JFT July 2nd - Comparing

[Gmoney]

July 2

Comparing

“Our personal stories may vary in individual pattern, but in the end we all have the same thing in common.”

Basic Text, p. 84

––––=––––

We addicts are a varied bunch, coming from different backgrounds, having used different drugs, and recalling different experiences. Our differences don’t disappear in recovery; for some, those differences become even more pronounced. Freedom from active addiction gives us the freedom to be ourselves, as we truly are. The fact that we are all recovering doesn’t mean that we all necessarily have the same needs or goals. Each of us has our own lessons to learn in recovery.

With so many differences from one addict to the next, how do we help one another in recovery and how do we use each other’s experience? We come together to share our lives in light of the principles of recovery. Though our lives are different, the spiritual principles we apply are the same. It is by the light of these principles, shining through our differences, that we illuminate one another’s way on our individual paths.

We all have two things in common: addiction and recovery. When we listen carefully, we hear others tell of suffering from the same disease we have suffered from, regardless of their specific backgrounds. When we open our ears, we hear other addicts talk of applying spiritual principles that promise hope to us as well, regardless of our personal goals.

––––=––––

Just for today: I have my own path to follow, yet I’m grateful for the fellowship of others who’ve suffered from addiction and who are learning to apply the principles of recovery, just like me.



Copyright © 1991-2008 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved

[Gmoney]

Our differences don’t disappear in recovery; for some, those differences become even more pronounced....We all have two things in common: addiction and recovery.

I often hear members share in meetings, "We're more alike than we are different." I usually won't challenge that slogan during a meeting, but when talking one-on-one with other members I will point out how that saying conflicts with NA literature. We don't have to be just like anyone when we come to NA and after we've been here for a while, we may find that we're even more different in a variety of areas (education, profession, moral, ethical, social, religious, non-religious, etc...). But when I listen and focus on our similarities, I'll often find that our differences really make no difference. It really isn't what makes us different that counts...it's what we have in common: addiction & recovery.

[Lily]

I can remember the first time I came into those rooms, (80's) I was trying to find someone like me. I can remember thinking we were so different.

This time around I guess I am not seeing the differences as much. While there are differences like mentioned above, I and kind of starting to see us as all quite similar in many ways. We all struggle and we all want to be understood, to be loved.

Like Soloman once said, there is nothing new under the sun....

[Gmoney]

Who is Solomon?