We've most likely all read the AA promises on pages 83 and 84 of the big book but I was just wondering if some of you would mind sharing with us what you feel was the greatest reward or benefit you've experienced personally since becoming sober? I find hearing these types of stories are more meaningful and inspirational to me when they come from people I care about and respect...since there's nobody like that here you people will have to do! Ha, ha, just kidding :)
Seriously though, all kidding aside, I think hearing these kind of positive stories really do help new comers and stumblers like me.
I've not had BIG things really happen to me in AA, but a lot of small stuff that has meant a ton:
This will be the 2nd year in a row I've received the perfect attendance award at work. My quartley evaluations have gone from a 2.5 to a 6 (8 is highest you can get and nobody gets that!). I've been able to STOP enabling my son. I've learned that NO is a complete sentence. I've learned that just because she's my mother doesn't mean I have to be her doormat (or anyone else's for that matter).......the list can go on with little stuff. Add them all together and they equal sobriety and recovery - which is THE greatest reward.
How 'bout you, TM, what's yours?
(((hugs)))
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
My greatest reward has to be the occassional moments of contenment and peace. In the past I was always either too drunk or too anxious and sick to notice and appreciate the little things, like waking up early on a sunny day and enjoying a coffee while I walk the dog. Everything used to seem difficult and life was a series of chaotic struggles to get even the simplest everyday things accomplished. Now I feel less and less overwhelmed by life and able to be calm and relaxed...sometimes, other times I feel like puching myself in the face.
My great reward is definitely more than one.But, I just go with one. You know it's hard for me to do one of anything. Anyway, right now, today, I would have to say the feeling of being useful.Things like being in trusted with keys to set up for a meeting, chair a meeting, taking some one through the Steps, watching a friend's house while there out of town, taking a friend to a doctors appt. or just being sober if someone calls and just needs my ear.While I was drinking I would tell people I would do things for them but when it came time, I was too drunk.I'd lie about why I couldn't do it, but they knew why, and people just started leaving me alone.I use to say it was fine with me, but it really wasn't.I believe I'm just more useful in general and it feels really good. I know for a fact without the Steps...well lets just say I wouldn't be very happy.
Thanks for the Topic! Off to the Homegroup now, may see you all later.
Tip, my greatest reward also has been peace. My cyclic thinking, the kind that used to keep me up at night with all sorts of worries, is GONE. Even in times when I feel low, I do not go on and on with negative fearful thinking any more. The peace I feel now is one of the many things that keeps me from wanting to pick up a drink. The peace is something I am not willing to trade to get drunk.
Great topic, and Happy New Year!
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Being able to remember in the mourning what happened the night before. Before when I'd wake up the first thing would be, where am I, how did I get here? where's my truck? I no longer have to wait with dread for friend to inform me what I did or said.
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Work like you don't need the money
Love like you've never been hurt, and
dance like no one is watching.
Wow TM, I don't know If I've got enough time to list them all. Certainly having "me" back is a big plus . 3 things that I wanted desperately, and that are still very much important to me are: Being happily married, Being the best parent that I can, and being self employed. I had no clue how to do any of those things, but through the process of duplication, that I learned as a result of these steps, the student was ready and the teachers appeared.
The rest of the promises, kind fell in line behind or as a result of persuing those goals. I certainly found a new freedom and new happiness. Fear of economic insecurity definitely left. I do ituitively know how to do things that used to bafle me. I don't regret the past.
Here's some of the contrasts between how it used to be like and now. I was terribly affraid of many things: driving, the police, leaving my house on holidays or my birthday (went to jail at least once on all these days) traveling and going to places that I'd never been to before, meeting new people, dating, the IRS, having my own business, anything that represented authority...I pretty much dreaded every day when I woke up.
Today I love to travel, go new places, meet people, drive in foreign countries, ski, scuba dive, ride motorcycles interstate, working for myself all through out my sobreity, having cops for friends and neighbors, filing my taxes, celebrating holidays and events....I wake up every day with a big smile on my face excited about life and what the day has in store for me, and how I'm going to "practice these principals in all" my affairs
Before when I'd wake up the first thing would be, where am I, how did I get here? where's my truck?
Oh my god Bob, your post just reminded me of one of the most frightening moments of my life. I woke up one dark winter morning after a terrible bender and as I lay there listening to the morning news on the radio I heard them say that the police were looking for the driver of a grey suv that had hit and killed a pedestrian not far from where I lived and fled the scene. A few minutes later I found myself on my hands and knees with a flashlight checking the undercarriage of my grey suv fully expecting to find hair and blood. Thankfully it wasn't me who was responsible but those few minutes I that believed wholeheartedly that I had done it were the most terrifying I've ever experienced.
*shudders* Just remembering things like that make me feel all the guilt and shame like it happened yesterday.
Anyhoo, my apologies for making this thread veer down depressing street! I just had to get that off my chest. Now lets get back to good stuff :)
My biggest reward has been getting my self-respect back!
But, it's lots of other things, too. Generally, I feel more peaceful and know that I can handle more without freaking out. I'm also more productive now that I'm not nursing a killer hangover or obsessing about my next drink. I can remember everything that I said and did the day before. I can help people when they need help or input from me.
It's so many little things, but they have all helped me to turn my life around.
Great topic!
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
My greatest reward would have to be the peace I feel and the openminded i consciously practice on a daily basis. I used act very implusively, now I am able to think things through and I find this act contirbutes to peaceful living.
Other rewards, When I came into AA, I was extremely unhappy in my life, overweight=unhealthy, broke & in debt, and broken mentally. 22 months later, I am a happier person, I am not over weight, my health has improved dramatically, I have paid off all my debts, the fear of tomorrow has vanished, I can stay in today.
I am pleased with the rewards of being sober, don't wanna slip, I have done it enough to know, it's not an option for me, because it's a complete dead end.
Thanks for the topic, Tips :) One of my main rewards is having a program of recovery I can use to help me learn how to live. I know that might sound abhorrent to some cuz pride tells me I should already know & have a right to be right ABOUT EVERYTHING! but having this program helps me to deal with not having all the answers in life, knowing when to shut up & keep myself out of trouble & learning how to love me & others alot better than I did before & in a less controlling way. My program has helped me to keep my temper & not lash out at others when they're not being how I'd have them because obviously, you know, I'm perfect!
It's helping me learn how to grow up & be useful to others whilst looking after me. It helps me to be less driven by fear & I am super glad to have a boyfriend with a program too who I can love & understand & who loves & understands me. That's a Major Gift of Sobriety for me. Also one of the rewards of sobriety in having a program is that it helps me to have sobriety in the first place. There's not much not to be grateful for. I'm also very grateful to have fallen in love unconditionally with my family since coming into recovery & having good relationships with all of them in return since I came into recovery. Yes, thanks for the topic indeed, Tips. Good for me to say & remember all this today, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
I am so grateful for everything but the biggest reward at the moment is being able to live in the day.
I have just spent the most peaceful and lovely christmas and New Year with my boyfriend who has to go away today for a few months. It could be anything between 5 months and a year before we are together again and if I hadnt been able to live in the day then the holidays would have all been ruined with the thoughts of him going instead of enjoying it.
Also finding a power greater than me who I choose to call God and I am praying to daily and this morning one of my prayers has been for the strength and courage to deal with him going and for his safety.
Wishing you all a sober and Happy New Year with health, happiness and prosperity.
. 3 things that I wanted desperately, and that are still very much important to me are: Being happily married, Being the best parent that I can, and being self employed. I had no clue how to do any of those things, but through the process of duplication, that I learned as a result of these steps, the student was ready and the teachers appeared. 