June 26

Surrendering self-will

Our fears are lessened and faith begins to grow as we learn the true meaning of surrender.  We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression.

Basic Text, p. 27

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Surrender is the beginning of a new way of life.  When driven primarily by self-will, we constantly wondered whether wed co…[Read more]

May 18

Friends and amendskeeping it simple

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step Nine

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In every relationship, we dont always handle things the way we would have hoped.  But friendships dont have to end when we make mistakes; instead, we can make amends.  If we are si…[Read more]

May 12

Living with spiritual experiences

For meditation to be of value, the results must show in our daily lives.

Basic Text, p. 47

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In working our program, we are given many indirect indications of a Higher Powers presence in our lives: the clean feeling that comes to so many of us in taking our Fifth Step; the sense that we are f…[Read more]

May 4

What about the newcomer?

Each group has but one primary purposeto carry the message to the addict who still suffers.

Tradition Five

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Our home group means a lot to us. After all, where would we be without our favorite NA meeting? Our group sometimes sponsors picnics or other activities. Often, home group members get together to…[Read more]

April 27

Recognizing and releasing resentments

We want to look our past in the face, see it for what it really was, and release it so we can live today.

Basic Text, p. 29

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Many of us had trouble identifying our resentments when we were new in recovery.  There we sat with our Fourth Step in front of us, thinking and thinking, finally de…[Read more]

April 13

People-pleasing

…approval-seeking behavior carried us further into our addiction….

Basic Text, p. 14

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When others approve of what we do or say, we feel good; when they disapprove, we feel bad. Their opinions of us, and how those opinions make us feel, can have positive value. By making us feel good about steering a…[Read more]

April 10

Too busy

We must use what we learn or we will lose it, no matter how long we have been clean.

Basic Text, p. 85

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After putting some clean time together, some of us have a tendency to forget what our most important priority is. Once a week or less we say, Ive gotta get to a meeting tonight. Its been… Weve been caught up in…[Read more]

March 24

Letting go of the past

It is not where we were that counts, but where we are going.

Basic Text, p. 23

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When we first find recovery, some of us feel shame or despair at calling ourselves addicts.  In the early days, we may be filled with both fear and hope as we struggle to find new meaning in our lives.  The past may seem ine…[Read more]

February 10

Fun!

In recovery, our ideas of fun change.

Basic Text, p. 107

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In retrospect, many of us realize that when we used, our ideas of fun were rather bizarre.  Some of us would get dressed up and head for the local club.  We would dance, drink, and do drugs until the sun rose.  On more than one occasion, gun battles broke out.…[Read more]

February 6

I cantwe can

We had convinced ourselves that we could make it alone and proceeded to live life on that basis.  The results were disastrous and, in the end, each of us had to admit that self-sufficiency was a lie.

Basic Text, p. 62

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I cant, but we can.  This simple but profound truth applies initially to our first need as NA…[Read more]

January 11

Faith

As we develop faith in our daily lives, we find that our Higher Power supplies us with the strength and guidance that we need.

Basic Text, p. 94

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Some of us come into recovery very frightened and insecure. We feel weak and alone. We are uncertain of our direction and dont know where to go for answers. We are told that…[Read more]

January 10

Gratitude

Im very grateful to have come to believe.

IP No. 21, The Loner

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Belief in a Higher Power can make all the difference when the going gets tough! When things dont go our way in recovery, our sponsor may direct us to make a gratitude list. When we do, we should include our faith in a Power greater than ourselves on…[Read more]

January 5

Recovery at home

We can enjoy our families in a new way and may become a credit to them instead of an embarrassment or a burden.

Basic Text, p. 104

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Were doing great in recovery, arent we? We go to a meeting every day, we spend every evening with our friends in the fellowship, and every weekend we dash off to a service…[Read more]

December 28

Depression

We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression.

Basic Text, p. 27

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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 cant afford to let depr…[Read more]

December 15

The joy of sharing

There is a spiritual principle of giving away what we have been given in Narcotics Anonymous in order to keep it.  By helping others to stay clean, we enjoy the benefit of the spiritual wealth that we have found.

Basic Text, p. 49

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Time and again in our recovery, others have freely shared with us what wa…[Read more]