The Light of Exposure

[caressa]

"These defects grow in the dark and die in the light of exposure."

NA Basic Text p. 31

The Fifth Step asks us to share our true nature with God, with ourselves, and with another human being. It doesn't encourage us to tell everyone every little secret about ourselves. It doesn't ask us to disclose to the whole world every shameful or frightening thougt we've ever had. Step Five simply suggests that our secrets cause us more harm than good when we keep them completely to ourselves.

If we give in to our relcutance to reveal our true nature to even one human being, the secret side of our lives becomes more powerful. And when the secrets are in control, they drive a wedge between ourselves, our Higher Power, and the things we value most about our recovery.

When we share our secret selves in confidence with at least one human being-our sponsor, perhaps, or a close friend-this person usually doesn't reject us. We disclose ourselves to someone else and are rewarded with their acceptance. When this happens, we realize that honest sharing is not life-threatening; the secrets have lost their power over us.

Just for today: I can disarm the secrets in my life by shairng them with one human being.

Just For Today - NA Revised

[caressa]

For me, every day that I share on the boards, at a meeting and with my sponsor is doing a form of Steps 4 and 5. It is me, putting my thoughts into words and sharing them with others. By doing this, I heal and grow in awareness and acceptance.

[caressa]

Really need the program, just as much today as I did 19 years ago. Sometimes I think I will always be a newcomer, this is a one day at a time program. Very seldom does something new come up from my past, but there have been times when things have had to be re-visited.

I am only as sick as my secrets. When I look at things, I can see them in a new perspective now.

[majestyjo]

Still working the program after 28 years.