March 5

Our Literature says that, "We have never seen a person relapse who lives the Narcotics Anonymous program. However, our greatest stumbling blocks come from ourselves. When we Admit our powerlessness over our addiction in the First Step, we have to take into account that others around us may not have. Expectations of ourselves and others could have a bearing on our Serenity.

We will try countless times to exert control over others, or the outcomes of certain situations. After beating our heads against a wall, we Surrender. The reality is that though we in Narcotics Anonymous suffer from the same disease, we suffer at different levels of the disease and Recover at different levels.

The people outside the Program may not be aware of any Principles at all themselves. In this matter, we are powerless, but our Higher Power does have the Power, if we ask. We ask for Patience, Tolerance and Compassion, for ourselves as well as others. We also Share our expectations and disappointments with others.

We find that we might have been unrealistic in our thinking. We strive for Adequacy and not perfection. Being wrong keeps us Humble, because we have to ask for Help.

We are reminded that we are not really doing this by ourselves. Anonymity means that we don't take credit for our Recovery.

We are on this Journey with the God Of Our Understanding and others in and out of the Fellowship. We find Hope when others Share with us their experience. Once again we confirm that we're not unique, and we're not alone.

We once again feel whole, and part of a whole. The "S" in H.A.L.T.S. don't take yourself too Seriously becomes a Reality.