Post by stickmonkey on Jun 29, 2007 11:09:03 GMT -5
June 29 ---------- Keeping recovery fresh
"Complacency is the enemy of members with substantial clean time. If
we remain complacent for long, the recovery process ceases."
Basic Text, p.80
After the first couple of years in recovery, most of us start to feel
like there are no more big deals. If we've been diligent in working
the steps, the past is largely resolved and we have a solid foundation
on which to build our future. We've learned to take life pretty much
as it comes. Familiarity with the steps allows us to resolve problems
almost as quickly as they arise.
Once we discover this level of comfort, we may tend to treat it as a
"rest stop" on the recovery path. Doing so, however, discounts the
nature of our disease. Addiction is patient, subtle, progressive, and
incurable. It's also fatal-we can die from this disease, unless we
continue to treat it. And the treatment for addiction is a vital,
ongoing program of recovery.
The Twelve Steps are a process, a path we take to stay a step ahead of
our disease. Meetings, sponsorship, service, and the steps always
remain essential to ongoing recovery. Though we may practice our
program somewhat differently with five years clean than with five
months, this doesn't mean the program has changed or become less
important, only that our practical understanding has changed and
grown. To keep our recovery fresh and vital, we need to stay alert for
opportunities to practice our program.
Just for today: As I keep growing in my recovery, I will search for
new ways to practice my program.
p. 187
Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
"Complacency is the enemy of members with substantial clean time. If
we remain complacent for long, the recovery process ceases."
Basic Text, p.80
After the first couple of years in recovery, most of us start to feel
like there are no more big deals. If we've been diligent in working
the steps, the past is largely resolved and we have a solid foundation
on which to build our future. We've learned to take life pretty much
as it comes. Familiarity with the steps allows us to resolve problems
almost as quickly as they arise.
Once we discover this level of comfort, we may tend to treat it as a
"rest stop" on the recovery path. Doing so, however, discounts the
nature of our disease. Addiction is patient, subtle, progressive, and
incurable. It's also fatal-we can die from this disease, unless we
continue to treat it. And the treatment for addiction is a vital,
ongoing program of recovery.
The Twelve Steps are a process, a path we take to stay a step ahead of
our disease. Meetings, sponsorship, service, and the steps always
remain essential to ongoing recovery. Though we may practice our
program somewhat differently with five years clean than with five
months, this doesn't mean the program has changed or become less
important, only that our practical understanding has changed and
grown. To keep our recovery fresh and vital, we need to stay alert for
opportunities to practice our program.
Just for today: As I keep growing in my recovery, I will search for
new ways to practice my program.
p. 187
Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.