Post by THE FOURTH PROMISE on Mar 1, 2004 3:55:45 GMT -5
The fourth promise states, No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. This promise pointedly reminds sober alcoholics to look for similarities, no differences, in fellow A.A. members.
This promise assures us that we belong. We rightlfully share a sense of value within society with millions of other recovering addicts. As victims of alcohol, we felt we were less than others. We were full of shame and guilt for what we had become. In our first days in A.A. we believed none of those nice sober people would have anything to do with us if they found out what failures we were.
Surprisingly, we learn our sordid pasts and horrid behavior can help others relate to us. We thin, "If they can make it, why not me?" Beginners are told, "Keep coming to meetings and you'll hear your story coming out of the mouths of others." Our drunkalogues ae never so unique that they won't be topped again and again by fellow alcoholics.
The practice of holding nothing back helps us identify with others, not compare. The caste system and generation gap go out the window in A.A. We quickly agree our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends on our unity.
It becomes almost impossible for a recovering alcoholic to deceive fellow members who already have heard all the lies, cop-outs, and alibis. Denial, the number one symptom of addiction, gets nowhere with a group of recovering alcoholics.
One important idea behind this promise is that the realities of drinking will reach not only the 'helpless, hopeless boozer" but also the "high-bottom alcoholic" who may be struggling to admit he or she belongs in A.A.
Relating and identifying will always be key words in reaching a drinking, still-suffering alcoholic, because recovering drinkers who tell their past experience abound the sinceriity. Words that come from the heart always reach the hearts of those who need to hear them.
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In my early recovery, I couldn't go to many open meetings because I did compare instead of identify. I would hear a speaker and say, "Well I didn't do that. I didn't do this! I didn't like beer! I didn't have black-outs!" and I kept me sick for a long time, because of identifying with the feelings instead of the actions.
I found we all used for the same reasons, we all took different roots to get here, but when we get here, we have the same purpose for being, to stay sober, one day at a time.
This promise assures us that we belong. We rightlfully share a sense of value within society with millions of other recovering addicts. As victims of alcohol, we felt we were less than others. We were full of shame and guilt for what we had become. In our first days in A.A. we believed none of those nice sober people would have anything to do with us if they found out what failures we were.
Surprisingly, we learn our sordid pasts and horrid behavior can help others relate to us. We thin, "If they can make it, why not me?" Beginners are told, "Keep coming to meetings and you'll hear your story coming out of the mouths of others." Our drunkalogues ae never so unique that they won't be topped again and again by fellow alcoholics.
The practice of holding nothing back helps us identify with others, not compare. The caste system and generation gap go out the window in A.A. We quickly agree our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends on our unity.
It becomes almost impossible for a recovering alcoholic to deceive fellow members who already have heard all the lies, cop-outs, and alibis. Denial, the number one symptom of addiction, gets nowhere with a group of recovering alcoholics.
One important idea behind this promise is that the realities of drinking will reach not only the 'helpless, hopeless boozer" but also the "high-bottom alcoholic" who may be struggling to admit he or she belongs in A.A.
Relating and identifying will always be key words in reaching a drinking, still-suffering alcoholic, because recovering drinkers who tell their past experience abound the sinceriity. Words that come from the heart always reach the hearts of those who need to hear them.
=======================================
In my early recovery, I couldn't go to many open meetings because I did compare instead of identify. I would hear a speaker and say, "Well I didn't do that. I didn't do this! I didn't like beer! I didn't have black-outs!" and I kept me sick for a long time, because of identifying with the feelings instead of the actions.
I found we all used for the same reasons, we all took different roots to get here, but when we get here, we have the same purpose for being, to stay sober, one day at a time.
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.