JFT December 22
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 2,274
JFT December 22
December 22
A new way to live
“When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends—jails, institutions, or death—or find a new way to live.”
Basic Text, p. 87
––––=––––
What was the worst aspect of active addiction? For many of us, it wasn’t the chance that we might die some day of our disease. The worst part was the living death we experienced every day, the never-ending meaninglessness of life. We felt like walking ghosts, not living, loving parts of the world around us.
In recovery, we’ve come to believe that we’re here for a reason: to love ourselves and to love others. In working the Twelve Steps, we have learned to accept ourselves. With that self-acceptance has come self-respect. We have seen that everything we do has an effect on others; we are a part of the lives of those around us, and they of ours. We’ve begun to trust other people and to acknowledge our responsibility to them.
In recovery, we’ve come back to life. We maintain our new lives by contributing to the welfare of others and seeking each day to do that better—that’s where the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Steps come in. The days of living like a ghost are past, but only so long as we actively seek to be healthy, loving, contributing parts of our own lives and the lives of others around us.
––––=––––
Just for today: I have found a new way to live. Today, I will seek to serve others with love and to love myself.
A new way to live
“When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends—jails, institutions, or death—or find a new way to live.”
Basic Text, p. 87
––––=––––
What was the worst aspect of active addiction? For many of us, it wasn’t the chance that we might die some day of our disease. The worst part was the living death we experienced every day, the never-ending meaninglessness of life. We felt like walking ghosts, not living, loving parts of the world around us.
In recovery, we’ve come to believe that we’re here for a reason: to love ourselves and to love others. In working the Twelve Steps, we have learned to accept ourselves. With that self-acceptance has come self-respect. We have seen that everything we do has an effect on others; we are a part of the lives of those around us, and they of ours. We’ve begun to trust other people and to acknowledge our responsibility to them.
In recovery, we’ve come back to life. We maintain our new lives by contributing to the welfare of others and seeking each day to do that better—that’s where the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Steps come in. The days of living like a ghost are past, but only so long as we actively seek to be healthy, loving, contributing parts of our own lives and the lives of others around us.
––––=––––
Just for today: I have found a new way to live. Today, I will seek to serve others with love and to love myself.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 2,274
Everyone has a different "end of the road" but what we all have in common is that we could not go living like we were. We had to do something different. Today, I am grateful that I reached then end of my road and chose to the NA way. It has given me my life back and gives me new life each day.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 320
Today I must remember the end of the road comes not only in active addiction but in life without using drugs. Many times in my recovery I came to an end of a road that could have very well led me to a jail. institution or death. It was the same NA program and the 12 steps that saved me att he end of my active addition and ant he end of the road in my recovery. Both are just a painful and the surrender is also the same.
I find just what the book says I will find. When I help others the NA way I find the strenght to live another day. Thanks for the JFT .
I find just what the book says I will find. When I help others the NA way I find the strenght to live another day. Thanks for the JFT .
JUST DO IT!!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here Or There
Posts: 7,612
Originally Posted by REZ 
December 22
A new way to live
“When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends—jails, institutions, or death—or find a new way to live.”
Basic Text, p. 87
A new way to live
“When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends—jails, institutions, or death—or find a new way to live.”
Basic Text, p. 87
Being sober and living it are two different things. And I for one don't live it very well.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: somewhere
Posts: 917
Being sober and living it are two different things. And I for one don't live it very well.
and I'm an Addict
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NE, Alabama
Posts: 7
"What was the worst aspect of active addiction? For many of us, it wasn’t the chance that we might die some day of our disease. The worst part was the living death we experienced every day, the never-ending meaninglessness of life. We felt like walking ghosts, not living, loving parts of the world around us."
This is/was so true for me. I got deep into my addiction because I didnt want to have to feel anything. I didnt want to be sad and in pain. I didnt want to have to greive the the loss of a loved one. I didnt even care to be happy again. I was just like a zombie. I was just existing. Not living.
This is/was so true for me. I got deep into my addiction because I didnt want to have to feel anything. I didnt want to be sad and in pain. I didnt want to have to greive the the loss of a loved one. I didnt even care to be happy again. I was just like a zombie. I was just existing. Not living.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
