The Bay Cities Area of Narcotics Anonymous serves as a vital resource for individuals and families affected by addiction throughout the coastal South Bay region of Los Angeles County. By coordinating local NA groups, maintaining accurate meeting information, and supporting area-wide service efforts, the Bay Cities Area helps ensure that anyone seeking recovery can easily find help. The area supports meetings in these communities Carson, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Signal Hill, Torrance, Torrrance, Wilmington, strengthening connections between members, promoting unity, and fostering a safe, consistent message of recovery for the broader community.
Before coming to NA, many of us thought we were brave simply because we had never experienced fear. We had drugged all our feelings, fear among them, until we had convinced ourselves that we were tough, courageous people who wouldn't crack under any circumstances.
But finding our courage in drugs has nothing to do with the way we live our lives today. Clean and in recovery, we are bound to feel frightened at times. When we first realize we are feeling frightened, we may think we are cowards. Were afraid to pick up the phone because the person on the other end might not understand. We're afraid to ask someone to sponsor us because they might say no. We're afraid to look for a job. We're afraid to be honest with our friends. But all of these fears are natural, even healthy. What's not healthy is allowing fear to paralyze us.
When we permit our fear to stop our growth, we will be defeated. True courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to walk through it.
We hear a lot about the interpersonal difficulties that arose in that infamous NA business meeting. Perhaps too much is made of those times when there was too much talking (or shouting) and not enough listening, when fists flew or chairs were flung. Well, someone around here sure needs to practice some principles! we think. But sometimes the most pronounced ego in the room isn't an overtly sensitive newcomer's or that revered oldtimer's--some tender soul who surely needs to practice unity, patience, and understanding. Sometimes the ego that's a ticking time bomb is ours. We are the ones other members put on their resentment lists and whose sponsors advise, "Pray for them."
And being a sponsor will undoubtedly require practicing willingness, empathy, and acceptance. We worry that if we say, "Yes, I'll sponsor you," we'll mess them up worse. We're afraid of being too judgmental or not attentive enough. What if they lie to us? What if they won't do what we suggest? What if they think we suck as a sponsor and break up with us? We want to deflect the request but do it in an enlightened manner: "You'll be better off with a sponsor who can get out of their own way." Instead, we agree because that's how we were taught and that's how we want to live now.
Frankly, no one among us is able to practice principles in all of our affairs every minute of every day, from now until we are buried with the infinity medallion. But giving of ourselves--our time, energy, passion, and skills--opens us up to endless opportunities to get out of our own way. Our character defect of selfishness takes a back seat to the spiritual principle of compassion for others. We practice courage and vulnerability by committing to something we've never done before. We practice surrender when we take someone through the Twelve Steps. Humility comes up, too--and forgiveness--when someone we trust tells us the truth about how we behaved inappropriately in a business meeting.
