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Page 73: Big Book

Old 06-11-2014, 02:01 AM
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Page 73: Big Book

On page 73 of the BB, the following appears:

"The inconsistency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers".

For those who have spent some time in recovery, do you feel less shame/guilt about your drinking days (post working the steps), and, was there a certain point at which you reached this (i.e. after a step/steps)?

Justin L.
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Old 06-11-2014, 02:11 AM
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Hi Justin

I've never been to AA but I wanted to welcome you anyway

I like the way the Promises start tho : "We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it"

I've been sober for some years now...shame & guilt are not useful emotions in my opinion.

D
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Old 06-11-2014, 02:23 AM
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Yes I feel less shame and guilt. I cannot change the past, but I can do things to correct the damage that was done. Seeking to make the world a little better place for all of us is a powerful antidote for that shame and guilt. I live life on a different basis than I did before. I try to give back a little more than I take.

It would seem that the person posting just above me is doing that as well.
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Old 06-11-2014, 02:34 AM
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Thank you for the posts above, Justin L.
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Old 06-11-2014, 03:36 AM
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I have never been able to experience the "we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it" part of the promises until I made amends to that person. I still have amends to do.

Making amends is one of the most liberating experiences I have ever been through.
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Old 06-11-2014, 03:56 AM
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dee pointed out one of the promises that can happen. the promisis that are said in that part starts out,"if we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through."
that phase of development is the 9th step. before we are halfway through we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. it happens,sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. they will always materialize if we work for them.
as I was working the previous 8 steps, I was seeing just how sick I was when I was drinking. be seeing I was a sick man and not a bad man, I was able to start forgiving myself, which led to removal of regret and remorse of past actions when doing the 9th step.
i don't approve of my actions when i was drinking, but i don't regret them or have remorse over it today.i learned a lot of what doesn't work! its a result of working the steps and not being the man i used to be.

theres a lot more promises in the BB, promises for every step.
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Old 06-11-2014, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by justin75 View Post
On page 73 of the BB, the following appears:

"The inconsistency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers".

For those who have spent some time in recovery, do you feel less shame/guilt about your drinking days (post working the steps), and, was there a certain point at which you reached this (i.e. after a step/steps)?

Justin L.
Hi Justin,

If you read on to Page 75, middle paragraph, you will see that
once you complete the 5th Step, withholding nothing, the
7 Promises can start to grow inside of you. Notice that the
first of the seven says "We can look the world in the eye."
The second promise continues "We can be alone at perfect
peace and ease."

When I began to experience these my guilt and shame started
to melt away and as mentioned by Taking5 when I began
making amends it got even better.

Work the rest of your steps and BELIEVE.
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Old 06-11-2014, 09:31 AM
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Thank you all for the thoughtful responses, Justin L.
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