Friends
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December 28 Depression “We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression.” Basic Text, p. 27 ––––=–––– As addicts, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We can’t afford to let depression lead us back to using. Instead, we try to go about the routine of our lives. We make meeting attendance and contact with our sponsor top priorities. Sharing with others about our feelings may let us know we aren’t the only ones who have been depressed in recovery. Working with a newcomer can work wonders for our own state of mind. And, most importantly, prayer and meditation can help us tap the power we need to survive depression. We practice acceptance and remember that feelings like depression will unquestionably pass in time. Rather than struggle with our feelings, we accept them and ask for the strength to walk through them. ––––=–––– Just for today: I accept that my feelings of depression won’t last forever. I will talk openly about my feelings with my sponsor or another person who understands. -
The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences* which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God’s universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous (p. 25). -
Did government control lead to an opioid crisis? In this interview we hear from Addiction Expert and Stepworks Recovery Centers Founder, Dr. Tom Ingram. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BCoT0SP9Zs&t=5s -
Wednesday, September 8 Thought for the Day Another of the mottoes of A.A. is "But for the Grace of God." Once we have fully accepted the program we become humble about our achievement. We do not take too much credit for our sobriety. When we see another suffering alcoholic in the throes of alcoholism, we say to ourselves: "But for the grace of God, there go I." We do not forget the kind of people we were. We remember those we left behind us. And we are very grateful to the grace of God, which has given us another chance. Am I truly grateful for the grace of God? Meditation for the Day A consciousness of God's presence as One who loves you makes all life different. The consciousness of God's love promotes the opening of your whole being to God. It brings wonderful relief from the cares and worries of our daily lives. Relief brings peace and peace brings contentment. Try to walk in God's love. You will have that peace which passes all understanding and a contentment that no one can take from you. Feel sure of God's unfailing love and care for you and for all His children. There is freedom and serenity in those who walk in God's love, held safe in His loving care. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may walk in God's love. I pray that, as I go, I may feel the spring of God's power in my steps and the joy of His love in my heart. -
January 24 From isolation to connection Our disease isolated us... Hostile, resentful, self-centered, and self-seeking, we cut ourselves off from the outside world. Basic Text, p. 4 = Addiction is an isolating disease, closing us off from society, family, and self. We hid. We lied. We scorned the lives we saw others living, surely beyond our grasp. Worst of all, we told ourselves there was nothing wrong with us, even though we knew we were desperately ill. Our connection with the world, and with reality itself, was severed. Our lives lost meaning, and we withdrew further and further from reality. The NA program is designed especially for people like us. It helps reconnect us to the life we were meant to live, drawing us out of our isolation. We stop lying to ourselves about our condition; we admit our powerlessness and the unmanageability of our lives. We develop faith that our lives can improve, that recovery is possible, and that happiness is not permanently beyond our grasp. We get honest; we stop hiding; we show up and tell the truth, no matter what. And as we do, we establish the ties that connect our individual lives to the larger life around us. We addicts need not live lives of isolation. The Twelve Steps can restore our connection to life and livingif we work them. = Just for today: I am a part of the life around me. I will practice my program to strengthen my connection to my world. Copyright 1991-2016 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved -
Things have been going great. Sticking with my IOP, got a sponsor and he's actually having me help co-chair this evening. Meetings every night and staying involved! -
I’ve been going through a lot mentally. Tears are a new thing for me. Today I get to see my youngest daughter for the first time in like a year and I have a chance to bring her home. I’m so terrified I’m bawling my eyes out about how this visit might go.
