JFT December 17, 2009
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 2,274
JFT December 17, 2009
December 17
Service motives
Everything that occurs in the course of NA service must be motivated by the desire to more successfully carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers.
Basic Text, p. xxvi
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Our motives are often a surprise to us. In our early days of recovery, they were almost always a surprise! Weve learned to check our motives through prayer, meditation, the steps, and talking to our sponsor or other addicts. When we find ourselves with an especially strong urge to do or have something, its particularly important to check our motives to find out what we really want.
In early recovery, many of us throw ourselves into service with great fervor before we have started the regular practice of motive-checking. It takes awhile before we become aware of the real reasons for our zeal. We may want to impress others, show off our talents, or be recognized and important. Now, these desires may not be harmful in another setting, expressed through another outlet. In NA service, however, they can do serious damage.
When we decide to serve NA, we make a decision to help addicts find and maintain recovery. We have to carefully check our motives in service, remembering that its much easier to frighten away using addicts than to convince them to stay. When we show them game-playing, manipulation, or pomposity, we present an unattractive picture of recovery. However, the unselfish desire to serve others creates an atmosphere that is attractive to the addict who still suffers.
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Just for today: I will check my motives for the true spirit of service.
Service motives
Everything that occurs in the course of NA service must be motivated by the desire to more successfully carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers.
Basic Text, p. xxvi
=
Our motives are often a surprise to us. In our early days of recovery, they were almost always a surprise! Weve learned to check our motives through prayer, meditation, the steps, and talking to our sponsor or other addicts. When we find ourselves with an especially strong urge to do or have something, its particularly important to check our motives to find out what we really want.
In early recovery, many of us throw ourselves into service with great fervor before we have started the regular practice of motive-checking. It takes awhile before we become aware of the real reasons for our zeal. We may want to impress others, show off our talents, or be recognized and important. Now, these desires may not be harmful in another setting, expressed through another outlet. In NA service, however, they can do serious damage.
When we decide to serve NA, we make a decision to help addicts find and maintain recovery. We have to carefully check our motives in service, remembering that its much easier to frighten away using addicts than to convince them to stay. When we show them game-playing, manipulation, or pomposity, we present an unattractive picture of recovery. However, the unselfish desire to serve others creates an atmosphere that is attractive to the addict who still suffers.
=
Just for today: I will check my motives for the true spirit of service.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 2,274
One thing I have learned is that my motives are seldom ever "pure"; there always seems to be a bit of ego-centric motivation in whatever I do. I need to strive for selfless service and check my motives often. Mixed motives can still yield good results.
It's kinda like the saying "we keep what we have by giving it away." There is a double-edge. My desire to serve is almost always directly connected to my desire to grow and progress. But my desire to serve is never about status, prestige or monetary compensation.
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