NA JFT - March 2014

[MajestyJo]

March 28

Facing Feelings

"We may fear that being in touch with our feelings will trigger an overwhelming chain reaction of pain and panic."

Basic Text p. 29

While we were using, many of us were unable or unwilling to feel many emotions. If we were happy, we used to make us happier. If we were angry or depressed, we used to mask those feelings. In continuing this pattern throughout our active addiction, we became so emotionally confused that we weren't sure what normal emotions were anymore.

After being in recovery for some time, we find that the emotions we had suppressed suddenly begin to surface. We may find that we do not know how to identify our feelings. What we may be feeling as rage may only be frustration. What we perceive as suicidal depression may simply be sadness. These are the times when we need to seek the assistance of our sponsor or other members of NA. Going to a meeting and talking about what is happening in our lives can help us to face our feelings instead of running from them in fear.

Just for today: I will not run from the uncomfortable emotions I may experience. I will use the support of my friends in recovery to help me face my emotions.

When I came into recovery, I had trouble facing them because I couldn't identify them and found that many of my old labels were false. I had shut down for so many year, it took a long time to make their presence known or for me to identify them for what they were.