Just For Today - - April 26 2026

Self-Acceptance
“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.”

IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance”

Most of us came to Narcotics Anonymous without much self-acceptance. We looked at the havoc we had wreaked in our active addiction, and we loathed ourselves. We had difficulty accepting our past and the self-image produced by it.

Self-acceptance comes more quickly when we first accept that we have a disease called addiction, because it’s easier to accept ourselves as sick people than as bad people. And the easier it is to accept ourselves, the easier it becomes to accept responsibility for ourselves.

We achieve self-acceptance through the process of ongoing recovery. Working the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous teaches us to accept ourselves and our lives. Spiritual principles like surrender, honesty, faith, and humility help relieve us of the burden of our past mistakes. Our attitude changes with the application of these principles in our daily lives. Self-acceptance grows as we grow in recovery.

Just for today: Self-acceptance is a process set in motion by the Twelve Steps. Today, I will trust the process, practice the steps, and learn to better accept myself.


pg. 120

JUST FOR TODAY #essentialsofrec #acceptance #Addiction #Recovery

Self-acceptance

“When we accept ourselves, we can accept others into our lives, unconditionally probably for the first time.”

~ IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance” ~

From our earliest memories, many of us felt like we never belonged. No matter how big the gathering, we always felt apart from the crowd. We had a hard time “fitting in.” Deep down, we believed that if we really let others get to know us, they would reject us. Perhaps our addiction began to germinate in this climate of self-centeredness.

Many of us hid the pain of our alienation with an attitude of defiance. In effect, we told the world, “You don’t need me? Well, I don’t need any of you, either. I’ve got my drugs and I can take care of myself!” The further our addiction progressed, the higher the walls we built around ourselves.

Those walls begin to fall when we start finding acceptance from other recovering addicts. With this acceptance from others, we begin to learn the important principle of self-acceptance. And when we start to accept ourselves, we can allow others to take part in our lives without fear of rejection.

Just for today: I am accepted in NA; I fit in. Today, it’s safe to start letting others into my life.

© 1991 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc

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Just For Today - 9th February 2026

Self-acceptance

“When we accept ourselves, we can accept others into our lives, unconditionally probably for the first time.”

IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance”

From our earliest memories, many of us felt like we never belonged. No matter how big the gathering, we always felt apart from the crowd. We had a hard time “fitting in.” Deep down, we believed that if we really let others get to know us, they would reject us. Perhaps our addiction began to germinate in this climate of self-centeredness.

Many of us hid the pain of our alienation with an attitude of defiance. In effect, we told the world, “You don’t need me? Well, I don’t need any of you, either. I’ve got my drugs and I can take care of myself!” The further our addiction progressed, the higher the walls we built around ourselves.

Those walls begin to fall when we start finding acceptance from other recovering addicts. With this acceptance from others, we begin to learn the important principle of self-acceptance. And when we start to accept ourselves, we can allow others to take part in our lives without fear of rejection.

Just for today: I am accepted in NA; I fit in. Today, it’s safe to start letting others into my life.

Just For Today #essentialsofrecovery

Self-Acceptance

“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.”

IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance”

Most of us came to Narcotics Anonymous without much self-acceptance. We looked at the havoc we had wreaked in our active addiction, and we loathed ourselves. We had difficulty accepting our past and the self-image produced by it.

Self-acceptance comes more quickly when we first accept that we have a disease called addiction, because it’s easier to accept ourselves as sick people than as bad people. And the easier it is to accept ourselves, the easier it becomes to accept responsibility for ourselves.

We achieve self-acceptance through the process of ongoing recovery. Working the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous teaches us to accept ourselves and our lives. Spiritual principles like surrender, honesty, faith, and humility help relieve us of the burden of our past mistakes. Our attitude changes with the application of these principles in our daily lives. Self-acceptance grows as we grow in recovery.

Just for today: Self-acceptance is a process set in motion by the Twelve Steps. Today, I will trust the process, practice the steps, and learn to better accept myself.
pg. 120 

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Just For Today #essentialsofrecovery

Self-Acceptance

“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.”

IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance”

Most of us came to Narcotics Anonymous without much self-acceptance. We looked at the havoc we had wreaked in our active addiction, and we loathed ourselves. We had difficulty accepting our past and the self-image produced by it.

