February 9

The opposite of rejection is Acceptance, as using addicts we rejected ourselves, and we rejected life. In the early progression of the disease of addiction, we could not accept our feelings. We got loaded to change the way we felt.

We knew exactly how we wanted to feel, and that was obliterated. The self-center part of the disease disregarded everyone and everything around us. We used drugs at all costs; that same self-centeredness kept us feeling that we were all alone.

Our terminal uniqueness had us feeling that no one would ever accept us, if they got to know us. Arriving at Narcotics Anonymous, we had to Accept that we suffered from a Spiritual disease and not a moral dilemma. We found that we weren't alone, there were people like us.

We started to feel like we could be Accepted. First, we had to Accept Ourselves as sick people getting better. We Accepted a Higher Power that Forgave us, and gave us the Power to Love ourselves and others just the way they were.

Step Five is our Key to Freedom from self-rejection. Admitting to God, ourselves and another human being, turns that Key.

Self-Acceptance also includes what we are lacking and the Willingness to Change. The Steps, Traditions, Sponsorship, Service, and God made this transformation possible. This is a daily transformation it's not permanent, it's Just For That Day.

The next day we have to continue to Apply these Spiritual Principles to Keep What We Have. In Narcotics Anonymous, Acceptance through Surrender becomes a Way of Life for us.