Self – acceptance
“When we accept ourselves, we can accept others into our lives, unconditionally
probably for the first time.”
IP No.19, “Self-Acceptance”
From our earliest memories, many of us felt like we never belonged. No matter how
big the gathering, we always felt apart from the crowd. We had a hard time “fitting
in”. Deep down, we believed that if we really let others get to know us, they would
reject us. Perhaps our addiction began to germinate in this climate of selfcenteredness.
Many of us hid the pain of our alienation with an attitude of defiance. In effect, we
told the world, “You don’t need me? Well, I don’t need any of you, either. I’ve got
my drugs and I can take care of myself!” The further our addiction progressed, the
higher the walls we built around ourselves.
Those walls begin to fall when we start finding acceptance from other recovering
addicts. With this acceptance from others, we begin to learn the important principle
of self-acceptance. And when we start to accept ourselves, we can allow others to
take part in our lives without fear of rejection.
Just for today: I am accepted in NA; I fit in. Today, it’s safe to start letting others
into my life.