31 December

In Narcotics Anonymous we learn to focus on ourselves, to work on ourselves. What we soon find out is, to keep what we have, we have to give it away. In other words, we learn to work with others.

We have to get out of self to have self, to have our Recovery and continue to Live. The way we do this is through Selfless Service. Service is for those we serve.

In our beginning as newcomers, other members suggest that we take a service commitment in our Home Group. As newcomers, we make coffee for the Group, or we greet others as they arrive at the Meeting. These early service commitments keep us coming back week after week; this gives us the opportunity for Recovery. We are still serving others whether we realize it or not.

As we continue in this Journey, the motive to stay Clean by doing service becomes secondary. Recovery happens as a result of the Steps, not service. Service might keep us Clean but does not equal Recovery.

Service Based Recovery is temporary and with little Growth. Recovery Based Service on the other hand results in the Spiritual Principle of Humility. We do service because we truly Care for other addicts.

We freely Share this Gift because it was freely shared with us. One of our Founding Members said, "You and I have been given through illness, through suffering and through disease, a talent for helping other human beings like ourselves. Let's never forget that we have it. " In other words only addicts can help addicts. We do this through service.

As we Share with others, we also learn how to Accept Help from others.

This is true Humility, admitting that we can't do this on our own. Accepting Help from others gives them an opportunity to serve others.

In This Moment: Through serving others we will learn the Humility it takes to ask for and Accept Help when we need it.