"The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery."
"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.
It was a beautiful reflection today, is it not? BigV, thanks for posting it, my friend... Glad that I could read it again at the end of the day. I had almost forgotten what it was that I read in the morning in today's Just For Today meditation... as I usually do...
__________________
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
Today I nearly did something I wqould have deeply regretted, I nearly punched out a friend over something he said that slammed me in the heart, instead I walked away I walked even while he was chasing after me, I did turn and give him a final warning and then I still walked away with pain so much in my heart it was hard not to kill him, then later I made emends realizing what he said wasn't meant the way I took it it wasn't meant to be detriment but that was how I percieved it.
I have to accept certain uncomfortable things that come my way that sometimes effect my emotions so deep, I have to accept that I am wrong sometimes about others intentions always thinking they are out to get me or hurt me isn't the reality of most situations, and even when they are I have to have self restraint against them.
And even if what he said is true, I have to accept that possibility also, which I would rather not share here , i'm not ready to get that honest in this venue.
Hey BigV, thanks for sharing that. I can relate so much. I know how difficult it is not to act out on our anger in those situations... And not being able to accept myself as that forgiving, tolerant person who walks away instead of acting out and then making amends on top of that... Sometimes, the program really demands a level of spirituality from us that we addicts simply don't want to rise upto...
But after having taken the effort of doing exactly what the program asks us to, the feeling of peace, serenity and contentment always lures me into trying the program again, in similar circumstances, as I want to experience that calm and tranquillity again and again... maybe, just like I wanted to get high again and again... LOL...
I thought that working the steps would relieve me of all my defects and I would turn out into a saint when I was a newcomer. Today, I realize that the program of Twelve Steps is more about accepting ourselves as we are, with all our defects, weaknesses, vulnerability and humanness, so that, at long last, I'm able to do something about that part of me in my recovery... As long as I don't own, acknowledge and embrace myself as I am, I cannot change... Wishing away these defects and trying to portray myself as devoid of them has never helped me to change my ways... Only when I accept and own them, and acknowledging the fact that this is how I am, not in a self critical way, but in an accepting way, am I able to love myself back to the path of recovery...
__________________
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
BigV wrote: you guys bering sunshine on a cloudy day
And you are the rainbow that colors the sky between the sunshine and clouds..
Thank you too, BigV... Hugs and Love.
__________________
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
thanks bigv. i haven't been reading them lately.. i'll catch up tonight....thanks for reminding me how great they are....
