Daily Readings

September 02

SLAA Daily Reading

Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous

Date
September 02
Theme
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY
Quote
As we are all governed by our own conscience, we do encourage members to study and understand the Traditions of our program to assist in group conscience / individual decisions on matters associated with crimes / illegal activity.
Source
from “Anonymity, The Law and S.L.A.A.”
Reflection
People commit crimes in pursuit of love and sex. This prevented me from feeling like I was worthy of recovery. I felt isolated and alienated from the world. This emotional atmosphere of self-loathing and shame can perpetuate more of the same behavior as a means of relieving pain. The amends-making process can help heal the pain so we don’t have to act out over it. Illegal activity can be defined differently in different countries. It is not up to me to decide whether these laws are fair. I seek freedom from the addiction, and freedom to live in society, and that means that I refrain from engaging in behavior contradictory to the law of the land. I set appropriate boundaries regarding incriminating information. I determine when it is safe to share information about my past illegal activity. I don’t assume or prevail upon others to keep secrets for me which may compromise that person’s own moral integrity. The possibility to recover from sex and love addiction by working the Twelve Steps is real and exists for all individuals, regardless of their past behavior. We can attain sobriety, while being mindful of the safety of ourselves and others.
Affirmation
I accept my past. I am worthy of recovery.

Just For Today

Narcotics Anonymous

Date
September 02
Theme
Higher Powered
Quote
"Daily practice of our Twelve Step program enables us to change from what we were to people guided by a Higher Power."
Source
Basic Text, p. 86
Reflection
Who have we been, and who have we become? There are a couple of ways to answer this question. One is very simple: We came to Narcotics Anonymous as addicts, our addiction killing us. In NA, we've been freed from our obsession with drugs and our compulsion to use. And our lives have changed. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. Who have we really been? In the past, we were people without power or direction. We felt like we had no purpose, no reason for living. Our lives didn't make any more sense to us than they did to our families, our friends, or our neighbors. Who are we really becoming? Today, we are not merely clean addicts, but people with a sense of direction, a purpose, and a Power greater than ourselves. Through daily practice of the Twelve Steps, we've begun to understand how our addiction warped our feelings, motivations, and behavior. Gradually, the destructive force of our disease has been replaced by the life-giving force of our Higher Power. Recovery means more than cleaning up--it means powering up. We have done more than shed some bad habits; we are becoming new people, guided by a Higher Power.
Affirmation
The guidance I need to become a new person is ready at hand. Today, I will draw further away from my old lack of direction and closer to my Higher Power.

Spiritual Principal a Day

Narcotics Anonymous

Date
September 02
Principle
Untangling Life's Knots with the Serenity Prayer
Quote
"The Serenity Prayer is a tool we use again and again in our recovery: Considering what we can change and what we cannot becomes increasingly powerful."
Source
Living Clean, Chapter 2, "Connection to the World Around Us"
Reflection
The simple binary offered in the Serenity Prayer--sorting between what we can and cannot change--provided quite a bit of relief to many of us as newcomers, especially when our minds were racing. Having this prayer as a new tool in our belt in early recovery enables many of us to muster a bit of courage to work on ourselves and, perhaps, achieve just enough serenity to tolerate those around us. Over time, we realize there is more depth in the Serenity Prayer than we might see at first glance. Our wisdom to know the difference grows as we accumulate more experience with trying to change our lives. Inserting "Me!" into the Serenity Prayer--as in "the courage to change the things I can: Me!"--might remind us to stay focused on ourselves, but many of us soon encounter traits that are not so easily changed. "They told me I only have to change one thing--and that's everything," a member wrote. "I had these visions as a newcomer of changing my diet, getting fit, folding my laundry as soon as it dries, achieving enlightenment, and all that. It didn't take long before I wasn't feeling very much serenity at all. I had to adjust my expectations." If our lives were all knotted up when we first got here, we aren't likely to get it all untangled right away. Talking to other addicts helps us better see what knots we can loosen now, and what parts of the thread we'll need to accept--at least for the moment--while we work on what's right in front of us. Sometimes a knot gets tighter, which can be a vexing part of the process. As our Basic Text mentions, "We learn that we are growing when we make new mistakes instead of repeating old ones." As we draw on recovery experience--our own and what others share with us--our wisdom grows. Serenity and courage are likely to follow. ———     ———     ———     ———     ———
Affirmation
The wisdom to know the difference evolves as I do. When I say the Serenity Prayer, I will try to connect with the principles behind it.