The recovering alcoholics greatest possession/asset

[nandm]

(from the Family Afterward)
This painful past may be of infinite value to other families still struggling with their problem. We think each family which has been relieved owes something to those which have not, and when the occasion requires, each member of it should be only too willing to bring former mistakes, no matter how grievous, out of their hiding places. Showing others who suffer how we were given help, is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have-----the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them.

We allow God to transform our past into our greatest asset by developing humility-----a clear recognition of who and what we really are. We are humiliated only by those things that our pride and fear attempt to keep hidden. When we admit our shortcomings to God, ourselves and another human being we are freed from their power over us. Armed with the truth about ourselves we can be of great use to others.

When I think about my first AA meeting I am reminded that what I left that meeting with was hope. That hope stemmed from hearing members sharing their experiences, strength, and hope. Hearing them share and seeing in their faces that they were no longer tied to their fears, feelings of shame, and failure; a glimmer of hope arose in me that maybe, just maybe, I might be able to somehow find a way to live without all the pain, shame, and fear I had been living with for most of my life.


What do you feel is the alcoholics greatest asset? Why?

If you agree with this passage of the Big Book that our greatest possession/asset we have is our dark past then share why you feel this way, your thoughts, concerns, etc....

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience, strength, and hope.

[ananda]

I agree that the dark past is my greatest asset...Not only does it help others, but it helps me...by remembering the past I am able to see patterns and change patterns. And generally if I try to forget the past bad stuff I miss seeing the good stuff too.

[tommyk]

Honesty.

[justanothrdrunk]

Hp.

[Peter]

For me there are many assets but "acceptance of things I cannot change" comes quickly to mind...

[Tazman53]

Nandm, I feel that our past is a part of it, I feel a recovered alcoholics ES&H is thier greatest asset. This opinion is not in any way to detract from honesty, humility, acceptance, & our HP of our understanding.

Our ES&H brings it all together, both for us and for others. I feel the importance of something is dependendent upon what our needs are at that moment in out life or the life of some one else.