Welcome to the Central Coast Area of Narcotics Anonymous
Serving: Paso Robles, Cambria, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria, Lompoc
" The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel "
Just for today daily meditation
November 02, 2026 |
Living with unresolved problems |
| Page 320 |
| "It makes a difference to have friends who care if we hurt." |
| Basic Text, p. 56 |
| For most of our problems, the solution is simple. We call our sponsor, pray, work the steps, or go to a meeting. But what about those situations where the burden is ongoing and there's no end in sight? Most of us know what it's like to live with a painful situation--a problem that just isn't going to disappear. For some of us, the problem is an incurable, life-threatening illness. Some of us have incorrigible children. Some of us find that our earnings simply don't cover our living expenses. Some of us care for a chronically ill friend or family member. Those of us who have ever had to live with an unresolved problem know the relief that comes from just talking about our problem with our recovering friends. We may get some comic relief. Our friends may commiserate or cry in sympathy. Whatever they do, they ease our burden. They may not be able to solve our problem for us or take away our painful feelings, but just knowing that we are loved and cared about makes our problems bearable. We never have to be alone with our pain again. |
| Just for Today: Those problems I can't resolve can be made bearable by talking to a friend. Today, I will call someone who cares. |
| Copyright (c) 2007-2026, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
A Spiritual principle a day
November 02, 2026 |
Being Vigilant in the Here and Now |
| Page 317 |
| "We must be willing to do whatever is necessary to recover." |
| Basic Text, Chapter 9: Just for Today—Living the Program |
| "I always remind myself: Yesterday's recovery won't keep me clean today," a self-described chronic relapser shared as they celebrated a major milestone. "Vigilance--right here, right now--has been key for me," they explained. "I learned the hard way that the real work of recovery is that I have to be willing to do whatever's necessary. And I need to take time to be still and figure out what that is at any given moment."
As spiritual principles go, vigilance is kind of a rock star. It's thick with meaning, pairing watchfulness with deliberate action. We start our practice of vigilance simply by paying attention. We level up from basic abstinence to a meaningful recovery when we choose to be active in our program, self-reflective, and flexible, fine-tuning our approach as our personal program evolves.
In the beginning, going to lots of meetings and not taking anything between them has the desired effect; a clear head and a bit of hope make for a great start. It's enough to keep us coming back. Listening to other members' stories makes us want more. A member shared, "If I want more out of my program, I've got to put more in." Inspired, we get a sponsor, cultivate a relationship with a Higher Power, and make steady progress through the Steps. As a result, we get more and more comfortable in our own skin.
Vigilance helps us to settle into our new way of life, applying what we've learned about spiritual principles in our daily affairs. We make time to reflect and fine-tune our approach as we move through life clean. As we remain watchful, we may notice that our emotional life, our thinking, our physical selves, or spiritual condition will still get out of whack from time to time. That's because we're human and because things change. But life's lessons have revealed a process for navigating through our difficulties, regaining focus, and reconnecting with ourselves, those who care about us, and a Higher Power. |
| I am an addict every day, but today I choose to be a recovering addict. I'm willing to do what's necessary to care for my spiritual condition and stay watchful over my program. |
| Copyright (c) 2007-2026, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
WHAT IS THE NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM?
NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is that they work.
For more information on Narcotics Anonymous,
please go to the:
Narcotics Anonymous World Services Website,
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