Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   July 11                                                      Encouragement

             "We share comfort and encouragement with others."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 99

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   Many of us have watched as babies take their first steps.   The mother
   holds the child on its feet.   The father kneels nearby with outstretched
   arms, encouraging the little one, his face flooded with devotion.   The
   baby takes a few small steps toward its father.  An older brother and
   sister cheer the tyke on.  Baby falls down.  Its mother, murmuring words
   of comfort, picks the child up and starts over again.   This time, baby
   stays up until it is close enough to fall into the safety of its
   father's arms.

   As newcomers, we arrive in the rooms of NA much like this small child.
   Accustomed to living a life crippled by addiction, full of fear and
   uncertainty, we need help to stand.  Just like a child beginning its march
   toward adulthood, we take our halting first steps toward recovery.   We
   learn to live this new way of life because others who have gone before us
   encourage and comfort us by telling us what worked-and what didn't
   work-for them.  Our sponsor is there for us when we need a push in the
   right direction.

   Many times we feel like we can't take another step in recovery.   Just
   like a child learning to walk, we sometimes stumble or fall.   But our
   Higher Power always awaits us with outstretched arms.   And like the
   child's brothers and sisters shouting their encouragement, we, too, are
   supported by other NA members as we walk toward a full life in recovery.

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   Just for today:  I will seek encouragement from others.  I will encourage
   others who may need my strength.