Part of growing up in the recovery program is that as we work our way through the steps we realize that one of our jobs is to give it away. To pass our experience and hope onto others.
Instead of always dominating the floor when it comes our time to share, we limit our remarks. We allow the newcomer – regardless of how crazy they may sound – to vent and brag and let anger out. If he or she is crying, we hand them a Kleenex and let them know that feelings are part of the recovery process.
We gain interest in our fellows by listening to them. But even more important, we prop them up. We help encourage them. We let them know that the program will work if they'll just be patient and take the time to keep coming back to the meetings.
For when we were out in the world drinking and doing the other things we did, our only interest was in ourselves and how we felt. It was always about "me, me, me." At this point of our program, at promise seven, we behave differently. We take an interest in our fellows to the point where we encourage their recovery. No matter what they're going through, we carry the message to them. And the message is that they only have to make it for the next 24 hours – not for the rest of their lives.
As they keep coming to the meetings, we acknowledge the changes that we see in their lives. If they talk about a new job, we congratulate them on their success. We applaud and congratulate them on their anniversaries.
We take a genuine interest in their success. And always make sure that we relate it to the fact that they are no longer drinking and doing the other things they did.
