Today's Reading from Just For Today © NA World Services

 


   December 19                                        Walking the way we talk

            "Words mean nothing until we put them into action."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 58

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   The Twelfth Step reminds us "to practice these principles in all our
   affairs." In NA, we see living examples of this suggestion all around
   us.  The more experienced members, who seem to have an aura of peace
   surrounding them, demonstrate the rewards of applying this bit of wisdom
   in their lives.

   To receive the rewards of the Twelfth Step, it is vital that we practice
   the spiritual principles of recovery even when no one is looking.  If we
   talk about recovery at meetings but continue to live as we did in active
   addiction, our fellow members may suspect that we are doing nothing more
   than quoting bumper stickers.

   What we pass on to newer members comes more from how we live than what we
   say.    If we advise someone to "turn it over" without having
   experienced the miracle of the Third Step, chances are the message will
   fail to reach the ears of the newcomer for whom it's intended.  On the
   other hand, if we "walk what we talk" and share our genuine experience
   in recovery, the message will surely be evident to all.

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   Just for today:   I will practice the principles of recovery, even when
   I'm the only one who knows.