Extravagant promises

Eight months ago today I was in a car on my way to rehab. I was severely intoxicated, drifting in out of consciousness. When I was alert, death seemed like a very good option. I had reached my bottom. At the bottom, where all was dark, I could not see a ray of hope.

In rehab I was forced immediatley to attend AA meetings. I hated everything about them…everything that is except the AA Promises. I loved them the first time I heard them (even though I wouldn’t admit it out loud). The Promises gave me a glimmer of hope when I was feeling completely hopeless. It’s said that the Promises start to materialize when a person is half-way through their ninth step; the step were one makes amends to all the people they’ve harmed. I’m working on my ninth step now and…it’s happening. The Promises are materializing in my life. If you’re not familiar with them, here they are:

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them."

“Are these extravagant promises?”

Absolutely not.

Comments

[bobbie]

oh YAH! absolutely not!

i love the line about things that used to baffle us - i always felt so baffled through most of my life - serenity is such a beautiful thing!

i've said it many times, but i'll just keep saying it over and over - I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! you inspire me deb!! much love!

consider yourself hugged!

[Roger]

I remember those promises! But, for me they did not begin to materialize until I stopped "working for them" and started resting in the passionate love of the Bridegroom! It sounds like you are on the way there...

I appreciate your journey so much! Peace!

[Deb]

I agree Roger. The "working for them" for me, means working (doing, living) the Steps.

[Tom Reindl]

Ninth step already! Excellent!

I am watching with increasing joy. :)

[Fred]

They may be extravagant for those who are struggling? In the end, they're worth achieving for all of us. It's good to see them in print again.

Congrats on making it to the ninth step. Keep us posted.

[jeff]

Deb ~ It's truly exciting to see you at this place in your recovery! I'll never forget that dreadful drive to rehab. How sad it was but how amazing to see you now. You have grown and changed so much. It's beautiful! You're beautiful!

love,
jeff

[Geraldine]

Wow! Thank you, Deb for being testimony in itself. :)

[Stephanie]

Way To Go Deb!

You're making amazing progress! I know you can do this, and while it never gets easier- God gets closer. I'll be praying for you!

[anj]

Yeah!!!

[Beth Wacome Keck]

good food .. good food ..

[wilsonian]

There is no freedom like that! I am so grateful for the lessons you're sharing, Deb. This is so helpful for all of us! Praise God that the enemy's hold can be broken!

I'm proud of you too :) And really honoured to know you!
Blessings and peace...

[Hope]

Consider yourself hugged - you teach me so much about the journey. Thank you.

[Barbara]

Congratulations on such a marvelous achievement!
The promises are probably my favorite part of most meetings.
I can identify with the darkness and personal defeat. It was paralizing for me, but you know... I felt better (at least a little) right after my first meeting. It was my first ray of light and glimmer of hope that I had seen in years. _"a new happiness?" At first I thought,how could anyone be happy without drinking? But I was so wrong, there is a new happiness- indescribable happiness. Like for once you have a purpose, you belong and have a life to lead. The once ordinary soon becomes extraordinary. Caring for someone else besides me... trying to live an honest life, not being so afraid. And that's just the beginning!! Everyday that I live in sobriety-good or bad- is truly a miracle.
And so are you.
Love, Barbara

[Ken Short]

Deb, I love the article on promises. I know from experience this AA step.

Ken S.

[bruced]

It's too bad modern religion doesn't offer that kind of hope. Then again, religion is more about what you do, rather than who you know.

[Mark W.]

WOW!

[Deb]

Thanks everyone. I really should have included in the post that I now absolutely love AA meetings. I honestly don't know how anyone could be successful on this journey without them.

[Lorna]

beautiful Deb. Just beautiful!

[hanni]

wow...what an incredibly difficult step > thank you for your honesty and look forward to hearing about more promises materializing

[Steve]

I remember the painfuill times, when I was small, that my Dad would go off on one of his sprees. The strongest memories are of my Mom and the pain in her face. We spent many lonely Christmas's while he "partied". But then there were some really great ones when he was there with us. He was two different people between being sober and drunk.

But I learned a lot about love and grace in the way she stayed with him anyway. It seems as though you too have some really great support from Jeff Deb. I'm very glad for you both and thanks for being so willing to share your life with us all.