jft july 12

[stickmonkey]

July 12 ----------- Patience

"We were trapped by our need for the instant gratification that drugs
gave us."

Basic Text, pp.24-25

"I want what I want, and I want it now!" That's about as patient as
most of us ever got in our active addiction. The obsession and
compulsion of our disease gave us a "one-track" way of thinking; when
we wanted something, that's all we thought about. And the drugs we
took taught us that instant gratification was never more than a dose
away. It's no wonder that most of us came to Narcotics Anonymous with
next to no patience.

The problem is, we can't always get what we want whenever we want it.
Some of our wishes are pure fantasy; if we think about it, we'll
realize we have no reason to believe those wishes will be fulfilled in
our lifetimes. We probably can't even fulfill all our realistic
desires; we certainly can't fulfill them all at once. In order to
acquire or achieve some things, we will have to sacrifice others.

In our addiction we sought instant gratification, squandering our
resources. In recovery we must learn to prioritize, sometimes denying
the gratification of some desires in order to fulfill more important
long-term goals. To do so requires patience. To find that patience, we
practice our program of recovery, seeking the kind of full-bodied
spiritual awakening that will allow us to live and enjoy life on
life's terms.

Just for today: Higher Power, help me discover what's most important
in my life. Help me learn patience, so that I can devote my resources
to the important things.

pg. 202

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©

[caressa]

Just last night, I shared with a friend that I was having thoughts of how nice it would be to have a quick fix and be pain free. I suffer from chronic pain from my arthritis but my fall did a real number on me. Using isn't an option. One day at a time, I am getting better. The easier softer way never worked before, why should it now?

[stickmonkey]

Same here.
My back is doing a deal on me,hurting bad.
It is negative karma.While in the U.S. Navy I was hit by a car while I was tripping on well,illeagal halucigens.
Now years later I ache alot.
Oh yea,did you speak at the na convention in toronto last year?

[caressa]

No, I wasn't there. In fact, when Orkna was in Hamilton a few years ago, I gave my ticket to a newcomer. I didn't think my health would allow me to make it through the whole thing. It was more important for someone new to go. It ended up that someone newly arrived to the city got the ticket. I was grateful.

[stickmonkey]

ok.
The lady from your town who spoke said she found na thru alanon.
I cant remember her name tho