JFT June 8th - The Only Requirement
Evolving Addict
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York State
Posts: 3,067
JFT June 8th - The Only Requirement
June 8
From time to time we wonder if we’re “doing it right” in Narcotics Anonymous. Are we attending enough meetings? Are we using our sponsor, or working the steps, or speaking, or reading, or living the “right” way? We value the fellowship of recovering addicts—we don’t know what we’d do without it. What if the way we’re practicing our program is “wrong”? Does that make us “bad” NA members?
We can settle our insecurities by reviewing our Third Tradition, which assures us that “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.” There aren’t any rules that say we’ve got to attend this many meetings or these particular meetings, or work the steps this way at this pace, or live our lives to suit these people in order to remain NA members in good standing.
It’s true that, if we want the kind of recovery we see in members we respect, we’ll want to practice the kind of program that’s made their recovery possible. But NA is a fellowship of freedom; we work the program the best way for us, not for someone else. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
Just for today: I will look at the program I’m working in light of my own recovery. I will practice that program to the best of my ability.
Copyright © 1991-2008 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The only requirement
“This program offers hope. All you have to bring with you is the desire to stop using and the willingness to try this new way of life.”
IP No. 16, For the Newcomer
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From time to time we wonder if we’re “doing it right” in Narcotics Anonymous. Are we attending enough meetings? Are we using our sponsor, or working the steps, or speaking, or reading, or living the “right” way? We value the fellowship of recovering addicts—we don’t know what we’d do without it. What if the way we’re practicing our program is “wrong”? Does that make us “bad” NA members?
We can settle our insecurities by reviewing our Third Tradition, which assures us that “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.” There aren’t any rules that say we’ve got to attend this many meetings or these particular meetings, or work the steps this way at this pace, or live our lives to suit these people in order to remain NA members in good standing.
It’s true that, if we want the kind of recovery we see in members we respect, we’ll want to practice the kind of program that’s made their recovery possible. But NA is a fellowship of freedom; we work the program the best way for us, not for someone else. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
––––=––––
Just for today: I will look at the program I’m working in light of my own recovery. I will practice that program to the best of my ability.
Copyright © 1991-2008 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
It is what it is!!!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Sobriety
Posts: 5,767
WOW I needed to read that today.
Yesterday I went to a meeting I had never been to before in my county. I came home so frustrated!!!! There were a total of 11 people in the room, including me. It was the most disruptive meeting I have been to in years. People sending text messages and getting up and down and up and down and up and down....it was crazy. My home group is double that and is never disruptive like that. I was so annoyed.
I needed that reading today. My H kept telling me all night to just let it go and not let those few people steal my joy. I just could not believe the disrespect, the meeting was only an hour long LOL
But......they were there in the meeting, and had the desire to stay clean, at least for that hour!
I am glad that there are like 80 or 90 meetings in my county each week, I get to choose to go to others.
It alwasy comes back to choice for me. Last night I made a choice to be frustrated, today I make a choice not to be, because I have a desire to stay clean......just for today.
Yesterday I went to a meeting I had never been to before in my county. I came home so frustrated!!!! There were a total of 11 people in the room, including me. It was the most disruptive meeting I have been to in years. People sending text messages and getting up and down and up and down and up and down....it was crazy. My home group is double that and is never disruptive like that. I was so annoyed.
I needed that reading today. My H kept telling me all night to just let it go and not let those few people steal my joy. I just could not believe the disrespect, the meeting was only an hour long LOL
But......they were there in the meeting, and had the desire to stay clean, at least for that hour!
I am glad that there are like 80 or 90 meetings in my county each week, I get to choose to go to others.
It alwasy comes back to choice for me. Last night I made a choice to be frustrated, today I make a choice not to be, because I have a desire to stay clean......just for today.
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