things. I guess that's why the guy zeroed in on it. The problem for me is that I just don't believe it. We need to change. Yes, absolutely. But complete change of how we think is a tall order. Few can accomplish it. If that is what it took to stay clean, I don't think there would be many clean addicts out there. I don't want to obsess over this. It says what it says and thats what it says. I just hate it when, in my heart, I know I don't agree with what our basic text says.
