Just for Today – December 10 – Winners

“I started to imitate some of the things the winners were doing. I got caught up in NA. I felt good….”
– Basic Text, page 223

In recovery, the term “winner” doesn’t refer to material success or social status. Winners are recovering addicts who live by spiritual principles, actively work their program, and remain clean one day at a time. By following their example, we can adopt positive habits that strengthen our recovery and help us grow into our own version of a winner.

Who Are the Winners in NA?

Winners in Narcotics Anonymous are identified not by their circumstances but by their actions and attitudes. These individuals:

• Work the Program: Winners attend meetings, work the steps, and seek guidance from their sponsors.
• Stay Positive: Even in challenging times, they maintain faith in their Higher Power and the recovery process.
• Practice Service: Winners extend their hands to newcomers, share their experience, and support the fellowship.
• Live the Principles: They prioritize unity, humility, and anonymity, putting principles before personalities.

While winners are not perfect, they strive to live authentically and grow in their recovery journey.

Learning from Winners

Newcomers often hear the advice to “stick with the winners.” By observing and emulating those who demonstrate healthy recovery practices, we can incorporate those behaviors into our own lives.

What We Learn from Winners:

1. Resilience: Winners show us how to navigate difficulties without resorting to old behaviors.
2. Consistency: Regular attendance at meetings and commitment to the steps are hallmarks of winners.
3. Humor and Humility: Winners can laugh at themselves, keeping recovery lighthearted while taking their program seriously.

By staying close to winners, we see how recovery works and gain hope for our own lives.

Becoming a Winner

Every recovering addict has the potential to be a winner. It starts with a commitment to clean living and a willingness to grow.

Steps to Embrace the Winner’s Mindset:

1. Stay Clean, Just for Today: Prioritize staying clean above all else.
2. Be of Service: Help others, whether it’s sharing in a meeting, making coffee, or welcoming newcomers.
3. Work the Steps: Engage deeply with the Twelve Steps to build a strong foundation for recovery.
4. Practice Gratitude: Focus on the blessings of recovery rather than its challenges.

By striving to embody these principles, we grow into our own version of a winner.

Recognizing the Winner Within

Winners are not perfect—they are people who make mistakes, learn from them, and continue to grow. If we’re clean today and doing our best to work our program, we are already winners. Recovery is not about achieving perfection; it’s about progress and commitment to a better way of life.