1)How have you gotten to know yourself better since you have been in recovery?

A-I’ve gotten to know how I am spiritually built with all the 4th steps that I have done.

Now its just seeing how I act under pressure.

2)What is your favorite step?And why is it your favorite step?

A-It all has to start with step 1.In step one we have to surrender.The dictionary definition of admit is to confess,accept and to acknowledge to be true.So that’s the spiritual stand point of humility I have to reach to grow spiritually.

3)What has your sponsor(s) given you that have helped you the most?

A-Each one has taught me more about finding me underneath all those defects.I have had 2 that were well known,but even the ones that weren’t got me to see the real me.The last two where very big in our literature.They where awesome in knowing me,and calling me on my bs,but where still there for me.One died a year after I had the stroke that almost killed me.The new one was out of the same sponsorship family.It is cool to know that out of the basic text,and the white book,that through sponsorship,I am kin to them all.My first na sponsor got me to work the 12 steps,and there matching tradition by the time I got my 18 month keytag.The traditions are the other principles,and we need to understand them.This was in the time before step guides.He did write some good worksheets later on.They have been called ‘The classic N.A. Stepguides’ and are still realy popular today.The other sponsor was the editor of the basic text.We communicate weekly,or more when the stuff hits the fan.

4)What has service taught you?

A-Not to get emotionally involved with outcomes. It can be hard,but the more I do it,and detach from the situations the easier it is in the long run.

5)What things that you saw or heard in early recovery that you don’t see enough of today?

A-The willingness that early NA members had. Sometimes we had to drive many miles to make a NA meeting rather than trying to fit in somewhere else.I only have one disease,so I only do one fellowship.And thanks to my sponsors, and predecessors I have been shown this way of life.Don’t get me wrong,I  am grateful to other fellowships.I just know that we took all we needed from them in our steps.I respect there traditions,and wouldn’t want to dilute there message,like I wouldn’t want them diluting ours.I mean in na we have the finished product.Why cut it with outside substances.There is no gram like the na program…But na works.World wide.It isn’t a North American thing.It is worldwide.

6)what things have helped you the most in recovery?

A_I would have to say sponsorship.In early recovery I was one out of a few folks clean in Mississipi.Our sponsorship family had 4 weekend campouts with people from three states.I do the same things with my sponsorship family now where we share secrets and work on real issues that keep men apart.Our get   togethers are cheap as well.We talk about steps,traditions,and mens issues.

7)Besides sticking to the basics,what themes do you see in your recovery today that you are learning from?

A_Besides the stroke,which realy had me rearranging my life,the ability to greive.

As addicts we are good escape artists.But gradually all those old feelings come back.

But as an addict,I know that we can go overboard with things.I don’t want to get obsessed with it.But the information we get on grieving,just like everything else,we have to examine.We need to see if it is spiritually healthy.But truly expearencing real grief and letting it go can be awesome.And I truly believe that we can truly help each other in so many ways that shrinks,church,and outside agencies ever could.

I truly love being an na member.All the things we do,whether approved by World Services or not is to activate our Fifth Tradition.To help the addict who still suffers.

It could be me.

Or you