Through his program, God gave him the promises he never thought possible. 

“Working my program” and staying committed to the SA fellowship fosters a stronger, more focused inner life for me. By working my SA program, I am developing the humility and maturity necessary to trudge the “Road of Happy Destiny” each day.

As I experience each day of sobriety, I find the changes in my life very satisfying. I am experiencing emotions, focus and personal connections I never would have thought possible before SA. Chapter Six of Alcoholics Anonymous, titled “Into Action”, details the positive outcomes of program commitment in “The Twelve Promises”. The Promises provide hope for a healthy, joyful recovery—achieved through persistence and the maintenance of both inner and outer sobriety.

Found on pages 83–84 of the AA Big Book, these Twelve Promises reveal that I will:

1. Know a new freedom and a new happiness
2. Not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it
3. Comprehend the word serenity 
4. Know peace
5. See how my experience can benefit others
6. Find that the feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear
7. Lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in others
8. Let self-seeking slip away
9. Feel that my attitude and outlook on life have changed
10. Let go of fear of people and of economic insecurity
11. Intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle me
12. Suddenly realize that God is doing for me what I could not  do for myself

The AA Big Book states the Twelve Promises materialize at different rates: “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly”(AA 84). My experience confirms this: I was blessed with two promises that were revealed early on. Other promises developed gradually or are still pending. Because these Promises are unique to each person, they arrive at different times, but they do come. As the AA Big Book promises, “If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through”(AA 83).

“Working my Program” through my Twelve Step groups develops into a focused inner life, replacing ego and selfishness with maturity in daily living. I maintain this focus, and “work my program” through these practices:

• Attend SA meetings, contribute to SA through service work, and seek mentorship from a sponsor who lives the SA principles.
• Follow recovery directions in the AA Big Book, SA White Book, and Twelve Steps.
• Trust in my God’s wisdom for daily guidance.
• Look to the Twelve Promises to find the motivation for a life in recovery.

To integrate the Twelve Promises into my journey of recovery, I commit to the following daily practices:

• Gratefully acknowledging the God who loves and cares for me, seeking His love that I may care for my fellow sexaholics and all others. 
• Practicing a consistent gratitude to my God for all His blessings on my life, no matter how big or small. 
• Using reflection, meditation, journaling, and music to manage stress and emotions.
• Giving back through SA Service, community service, and simple acts of kindness.
• Practicing positive self-care through nutrition, exercise, and rest.
• Maintaining accountability through a supportive fellowship of family, friends, and SA brothers and sisters.
• Viewing challenges to my sobriety and recovery as opportunities for growth.
• Living the program one day at a time!

The Twelve Promises define redemption for me. I find freedom from addiction and control while gaining gratitude and purpose. Through my daily practices, I become aware of the fulfillment of the Promises in my recovery. It is then that I again realize God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. 

Are these extravagant promises? I think not!