Topic for the week: WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE AA PROMISE?
I have to admit I made many promises that I did not keep. I heard many that others didn’t keep either. It took a while for me to realize there are AA Promises. Of course I met them with my usual skepticism. Until I read them at the suggestion of my sponsor when I was complaining that sober life was no big deal for all the work I had to put in.
The Promises are a collection of miracles. Favoring one is like asking me to pick my favorite candy from a box of chocolates. Individual Promises, to me, seem to have more special meaning at different times in sobriety. They are listed in this share for your reference. This is the ‘sometimes quickly’ topic and all that is asked of me is to be painstaking about my development (or, as I would say, work, work, work).
I will know a new freedom, a new happiness before I am halfway done. These took effect little by little, as soon as I entered the AA rooms. (I admit I used to busy myself with figuring out what ‘half way done’ was!)
I will not regret the past nor shut the door on it. As I work the Steps, I see myself in a different light. I may feel guilt or shame. These feelings start to ease up. I accept myself, I know my Higher Power accepts me. I know you will love me until I love myself.
No matter how far down the scale I’ve gone, my experience can benefit others. I am not alone. I am not the worst nor the best. I am not a saint. When I share my story, I share the hope that sobriety is possible, no matter what. Uselessness and self-pity go away. No more pity parties for me!
My self-centeredness lifts. I will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in my fellows. When in all my drinking years could I say this! Self-seeking will slip away. I will do service and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. My whole attitude and outlook on life will change. For me, a shift from being an angry, lost woman began.
Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave me. On my personal hierarchy of fear, these two issues are at the top. These are some of the Promises that have trickled down for me.
For this know-it-all woman, I learned to (really) handle situations which used to baffle me. You will recall, I was in charge and knew it all when I got here. This is powerful for me!
Back to the first three Steps, I suddenly realize that God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. No doubt about that! This Promise comes true and keeps on recurring.
My fav? The ‘no matter how far down the scale…’ one is my favorite. What is yours? When did Promises start to come true for you? Have they ever stopped? Do you believe in them? Aren’t they miracles! hgz, b. 9/21/83