If, after a period of time, we find ourselves in trouble with our recovery, we have probably stopped doing one or more of the things that helped us in the earlier stages of our recovery.
Basic Text, p. 95
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Surrender is just for newcomers, right? Wrong!
After we've been around awhile, some of us succumb to a condition particular to oldtimers. We think we know something about recovery, about God, about NA, about ourselves and we do. The problem is, we think we know enough, and we think that merely knowing is enough. But its what we learn and what we do after we think we know it all that really makes the difference.
Conceit and complacency can land us in deep trouble. When we find that applying the principles on our own power just isn't working, we can practice what worked for us in the beginning: surrender. When we find we are still powerless, our lives again unmanageable, we need to seek the care of a Power greater than ourselves. And when we discover that self-therapy isn't so therapeutic after all, we need to take advantage of the therapeutic value of one addict helping another.
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Just for today: I need guidance, support, and a Power beyond my own. I will go to a meeting, reach out to a newcomer, call my sponsor, pray to my Higher PowerI will do something that says, I surrender.
-- Edited by Dave R on Monday 21st of July 2014 06:35:04 AM
The time will come when you think you know something about HP. You may be right or you may be wrong. Fortunately, there's a litmus test for this sort of thing. You'll know you've truly heard the voice of HP, when it's the only sound you ever want to hear and you devote all your energy to hearing it again. If you find it impossible to get complacent about reaching for the sound of your HP's voice again, then you know you've truly heard it.
Thanks Dave, I got a lot out of this. Just celebrated 11 years for the second time and life is fairly chaotic right now. Thanks for putting more good stuff in my head. :)
Thanks Dave, I got a lot out of this. Just celebrated 11 years for the second time and life is fairly chaotic right now. Thanks for putting more good stuff in my head. :)
....wow,,congratulations on 11 years Sarah,,,,,,and welcome to the NA message board!!
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...gawd,,,please don't let me -ever- forget why I came here in the first place!!(my 'senility' prayer)
