The ties that bind
“As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us
apart, all will be well.”
Basic Text, p.57
Many of us feel that without NA we would surely have died from our disease. Hence,
its existence is our very lifeline. However, disunity is an occasional fact of life in
Narcotics Anonymous; we must learn to respond in a constructive way to the
destructive influences that sometimes arise in our fellowship. If we decide to be part
of the solution instead of the problem, we are headed in the right direction.
Our personal recovery and the growth of NA is contingent upon maintaining an
atmosphere of recovery in our meetings. Are we willing to help our group deal
constructively with conflict? As group members, do we strive to work out difficulties
openly, honestly, and fairly? Do we seek to promote the common welfare of all our
members rather than our own agenda? And, as trusted servants, do we take into
consideration the effect our actions might have on newcomers?
Service can bring out both the best and the worst in us. But it is often through
service that we begin to get in touch with some of our more pressing defects of
character. Do we shrink from service commitments rather than face what we might
find out about ourselves? If we bear in mind the strength of the ties that bind us
together-our recovery from active addiction-all will be well.
Just for today: I will strive to be of service to our fellowship. I will be unafraid to
discover who I am.