Sometimes Quickly, Sometimes Slowly

[LegalLady]

Thank God (or whoever your Higher Power is) for that phrase in the Promises. You know, it took me over 20 years to want what others have and to even put any trust in AA or anything else for that matter. Everytime I see some one struggle I thank God for that line in the Promises. It doesn't happen over night. Promises don't all come true the minute or first month or two or even years after you quit drinking and/or drugging. But, if you keep coming back (because it does work if you work it), you will realize when your party is over your party is over. Sometimes quickly sometimes slowly. But who the heck cares, as long as we get there. And then those Promises will blow your mind. No burning bush for me gang. My personality is my burning bush. Cause I was a pathetic, depressed, angry, Byotch.

Have a blessed day everyone, and remember . . . the newcomers, and I consider myself a newbie . . . is always watching. Let us all lead by example. HOW do whe do that: Honest Open and Willing. WHO will help us. Well we have to be Willing Honest and Open with our Higher Power.

Yep Sometimes Quickly and Sometimes Slowly.

I hope everyone has the best day ever.

[Boleo]

Some of the promise do come quickly:

1st Step Promises (Page 42)
"Then they outlined the spiritual answer and program of action which a hundred of them had followed successfully. Though I had been only a nominal churchman, their proposals were not, intellectually, hard to swallow. But the program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. That was not easy. But the moment I made up my mind to go through with the process, I had the curious feeling that my alcoholic condition was relieved, as in fact it proved to be. Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems.”

2nd Step Promises (Page 50)
Here are thousands of men and women, worldly indeed. They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them. This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements."

3rd Step Promises (Page 63)
When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn."

4th Step Promises (Page 70)
Here are thousands of men and women, worldly indeed. They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them. listed and analyzed our resentments. We have begun to comprehend their futility and their fatality. We have commenced to see their terrible destructiveness. We have begun to learn tolerance, patience and good will toward all men, even our enemies, for we look on them as sick people. We have listed the people we have hurt by our conduct, and are willing to straighten out the past if we can.

5th Step Promises (Page 75)
We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe."

- All quotes from Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition -

[McGowdog]

I think... with regards to the 9th Step anyway... somtimes slowly has to do with my own procrastination.

Get those amends done... I think is what it's saying. "You will be amazed before you are halfway through. Well you might be amazed after your first amend or you may not be amazed... until you finally face that dreaded last amend.

That's what happened to me last year. I refused to face the man who I hated. It was a coworker. I told my boss (brother) I would not work for that guy or under that guy anymore. He is not my manager. Then my brother went into this "There are no more managers anymore. There's only 7 of us left now and we all head up our own departments."

So me and this guy... avoided each other. There were a couple of times he came into my office asking me for help on something and that was fine. Or he'd come into my office and bring his attitude with him and I'd say, "Email me, write it down, but get out of my office now or I'm gonna rip your face off." This went on until a Christmas/New Year meeting. My brother set this meeting up and said we'd go no further until we made peace. I stood up... and made my amends to this man... with his wife present and my own mom and dad present... and he to me.

We've been fine ever since. I don't like him much, but I can tolerate him. That was a biggie. It was an amend that was over a month overdue. Sometimes slowly. That sucked and it was my own rage that blocked me from the SOTS.

[Music]

Thanks LL. We're all newbies. Every day is a new beginning. Doesn't matter whether it's quickly or slowly as long as it happens. Sometimes, the slower the better. Gratitude is the attitude.

[Mark75]

Nice topic... Not much to add really. Except for me progress is not always linear, nor always exponential... maybe more... hmmm... fractal But it feels good when it happens

Mark

[navysteve]

I made an effort to make amends to my ex-wife about 5 or 6 years ago. It was rejected. Now, out of the blue she is open to talking to me. My amends is to be gracious and considerate to her ( things I was definitely not). This is an amends that will take the rest of my life to make. It is also one I must bring into my relationships with others. I have had to be content with the result, and not let that sway me from the path I am on. It is easy to rest and say "I did my part, its on them". The apology I offered years ago was only words, although sincere, they were just words. Now I get to put the action behind them.
Sometimes slowly, they will always materialize...

[Music]

Thanks Shipmate. You know, although it took me a while to realize I wasn't God, I did come to the conclusion that I can still treat others as God treated me. Love for others is my goal. I don't like some people, but I do have to strive on a daily basis to practice love for them just the same. I hear people say, "it's just not fair!" My reply to them is, "it's a good thing life isn't fair!" If God kept score, I'd be in the tank. My sobriety is due to God's grace and is a gift I used to believe I didn't deserve. I don't believe that any more. Anyone can change for the better. I've come to like people I used to not like, just because I kept on loving them enough to just be there when they called. I finally came around. I owe others the same opportunity.

[24hrsAday]

i did make a lot of Amends right off the bat at the beginning of my current stretch of sobriety.. my brother.. my parents.. my live in girlfriend.. it was straight from the heart. i do know i have more to make. some people have already passed away.. i do the best i can and hope and pray it will be good enough..