Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   July 24                                               The masks have to go

     "...we covered low self-esteem by hiding behind phony images that we
               hoped would fool people. The masks have to go."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 33

                           ----=----

   Over-sensitivity, insecurity, and lack of identity are often associated
   with active addiction.  Many of us carry these with us into recovery;  our
   fears of inadequacy, rejection, and lack of direction do not disappear
   overnight.    Many of us have images, false personalities we  have
   constructed either to protect ourselves or please others.  Some of us use
   masks because we're not sure who we really are.  Sometimes we think that
   these images, built to protect us while using, might also protect us in
   recovery.

   We use false fronts to hide our true personality, to disguise our lack of
   self-esteem.  These masks hide us from others and also from our own true
   selves.  By living a lie, we are saying that we cannot live with the truth
   about ourselves.  The more we hide our real selves, the more we damage our
   self-esteem.

   One of the miracles of recovery is the recognition of ourselves, complete
   with assets and liabilities.   Self-esteem begins with this recognition.
   Despite our fear of becoming vulnerable, we need to be willing to let go
   of our disguises.   We need to be free of our masks and free to trust
   ourselves.

                           ----=----

   Just for today:  I will let go of my masks and allow my self- esteem to
   grow.