October 9: Spiritual Principle a Day, read by Sabina

Spiritual Principle a Day for October 9, read by Sabina

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October 9

Staying Open-Minded to New Ideas

"Being open-minded allows us to hear something that might save our lives. It allows us to listen to opposing points of view, and come to conclusions of our own."

—Basic Text, Chapter 9: Just for Today—Living the Program

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There are a lot of opinions in NA about NA, and yet, there are few beliefs about recovery in Narcotics Anonymous that are universally held by all of us. Certainly, we are an abstinence- based program, and the NA basics are made clear in our literature: meetings, Steps, sponsorship, service, and a relationship with a Higher Power. Our primary purpose of carrying the message to other addicts is also plainly stated. In addition to our Steps, we have the Traditions and Concepts to assist us in meeting that purpose.

While NA’s basics are explicit, how we apply them is not. As newcomers, we are told to listen as if our lives depended on it—because they do. It is through practicing open- mindedness that we can find our personal journey in recovery using the basics in the ways that work best for us. When we’re new, we have no idea how to work a program of recovery—though sometimes we think we do and have no problem saying so. Mostly, we rely on sponsors and other more experienced members to show us how they do it. This is where some members’ very passionate and sometimes opposing views arise—for example, how many meetings we should be attending, how to work Step Ten, or how long to hang on to a service position. But there’s no exact blueprint for working a program of recovery, no model of the recovering addict. All we know is what has worked for us.

The longer we stay clean, the more difficult it can become to stay open-minded, curious, and flexible. True, we find things that work for us and keep doing them. But we need to be mindful of becoming rigid in the face of our evolving lives. A new job or relationship or a sudden hardship might merit a different approach from what we’re used to. We may find ourselves, just as we did in early recovery, asserting what we think we know, instead of listening and being open to others’ perspectives and input. Wherever we are in our recovery, open-mindedness doesn’t mean that we have to change our views or our actions, but it means we are listening and exploring different options.

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Spiritual Principle:

When I find myself reluctant to hear others’ ideas, I’ll take note of what’s getting in the way. Then I’ll listen with an open mind and draw my own conclusions.

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© 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 the Day episode featuring a
recovering addict. Hi, my name is Sabina.

(00:24):
My clean date is September 9th, 2000.
You're listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is the spiritual principle of the day for October 9th.
Staying open minded to new ideas.
Being open minded allows us to hear something that might save

(00:48):
our lives. It allows us to listen to
opposing points of view and cometo conclusions of our own basic
text. Chapter 9.
Just for today living the program.
There are a lot of opinions in NA about NA and yet there are

(01:09):
few beliefs about recovery in Narcotics Anonymous that are
universally held by all of us. Certainly, we are an abstinence
based program and the NA basics are made clear in our
literature, meetings, steps, sponsorship, service, and a
relationship with a higher power.

(01:33):
Our primary purpose of carrying the message to other addicts is
also plainly stated. In addition to our steps, we
have the traditions and conceptsto assist us in meeting that
purpose. While Annie's basics are
explicit, how we apply them is not.

(01:54):
As newcomers, we are told to listen as if our lives depended
on it, because they do. It is through practicing open
mindedness that we can find our personal journey in recovery,
using the basics in the ways that work best for us.
When we're new, we have no idea how to work a program of

(02:14):
recovery, though sometimes we think we do and have no problem
saying so. Mostly we rely on our sponsors
and other more experienced members to show us how they do
it. This is where some members very
passionate and sometimes opposing views arise.
For example, how many meetings we should be attending, how to

(02:38):
work Step 10, or how long to hang on to a service position.
But there's no exact blueprint for working a program of
recovery, no model of the recovering addict.
All we know is that it has worked for us.
The longer we stay clean, the more difficult it can be to stay

(02:58):
open minded, curious and flexible.
True, we find things that work for us and keep doing them.
But we need to be mindful of becoming rigid in the face of
our evolving lives. A new job or relationship or a
sudden hardship might merit a different approach from what

(03:18):
we're used to. We may find ourselves, just as
we did in early recovery, asserting what we think we know
instead of listening and being open to others perspectives and
input. Whether we are in our recovery,
open mindedness doesn't mean that we have to change our views

(03:39):
or our actions, but it means we are listening and exploring
different options. Spiritual Principle.
When I find myself reluctant to hear others ideas, I'll take
note of what's getting in the way.
Then I'll listen with an open mind and draw my own

(04:00):
conclusions. 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 affiliatedwith, associated with,

(04:21):
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 read
during episodes for the purpose of supporting recovery, such use
does not constitute an official endorsement or representation by
Narcotics Anonymous. In accordance with any
tradition, the NA name is not tobe used to endorse or be

(04:43):
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.