NA JFT - January 2014

[MajestyJo]

January 29
The First Step - An Action Step

" Do we understand that we have no real control over drugs?"

Basic Text p. 18
At first, many of us may have thought the First Step required no action-we just surrender and go on to Step Two. But Step One does require action!

The action we take in the First Step will be evident in the way we live, even from our first day clean. If we truly believe that we are powerless over our addiction, we will not choose to be around drugs. To continue to live with or associate with practicing addicts may indicate a reservation in our program. An absolute belief that the First Step applies to us will insure that we clear our homes of all drugs and paraphernalia.

As time goes on, we'll not only continue with the basics but add new actions to our First Step repertoire. We'll learn to feel our feelings rather than trying to control them. We'll stop trying to be our own and only guides on our recovery journey; self-sponsorship will cease. We'll begin looking to a Power greater than ourselves more and more for spiritual satisfaction rather than trying to fill that void with something else.

Surrender is only the beginning. Once we surrender, we need to learn how to live in the peace we have found.

Just for today: I will take all the action necessary to practice the First Step. I truly believe it applies to me.

Each morning as part of my meditation, I do what I call the 1, 2, 3 Waltz. I can't, my God can, and just for today, I choose to let Him.

If I acknowledge my disease, surrender it to the God of my understanding, I am empowered to stay clean in today. I am empowered to do what I need to do to not pick up.

Drugs are an inanimate object until such a time as I choose to pick them up and ingest them in some way. They are not the problem, it is the thinking behind the drinking and drugging, that keeps me sick. If I don`t pick up, apply the program to the thinking, I can change.