Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   July 16                                                        Self-esteem

        "Deep inside, I had feelings of inadequacy and inferiority."

                           ----=----

   Somewhere along the way, many of us developed strong feelings of
   inadequacy and inferiority.   Deep inside was a voice that continually
   cried out, "You're worthless!" Many of us learn to recognize this
   characteristic of low self-esteem very early in our recovery.  Some of us
   may feel that our feelings of inferiority were where all our problems
   began.

   Whether we learn this low self-esteem in our families or through our
   interactions with others, in NA  we learn the tools for reclaiming
   ourselves.   Building up our fractured self-esteem sometimes begins by
   simply accepting a service position.  Or perhaps our phone begins to ring,
   and for the first time people are calling just to see how we are.   They
   don't want anything from us but to reach out and help.

   Next we get a sponsor, someone who teaches us that we are worthwhile and
   believes in us until we can believe in ourselves.  Our sponsor guides us
   through the Twelve Steps where we learn who we really are, not who we have
   built ourselves up or down to be.

   Low self-esteem doesn't go away overnight.  Sometimes it takes years for
   us to really get in touch with ourselves.   But with the help of other
   members of NA who share our same feelings, and by working the Twelve
   Steps, we blossom into individuals whom others and, most importantly, we
   ourselves respect.

                           ----=----

   Just for today:   I  will remember that I  am deserving of my Higher
   Power's love.  I know that I am a worthy human being.