November 19

The language of empathy

“...the addict would find from the start as much identification as each needed to convince himself that he could stay clean, by the example of others who had recovered for many years.”

Basic Text, p. 88

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Many of us attended our first meeting and, not being entirely sure that NA was for us, found much to criticize. Either we felt as though no one had suffered like we had or that we hadn’t suffered enough. But as we listened we started to hear something new, a wordless language with its roots in recognition, belief, and faith: the language of empathy. Desiring to belong, we kept listening.

We find all the identification we need as we learn to understand and speak the language of empathy. To understand this special language, we listen with our hearts. The language of empathy uses few words; it feels more than it speaks. It doesn’t preach or lecture—it listens. It can reach out and touch the spirit of another addict without a single spoken word.

Fluency in the language of empathy comes to us through practice. The more we use it with other addicts and our Higher Power, the more we understand this language. It keeps us coming back.

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Just for today: I will listen with my heart. With each passing day, I will become more fluent in the language of empathy.

Copyright (c) 2007-2022, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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List of Meetings I make:

Feel the Love Group of NA - Zoom id 348 006 1380 passcode 466529 Mondays at 7-8:30 EDT, mute yourself upon entry, raise your hand to share.

WE NEED SUPPORT, please join us, I chair the zoom part and someone else who goes to the in person part chairs that. It. is a hybrid meeting.

24-7 International Online NA Marathon Meeting: zoom id # 494-965-5895 passcode: 1953. Make a meeting anytime any day when you need it!

9am (EDT) Wake Up Manhattan: 918-018-0710 Passcode 918018 M-F Only

Daily Conscious Contact 11th Step NA Meeting 10am EDT:
zoom id # -862-9137-5466 passcode: 232323.

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