Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   April 27                             Recognizing and releasing resentments

    "We want to look our past in the face, see it for what it really was,
                    and release it so we can live today."

                                                            Basic Text, p. 29

                           ----=----

   Many of us had trouble identifying our resentments when we were new in
   recovery.  There we sat with our Fourth Step in front of us, thinking and
   thinking, finally deciding that we just didn't have any resentments.
   Perhaps we talked ourselves into believing that we weren't so sick after
   all.

   Such unwitting denial of our resentments stems from the conditioning of
   our addiction.  Most of our feelings were buried, and buried deep.   After
   some time in recovery, a new sense of understanding develops.  Our most
   deeply buried feelings begin to surface, and those resentments we thought
   we didn't have suddenly emerge.

   As we examine these resentments, we may feel tempted to hold onto some of
   them, especially if we think they are "justified." But what we need
   to remember is that "justified" resentments are just as burdensome as
   any other resentment.

   As our awareness of our liabilities grows, so does our responsibility to
   let go.  We no longer need to hang on to our resentments.  We want to rid
   ourselves of what's undesirable and set ourselves free to recover.

                           ----=----

   Just for today:  When I discover a resentment, I'll see it for what it
   is and let it go.