Self-acceptance comes more quickly when we first accept that we have a disease called addiction, because it’s easier to accept ourselves as sick people than as bad people. And the easier it is to accept ourselves, the easier it becomes to accept responsibility for ourselves.

We achieve self-acceptance through the process of ongoing recovery. Working the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous teaches us to accept ourselves and our lives. Spiritual principles like surrender, honesty, faith, and humility help relieve us of the burden of our past mistakes. Our attitude changes with the application of these principles in our daily lives. Self-acceptance grows as we grow in recovery.

Just for today: Self-acceptance is a process set in motion by the Twelve Steps. Today, I will trust the process, practice the steps, and learn to better accept myself.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Just For Today #essentialsofrecovery

Self-acceptance

“When we accept ourselves, we can accept others into our lives, unconditionally probably for the first time.”

IP No. 19, “Self-Acceptance”

From our earliest memories, many of us felt like we never belonged. No matter how big the gathering, we always felt apart from the crowd. We had a hard time “fitting in.” Deep down, we believed that if we really let others get to know us, they would reject us. Perhaps our addiction began to germinate in this climate of self-centeredness.

Many of us hid the pain of our alienation with an attitude of defiance. In effect, we told the world, “You don’t need me? Well, I don’t need any of you, either. I’ve got my drugs and I can take care of myself!” The further our addiction progressed, the higher the walls we built around ourselves.

Those walls begin to fall when we start finding acceptance from other recovering addicts. With this acceptance from others, we begin to learn the important principle of self-acceptance. And when we start to accept ourselves, we can allow others to take part in our lives without fear of rejection.

Just for today: I am accepted in NA; I fit in. Today, it’s safe to start letting others into my life.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrecovery

FIXING THINGS THAT AREN’T BROKEN

Self-Acceptance

At the beginning of our AA sobriety, we were reminded that we were not reformers. Yet we sometimes have a tendency to want to “reform” ourselves or others after we’ve established sobriety.

This can become a practice of “fixing things that aren’t broken.” We may not realize it, but many things in our lives and personalities were always all right, all along. In believing that we should be changed, we may be taking on the opinions of someone else. There might be no need for change at all.

We also may be trying to please people who disapproved of us. Perhaps we’re trying to obtain the affection of a parent who always rejected us. But if we’re already on a spiritual path and are living rightly, there’s no need for change. We’d be trying to fix something that isn’t broken.

I’ll accept myself and others as we are today. We are not out to reform anyone, including ourselves.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrecovery

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105 ~

I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic and urgent life-task is to accept, know, love and nurture myself. As I accept myself, I am accepting God’s will. As I know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I nurture myself I am acting on God’s guidance.

I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self- criticism, and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring for myself.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc

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A WOMAN’S SPIRIT #essentialsofrecovery

As I learn self-acceptance, I have less need to rely on others to feel tall.

~ Kathy Kendall ~

How do we develop self-acceptance? What does it feel like? During the initial stages of our recovery, self-acceptance probably didn’t sound all that difficult to attain. But now we know the truth: practicing self-acceptance is rarely easy. Judging ourselves as failures and putting ourselves down for our mistakes has become habitual and “easy” to do; practicing self-acceptance, by contrast, is at first much more difficult.

While struggling to like ourselves, we perhaps fall easily into the trap of building ourselves up by judging others. As our recovery strengthens, however, we feel increasingly uncomfortable, even shameful, about judging others. And shame makes us feel even less acceptable.

Coming to believe that we have been chosen for this journey, that we have a caring Higher Power who loves us, is the best route to self-acceptance. When we’re finally comfortable with the idea that we each have a gift that’s unique, we’ll no longer struggle to accept ourselves.

I really am as good as I need to be today. Being here, now, means I have a unique gift to give.

© 1994 by Hazelden Foundation 

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrecovery

FIXING THINGS THAT AREN’T BROKEN

Self-Acceptance

At the beginning of our AA sobriety, we were reminded that we were not reformers. Yet we sometimes have a tendency to want to “reform” ourselves or others after we’ve established sobriety.

This can become a practice of “fixing things that aren’t broken.” We may not realize it, but many things in our lives and personalities were always all right, all along. In believing that we should be changed, we may be taking on the opinions of someone else. There might be no need for change at all.

