Freedom from Shame ( through self-acceptance)

 

October 26

The path to self-acceptance

“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.” IP No. 19, 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.

 

Copyright © 1991-2013 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Principles before Personalities

October 25

Principles before personalities

“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” Tradition Twelve ––––=–––– “Principles before personalities.”  Many of us chant these words along with the reader whenever the Twelve Traditions are read.  The fact that these words have become a cliche of sorts doesn’t make them any less important, either in service or in our lives.  These words are an affirmation:  “We listen to our conscience and do what’s right, no matter who’s involved.”  And that principle serves as one of the cornerstones of recovery as well as our traditions. What does “principles before personalities” really mean?  It means we practice honesty, humility, compassion, tolerance, and patience with everyone, whether we like them or not.  Putting principles before personalities teaches us to treat everyone equally.  The Twelfth Step asks us to apply principles in allour affairs; the Twelfth Tradition suggests we apply them to our relations with everyone. Practicing principles doesn’t stop with our friends or when we leave a meeting.  It’s for every day, for everyone… in all areas of our lives. ––––=–––– Just for today:  I will listen to my conscience and do what’s right.  My focus will be on principles, not on people’s personalities.

 

Copyright © 1991-2013 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Righ