Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   April 8                                                          Happiness

               "We come to know happiness, joy, and freedom."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 91

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   If someone stopped you on the street today and asked if you were happy,
   what would you say?  "Well, gee, let's see...  I have a place to live,
   food in the refrigerator, a job, my car is running...  Well, yes, I  guess
   I'm happy," you might respond.   These are outward examples of things
   that many of us have traditionally associated with happiness.  We often
   forget, however, that happiness is a choice; no one can make us happy.

   Happiness is what we find in our involvement with Narcotics Anonymous.
   The happiness we derive from a life focused on service to the addict who
   still suffers is great indeed.  When we place service to others ahead of
   our own desires, we find that we take the focus off ourselves.   As a
   result, we live a more contented, harmonious life.  In being of service to
   others, we find our own needs more than fulfilled.

   Happiness.  What is it, really?  We can think of happiness as contentment
   and satisfaction.  Both of these states of mind seem to come to us when we
   least strive for them.  As we live just for today, carrying the message to
   the addict who still suffers, we find contentment, happiness, and a deeply
   meaningful life.

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   Just for today:   I am going to be happy.   I will find my happiness by
   being of service to others.