We also may be trying to please people who disapproved of us. Perhaps we’re trying to obtain the affection of a parent who always rejected us. But if we’re already on a spiritual path and are living rightly, there’s no need for change. We’d be trying to fix something that isn’t broken.

I’ll accept myself and others as we are today. We are not out to reform anyone, including ourselves.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrecovery

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.

~ TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105 ~

I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic and urgent life-task is to accept, know, love and nurture myself. As I accept myself, I am accepting God’s will. As I know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I nurture myself I am acting on God’s guidance.

I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self- criticism, and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring for myself.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

JUST FOR TODAY #essentialsofrecovery

The Path to Self-Acceptance

“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.”

~ IP No.19, “Self-Acceptance” ~

Our addiction has been a source of shame to many of us. We have hidden ourselves from others, sure that if anyone got to know who we really were they would reject us. NA helps us learn self-acceptance.

Many of us find a great deal of relief just from attending meetings, hearing fellow addicts share their stories, and discovering that others have felt the same way we feel about ourselves. When others share honestly with us who they are, we feel free to do the same. As we learn to tell others the truth about ourselves, we learn to accept ourselves.

Self-disclosure, however, is only the beginning. Once we’ve shared the things that make us uncomfortable with our lives, we need to find a different way to live – and that’s where the steps come in. We develop a concept of a Higher Power. We inventory our lives, in detail, and discuss our inventory with our sponsor. We ask the God of our understanding to remove our character defects, the shortcomings that are the source of our troubles. We take responsibility for the things we’ve done and make amends for them. And we incorporate all these disciplines into our daily lives, “practicing these principles in all our affairs.”

By working the steps, we can become people we are proud to be. We can freely tell the truth about ourselves, for we have nothing to hide.

Just for today: I will walk the path to self-acceptance. I will show up, tell the truth, and work the steps.

© 1991 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc. 

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The Serenity Prayer Broken Down #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Serenity #Prayer

The Serenity Prayer Broken Down 

GOD ....

Saying of this word I am admitting the existence of a Higher Power; a being far greater than myself.

GRANT...

Repeating  this word I am admitting that this Higher Power has the authority to bestow and give.

ME...

I am asking  for myself. The Bible states that if I ask, I shall be given. It is not wrong to ask for betterment of self for with the improvement of  character, people around me will be  happier.

SERENITY...

I am asking for calmness, composure, and peace in a life which will enable me to think straight and govern myself properly.

TO ACCEPT...

I am resigning myself to conditions as they are right now. 

THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE...

I am accepting my lot in life as it is. Until I have the courage to change any part of my life I don't like, I must accept it and not accept it grudgingly.

COURAGE... 

I am asking for courage. I am asking for conditions to be different.

TO CHANGE... 

I am asking for a quality of spirit to face conditions without flinching.

THE THINGS I CAN...

I am asking for help to make the right decisions. Everything is not perfect in my life. I must continue to face reality and constantly work towards continued growth and progress.
WISDOM...

I am asking for the ability to form sound judgements in any and all matters.

TO KNOW...

I want to be able to understand clearly, truths of facts.

the DIFFERENCE...

I want to see things differently in my life so there can be some distinction. I need to sense a definite value in love over selfishness.

~ anonymous

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A WOMAN’S SPIRIT #essentialsofrec #Acceptance #Self-Acceptance

 10
December

As I learn self-acceptance, I have less need to rely on others to feel tall.
~ Kathy Kendall 

How do we develop self-acceptance? What does it feel like? During the initial stages of our recovery, self-acceptance probably didn’t sound all that difficult to attain. But now we know the truth: practicing self-acceptance is rarely easy. Judging ourselves as failures and putting ourselves down for our mistakes has become habitual and “easy” to do; practicing self-acceptance, by contrast, is at first much more difficult.

While struggling to like ourselves, we perhaps fall easily into the trap of building ourselves up by judging others. As our recovery strengthens, however, we feel increasingly uncomfortable, even shameful, about judging others. And shame makes us feel even less acceptable.

Coming to believe that we have been chosen for this journey, that we have a caring Higher Power who loves us, is the best route to self-acceptance. When we’re finally comfortable with the idea that we each have a gift that’s unique, we’ll no longer struggle to accept ourselves.

