While we were using, many of us were unable or unwilling to feel many emotions. If we were happy, we used to make us happier. If we were angry or depressed, we used to mask those feelings. In continuing this pattern throughout our active addiction, we became so emotionally confused that we weren't sure what normal emotions were anymore.

After being in recovery for some time, we find that the emotions we had suppressed suddenly begin to surface. We may find that we do not know how to identify our feelings. What we may be feeling as rage may only be frustration. What we perceive as suicidal depression may simply be sadness. These are the times when we need to seek the assistance of our sponsor or other members of NA. Going to a meeting and talking about what is happening in our lives can help us to face our feelings instead of running from them in fear.

Our Traditions enable NA to bring addicts from all walks of life together in a single Fellowship. We often remark how addiction does not discriminate, so neither should we. Tradition Three ensures an open policy of membership, and Tradition Ten helps us learn to leave our outside baggage at the door when we join together in recovery. Unity, anonymity, common welfare—our Traditions are rich with principles guiding us to better embrace one another "regardless of."

It all sounds great in theory, but it's the practice that really matters. As in NA, many other organizations value principles like unity and acceptance; they appear in their mission statements and may inspire principled actions to varying degrees. That, of course, is none of our business. We keep our focus where it should be: on what happens in NA. In our groups and service bodies, and as individuals, are we embodying the principles we hold dear? As we stay clean and carry the message, the connections between our experience as recovering addicts, our primary purpose, and NA unity become much clearer.

An H&I trusted servant wrote, "I served on a jail panel with a couple of other members, and we joked that we were like characters in a bad TV show—a former gang member, a retired cop, and me, a defense attorney. We shared together twice a month for a few years, and now we are bonded for life."

No matter what our differences are, carrying the message joins us together in a special way. We addicts are uniquely qualified to help other addicts. We have been there! This helps newcomers trust our message—and grow to trust us, too—in spite of our surface-level differences. Sharing and serving together with other members helps us deepen that trust.

Our message is truly a tie binding us together that is stronger than anything that might tear us apart.