June 21: Spiritual Principle a Day, read by Glen

Spiritual Principle a Day for June 21, read by Glen

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June 21

Sharing Solidarity with Our Fellow Members

"There is a special feeling for addicts when they discover that there are other people who share their difficulties, past and present."

—Basic Text, Chapter 5: What Can I Do?

––––=––––

Many of us experienced a sense of solidarity with our druggy buddies early in our using careers. We found camaraderie as we conspired on our next score, caper, or conquest. We entrusted at least some of our secrets with a select few, and they counted on us to hold our mud. There were limits to our loyalty, however. In time, we’d betray them, or they’d betray us.

The romanticized version of our stories often focuses on those magic moments of solidarity with our running partners. If we follow the storyline of these relationships through to their collapse, we might mistakenly conclude that those kinds of bonds are a thing of the past or that we’re still incapable of sustaining solidarity and close friendships. This adds to our sense of isolation and alienation, making us vulnerable to unhelpful self-talk that can create a wedge between us and our clean new friends. Once we recognize that recovery changes everything about our capacity for connection, we’re able to take a stand against that negative chatter. Our previous sense of solidarity centered around drug use. Now solidarity springs from honest sharing and empathy, and the occasional caper, conquest, or war story.

In one member’s experience: “I came in feeling like I didn’t belong, that I was so uniquely troubled. Then I heard the stories and realized I’d found my people.” Solidarity is the spiritual opposite of isolation and self-centeredness. Although our circumstances, interests, and ambitions vary wildly, we connect emotionally and spiritually and stand by one another. We all have dreams and struggles, experience joy and sorrow, want to be happy and forgiven, to love and be loved. And we don’t have to experience any of it alone. Over the years, countless sponsors have offered this assurance: “I can’t fix your problems, but you won’t have to face them alone.” And, really, what more could we ask for?

––––=––––

Spiritual Principle:

To build solidarity with my fellow members, I will share my struggles with someone who can help or someone who might need help.

––––=––––

© NA World Services

This podcast is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous, and is an independent production of the Works of Wisdom

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is your Spiritual Principleof a Day episode featuring a
recovering addict. Hi, my name is Glenn.

(00:24):
My clean date is June 23rd, 2023.
You're listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is the Spiritual Principle,A day passage for June 21st.
Sharing solidarity with our fellow members There's a special
feeling for addicts when they discover that there are other

(00:47):
people who share their difficulties, past and present.
Basic Text Chapter 5 What can I do?
Many of us experienced a sense of solidarity with our druggie
buddies early in our using careers.
We found camaraderie as we conspired on our next score,
caper, or conquest. We entrusted at least some of

(01:09):
our secrets with a select few, and they counted on us to hold
our mud. There were limits to our
loyalty, however. In time, we'd betray them, or
they'd betray us. The romanticized version of our
stories often focuses on those magic moments of solidarity with
our running partners. If we follow the storyline of

(01:31):
these relationships through to their collapse, we might
mistakenly conclude that those kinds of bonds are a thing of
the past, or that we're still incapable of sustaining
solidarity and close friendships.
This adds to our sense of isolation and alienation, making
us vulnerable to unhelpful self talk that can create a wedge

(01:53):
between us and our new clean friends.
Once we recognize that recovery changes everything about our
capacity for connection, we're able to take a stand against
that negative chatter. Our previous sense of solidarity
centered around drug use. Now solidarity springs from

(02:13):
honest sharing and empathy, and the occasional caper, conquest
or war store. In one members experience.
I came in feeling like I didn't belong, that I was so uniquely
troubled. Then I heard the stories and
realized I'd found my people. Solidarity is the spiritual

(02:34):
opposite of isolation and self centeredness.
Although our circumstances, interests and ambitions vary
widely, we connect emotionally and spiritually and stand by one
another. We all have dreams and
struggles, experience joy and sorrow, want to be happy and
forgiven, to love and to be loved.

(02:56):
And we don't have to experience any of it alone.
Over the years, countless sponsors have offered this
assurance. I can't fix your problems, but
you won't have to face them alone.
And really, what more could we ask for?
Spiritual principle. To build solidarity with my
fellow members. I will share my struggles with

(03:19):
someone who can help or someone who might need help.
The Voices of Recovery Podcast is an independent production of
The Works of Wisdom. We welcome your questions and
donations via PayPal at [e-mail].
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated

(03:41):
with, associated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or
in any way officially connected with Narcotics Anonymous or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
While any literature may be readduring episodes for the purpose
of supporting Recovery, such usedoes not constitute an official
endorsement or representation byNarcotics Anonymous.
In accordance with any tradition, the NA name is not to

(04:03):
be used to endorse or be affiliated with any outside
enterprise, and no such endorsement or affiliation is
implied. Music is by SAGE.
Thanks for listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.