Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   June 17                                                              Walls

    "Reaching out is the beginning of the struggle that will set us free.
               It will break down the walls that imprison us."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 83

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   Many of us came to NA emotionally shattered.   Years of using people and
   allowing them to use us had taken their toll on our ability to trust
   anyone, ourselves included.   But the love and acceptance we found in
   Narcotics Anonymous encouraged us to reach out and get close to others.

   The longer we stayed clean, the more we began to long for greater intimacy
   with our loved ones.  We began reaching out in deeper, more meaningful
   ways, even though we might get hurt.   Despite our fears of rejection, we
   decided to risk revealing ourselves, our beliefs, and our needs.    We
   decided to let down our defensive walls.

   The freedom we've found has been worth the risk involved.  We know there
   is still work to do before we will be completely free of the barriers
   built by years of active addiction.  But by reaching out to other addicts
   and allowing them to reach out to us, despite our human failings, we have
   come to know that we have a great capacity for love and intimacy.   When
   set free of their restraining walls, our hearts hold great power.

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   Just for today:   I will let down my personal walls and reach out to
   others.  I will allow my heart the freedom to love and be loved.