Dealing with gossip
“In accordance with the principles of recovery, we try not to judge, stereotype, or
moralize with each other.”
Basic Text, p.11
Let’s face it: In Narcotics Anonymous, we live in a glass house of sorts. Our fellow
members know more about our personal lives than anyone has ever known before.
They know who we spend our time with, where we work, what step we’re on, how
many children we have, and so forth. And what our fellow members don’t know, they
will probably imagine.
We may be unhappy when others gossip about us. But if we withdraw from the
fellowship and isolate ourselves to avoid gossip, we also rob ourselves of the love,
friendship, and unparalleled experience with recovery that our fellow members have
to offer. A better way to deal with gossip is to simply accept the way things are and
the way we are, and live our lives according to principles. The more secure we
become with our personal program, the decisions we make, and the guidance we
receive from a loving God, the less the opinions of others will concern us.
Just for today: I am committed to being involved in the NA Fellowship. The opinions
of others will not affect my commitment to recovery.