Below you will find her complete email as last night I received her
written permission to use it in its entirety as long as I included her signature
line with blog and web site so here it is…..Ms Lauren Kennedy
Dr. Reverend Issac,

I embrace your statement on self forgiveness. I lived for many years in a
self created hell on earth. Seventeen years ago, I began my journey back to
my true self. The transformations in my life and in myself would have been
impossible had I not chosen to forgive myself. Although I must say, there
was quite a lot more effort involved than just making a choice. That was
just the first step.

I have overcome an eating disorder, a 20 year drug addiction, rape,
abusive relationships, prison and the suicide of my only sibling. And while God
didn't do it for me, I could never have done it without reconnecting to
Divine guidance and the Divine within.

However, I must take exception to your understanding of AA. While I
attended NA (Narcotics Anonymous) for years when I first began my journey, both
AA and NA are based on similar concepts. Sometimes people in the meetings
do say that they could not have done it without their Higher Power. But the
message of the 12 Steps, which are the program, stress personal
responsibility and accountability, and yes, connecting with a spiritual source.

A line in the readings before each meaning emphasizes personal
responsibility: "Through our inability to accept personal responsibility we were
actually creating our own problems."

And: "We are responsible for our own recovery."

Even the first step is often misinterpreted: "We admitted that we are
powerless over our addiction, and that our lives had become unmanageable."

Many people think that we are claiming that we are powerless. That is
incorrect. It means that our active addiction renders us powerless to make
responsible choices and to adhere to our principles. It means that we can no
longer guarantee that we will have just one drink or one smoke, one hit,
spend only $20 gambling, etc. But once we stop using the addiction of choice,
we can regain our sense of empowerment.

But NA is about recovery from the effects and causes of our addiction, not
simply abstinence. There are some people who just attend meetings and do
not apply the concepts of the 12 steps. Some are there only because they are
court ordered. Others believe that their addiction was their only problem.
So as long as they can remain abstinent, they fell no need to take a look
at their behavior, deal with their feelings or change their attitude.
However, they are frequently unhappy or living in quiet desperation. They have
not resolved the issues behind their addiction. And they have no experience
in applying the 12 steps in their lives.

The 12 steps are concepts that guide us to self forgiveness,
responsibility, conscious connection to one's Higher Power, self honesty, courage, and
healthy choices. But the basis concept of NA can be summed up in four lines
of the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we can not change,
The courage to change the things we can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

We are responsible for our own choices, intentions and actions. But we do
ask our Higher Power for strength, courage, wisdom and guidance. And that
is a significant difference.

I rarely attend meetings anymore. My life is busy and I also have health
issues. But applying the 12 steps in my life was the foundation and the
starting point of not only my recovery, but my on going pursuit to reach my
highest potential, to assist and guide others to improve their lives and self
worth, and to express to the best of my ability, my authentic self and
the Divine within.

Since more and more frequently, I am reading similar misperception about
NA, I appreciate the opportunity to explain the true concepts of the NA
program. Unfortunately, even some NA meetings get off track. Some groups are
healthier than others, as with any large organization.

Thank you again for providing me this opportunity to share my experience.

Lauren Kennedy

http://www.InsitetoExcellence.com
http://laurenpkennedy.wordpress.com

Thank you Lauren for your from the heart message and I encourage others to
visit her site and read her articles as she is an awesome communicator.

And it reminds me of why I do this for I do love you all and Believe in
YOU

Blessings and happy holidays
Rev. Isaac
of
the Angelic Messenger Circle
http://www.wisaac3rd.com
wisaac3rd@aol.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/inspiration-spiritual

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