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My spelling sux...so give me a break...
The reason this topic hits me is this...
We will survive this behavior...I mean NA will. I have seen this make full circle over the years. I will continue to sit silent while ANY member is speaking in a meeting...regardless if they are reading or sharing..they have the floor.
Greg P explained this to me... NA is practicle...and spritual. All things that are spritual are practicle. Meaning long after I am gone this program will continue. God will see to that. However I do have my part to the protection of the common welfare of NA . I express this responsabliltiy in my behavior by not participating in things that tear the unity apart inside NA. I can not live without NA and NA can not survive without the members practicing our spritual principles. Its hand in hand. If you honesty beleive that one addict can best help and understand another addict you understand the importance of NA unity. THAT is why I dont behave in ways that will tear us apart.
I have seen many changes in NA. I watched the "US vs THEM" fights , "Traditions WARS" and now the war of "THE NEW Solfter NA". Since I have seen and lived through them all I have a point of view that is NOT of the making of someone else. Sure I got clean from a book that says "fix, pill or drink" but that in NO way discounts the 6th addition nor will it discount the 10th to come....
The question is simple and practical in nature...."What are WE doing today to add to the unity of NA? and what are WE doing that tear the unity of NA apart? My job is to stay clean and carry the message of recovery to the still suffering addict. Please dont get it swisted in thinking that the suffering addict is always a newcomer cuz it is not always that way.. In fact against popular opion old timers suffer. Sometimes in their understanding and acceptance of the changes of NA. NA will change with the needs of the world. Tradition One is surrendering our one way track of thinking to accept the fact thqat the good of many is more important.
My attempt today is to make the new comer feel comfortable and make the old timer uncomfortable. So for you old timers out there....push your own recovery further and deeper into your understanding of the spirtual aspects of this fellowship. Its about love....reaching out to the newcomer in WHAT EVER condition they come to the door . Reach for them and pull them in the rooms. They have made the effort to get to the edge of the door way. It is up to us to reach for them and pull them in ....Set your stuff aside for a moment and allow the newcomer to figure out WHAT he is and if this is the way of life for him. Remember...thank GOD you were not held in judgement for mis identifing yourself when you got here...You kept coming back till you gained an understanding that you belonged. Dont jump the newcomer with your promotion over attraction junk. NA does not need a recruiter. Dont you think we have run enough people to other fellowships? Lets allow our spritual principles in action speak for themselves. I promise you if an addict feels welcomed, loved and accepted they will stay around. And if they dont they wont...
For some of you old timers.... it is our role to redirect other old timers that are carring out this behavior...
For the newcomer...keep coming back. you have entered a worldwide fellowship that have proven itself to millions to be the final place to recover. In the event you hear somethings in the rooms that you dont understand thats ok just keep coming back. IF your using,.... come back not using. We will walk with you till you can walk on your own.
I remain
Joe H
9/9/84
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