Active addiction set us apart from society, isolating us. Fear was at the core of that alienation. We believed that if we let others get to know us, they would only find out how terribly flawed we were. Rejection would be only a short step away.

When we come to our first NA meeting, we are usually impressed by the familiarity and friendliness we see other recovering addicts share. We, too, can quickly become a part of this fellowship, if we allow ourselves to. One way to start is by tagging along to the local coffee shop after the meeting.

At these gatherings, we can let down the walls that separate us from others and discover things about ourselves and other NA members. One on one, we can sometimes disclose things that we may be reluctant to share at the group level. We learn to make small talk at many of these late-night gatherings and forge deep, strong friendships as well.

With our newfound friends in NA, we no longer have to live lives of isolation. We can become a part of the greater whole, the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.

Before we started using, many of us dreamt of what we might become when we grew up and what direction life might take us in. Active addiction dampened any vision we may have had for ourselves in the future. We spent all of our time pursuing selfish desires to escape reality. The world became very small with each day planned around how and when we would get high.

In recovery, we begin to see the big picture outside of ourselves. After clearing the wreckage of our addiction, most of us begin to feed our spirits in ways that help us connect to the world around us: acts of generosity, creativity, and community building. Searching for meaning and purpose in our lives becomes a part of our spiritual journey.

Discovering a sense of purpose can be pivotal in our recovery. We begin to find meaning in helping others. We offer kindness and compassion to others, and, in return, we experience an unparalleled sense of joy and happiness. This reciprocal relationship is the essence of goodwill, feeding our spirit and the spirits of those we serve.

Being of service in Narcotics Anonymous and showing up with integrity can pave the road out of self-obsession and into a more optimistic sense of self. As we start to show up for ourselves and others, we begin to feel better and enjoy a newfound sense of purpose.

When we take a moment to look at how our efforts help others, we begin to discover who we were meant to be all along.