What are the Promises?
Well, the promises that ask the question "Are these extravagant promises?" are found in the Big Book, just after the explanation of the Ninth Step. There are many other places you will find promises in the Big Book, but for now let's just consider these: If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook on life with change.Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. AA Big Book, pgs. 83-84 I don't know if you have a personal favorite among the many promises mentioned above. My favorite is "we will intuitively know how to handle situations that use to baffle us". First - I love the word baffle - i don't hear it very often. Here is the Miram Webster definition: "to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling : to confuse or frustrate completely : disconcert"*. In the days leading up to my sobriety I was quite frequently baffled. When I first heard The Promises read, it struck me that there was the possibility that some day I might be able to make more sense out of life. Turns out, as much time and effort has past, that the world no longer baffles me. It doesn't mention that i will ever understand it, it is comforting to me to know that it no longer confuses or frustrates me. I'm interested to know what your favorite promise is. If you would like, please add your thoughts in the comments below. *Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baffle. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.