Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   August 6                                                    The joy within

    "Since the beginning of our recovery, we have found that joy doesn't
            come from material things but from within ourselves."

                                                           Basic Text, p. 103

                           ----=----

   Some of us came to Narcotics Anonymous impoverished by our disease.
   Everything we'd owned had been lost to our addiction.   Once we got
   clean, we put all our energy into recovering our material possessions,
   only to feel even more dissatisfied with our lives than before.

   Other members have sought to ease their emotional pain with material
   things.  A potential date has rejected us?   Let's buy something.   The
   dog has died?  Let's go to the mall.  Problem is, emotional fulfillment
   can't be bought, not even on an easy installment plan.

   There's nothing inherently wrong with material things.   They can make
   life more convenient or more luxurious, but they can't fix us.   Where,
   then, can true joy be found?  We know; the answer is within ourselves.

   When have we found joy?   When we've offered ourselves in service to
   others, without expectation of reward.   We've found true warmth in the
   fellowship of others-not only in NA, but in our families,  our
   relationships, and our communities.   And we've found the surest source
   of satisfaction in our conscious contact with our God.   Inner peace, a
   sure sense of direction, and emotional security do not come from material
   things, but from within.

                           ----=----

   Just for today:   True joy can't be bought.   I  will seek my joy in
   service, in fellowship, in my Higher Power-I will seek within.