I really am as good as I need to be today. Being here, now, means I have a unique gift to give.
© 1994 by Hazelden Foundation

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec

WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #Acceptance

  9

December

FIXING THINGS THAT AREN’T BROKEN

Self-Acceptance

At the beginning of our AA sobriety, we were reminded that we were not reformers. Yet we sometimes have a tendency to want to “reform” ourselves or others after we’ve established sobriety.

This can become a practice of “fixing things that aren’t broken.” We may not realize it, but many things in our lives and personalities were always all right, all along. In believing that we should be changed, we may be taking on the opinions of someone else. There might be no need for change at all.

We also may be trying to please people who disapproved of us. Perhaps we’re trying to obtain the affection of a parent who always rejected us. But if we’re already on a spiritual path and are living rightly, there’s no need for change. We’d be trying to fix something that isn’t broken.

I’ll accept myself and others as we are today. We are not out to reform anyone, including ourselves.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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JUST FOR TODAY #essentialsofrec #Self-Acceptance #Recovery

18

November

Self-discovery

“The Tenth Step can help us correct our living problems and prevent their recurrence.”

~ Basic Text p. 41 

Our identities, how we think and feel, have been shaped by our experiences. Some of our experiences have made us better people; others have caused us shame or embarrassment; all of them have influenced who we are today. We can take advantage of the knowledge gained in examining our mistakes, using this wisdom to guide the decisions we’ll make today.

Acceptance of ourselves means accepting all aspects of ourselves – our assets, our defects, our successes, and our failures. Shame and guilt left unaddressed can paralyze us, preventing us from moving forward in our lives. Some of the most meaningful amends we can make for the mistakes of our past are made simply by acting differently today. We strive for improvement and measure our success by comparing who we used to be with who we are now.

Being human, we will continue making mistakes; however, we need not make the same ones over and over again. By looking over our past and realizing that we have changed and grown, we’ll find hope for the future. The best is yet to come.

Just for today: I will do the best I can with what I have today. Each day I’ll learn something new that will help me tomorrow.

© 1991 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc

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DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrec #Self-Acceptance #Recovery

 11
November

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105 ~

I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic and urgent life-task is to accept, know, love and nurture myself. As I accept myself, I am accepting God’s will. As I know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I nurture myself I am acting on God’s guidance.

I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self- criticism, and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring for myself.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Acceptance

  9
November
ACCEPTANCE


“Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.”

— Henry Fielding

The acceptance of my disease has brought me into recovery. If I had not known and confronted the disease of addiction in my life, I would not know the joys of sobriety and serenity. Spirituality involves facing my disease.

Today I believe that had I not seen my dishonesty, I could not fully appreciate honesty. If I had not recognized the lies and games in my life, I could never have appreciated the “openness” and freedom of sobriety. Owning my violence brought me to peace and tolerance. Facing my hell gave me a glimpse of paradise.

The disease was not only my prison but when accepted, became the key to recovery. Spirituality, finding God in our lives, requires a “rigorous honesty” that uses the past pain to experience today’s gratitude.

God, it is through the acceptance of my failings that I can love the world.

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JUST FOR TODAY #essentialsofrec #Acceptance #Recovery #NA

26
October

The Path to Self-Acceptance

“The most effective means of achieving self-acceptance is through applying the Twelve Steps of recovery.”

 IP No.19, “Self-Acceptance” 

Our addiction has been a source of shame to many of us. We have hidden ourselves from others, sure that if anyone got to know who we really were they would reject us. NA helps us learn self-acceptance.

Many of us find a great deal of relief just from attending meetings, hearing fellow addicts share their stories, and discovering that others have felt the same way we feel about ourselves. When others share honestly with us who they are, we feel free to do the same. As we learn to tell others the truth about ourselves, we learn to accept ourselves.

Self-disclosure, however, is only the beginning. Once we’ve shared the things that make us uncomfortable with our lives, we need to find a different way to live – and that’s where the steps come in. We develop a concept of a Higher Power. We inventory our lives, in detail, and discuss our inventory with our sponsor. We ask the God of our understanding to remove our character defects, the shortcomings that are the source of our troubles. We take responsibility for the things we’ve done and make amends for them. And we incorporate all these disciplines into our daily lives, “practicing these principles in all our affairs.”

By working the steps, we can become people we are proud to be. We can freely tell the truth about ourselves, for we have nothing to hide.

Just for today: I will walk the path to self-acceptance. I will show up, tell the truth, and work the steps.

© 1991 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc.

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