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dalin
09-21-2008, 07:28 PM
We need to remember that there is a solution to all of our problems in Narcotics Anonymous. The solution is the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous. Embedded into our journey through the 12 steps is Hope. When pride, ego, greed, hatred, and anger (character defects) enter our minds, we must turn these defects over to a loving caring God of our own understanding. The only way to be able to do this is to be working the 12 steps. Being in a 12 step fellowship without working the steps is like getting into a car without turning the key. How can we expect to go anywhere spiritual without doing the work? The 12 steps allow us to change our spirit from diseased thinking to that of a loving spiritual nature. Instead of controlling situations, we begin to let go, trust the process, and ask for help. We begin to have hope that any given negative situation be turned into a positive one when we apply the 12 steps on Narcotics Anonymous. As hope arrives, the simplicity of the program will reveal itself.
Where hope and a sense of purpose prevails, we addicts begin to learn feelings long lost to most of us through our active addiction. At times, we may feel almost too buoyant, too enthusiastic. Our aspirations may exceed what is possible for us - yet often in recovery today's dream is tomorrow's reality. Without a dream, we may have no tomorrow. A sense of hope allows us to discuss matters that may be unpleasant or make us uncomfortable. When disorders occur, we suffer until we get back to the NA way: Steps, Traditions and Principles. Hope helps us surrender to the 1st Step.
One addict shares simply: "Hope is a small word but a big thing and if it wasn't shown to me through NA, I think I might have died."
HOPE... when did you first get it? How does one find it? How can we share it with newcomers?

shydawg
09-21-2008, 09:35 PM
wow , funny you posted this ,I'm just now begining to work Step 2 in our Step Working Guide & the very 1st thing it talks about is "HOPE". I guess I 1st started to gain some hope when I started to see some results start to happen for myself..well maybe ..when I saw others i had some hope that maybe if it worked for them then maybe it would/could maybe work for me too. I was willing to be having the faith that it would & allowing it to (be openminded & sticking around long enough to let it happen) ...surrendering to my disease i knew that I chose a new way of life & that I now am filled with hope & faith for the future//

shydawg
09-21-2008, 10:02 PM
I'm so gratreful for those addicts with long clean /recovery time in our meetings .. They showed me as a newcomer that there is a new way of life free of drugs & offered that glimmer of hope when I was beat up & just coming in off the streets ..