Aa Promises Printable: A Sober Living Guide

Living a life free from addiction is a significant accomplishment, and for those who have achieved sobriety, maintaining it can be a daily challenge. The AA Promises, also known as the "Promises of AA," are a set of guidelines that can help individuals in recovery stay on track and live a fulfilling life. In this article, we will delve into the world of AA Promises and provide a printable guide to help you navigate the journey of sober living.

For those who are new to AA, the Promises may seem like a mysterious concept. However, they are simply a set of principles that can help individuals in recovery achieve a more balanced and meaningful life. The Promises are based on the idea that recovery is not just about quitting drinking or using substances, but about creating a new way of living that is grounded in spiritual principles.

Understanding the AA Promises

The AA Promises are a set of nine statements that outline the benefits of working the 12 Steps of AA. They were first introduced in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and have since become a cornerstone of the AA program. The Promises are not just a set of rules or guidelines; they are a way of life that can help individuals in recovery achieve a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.

The Nine AA Promises

So, what are the nine AA Promises? Here they are:

"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 upon life will change."
"Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us."

Working the AA Promises

So, how do you work the AA Promises? The answer is simple: by working the 12 Steps of AA. The Promises are not a separate program or a set of rules; they are a natural result of working the 12 Steps.

The 12 Steps of AA are a set of principles that can help individuals in recovery achieve a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. They are:

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

AA Promises Printable Guide

Here is a printable guide to the AA Promises that you can use to help you navigate the journey of sober living:

Promise 1: "We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness."

Take a few minutes each day to reflect on the things that bring you joy and freedom.
Write down three things you are grateful for each day.
Share your gratitude with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 2: "We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it."

Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your past experiences.
Write down three things you learned from your past experiences.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 3: "We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace."

Take a few minutes each day to practice meditation or deep breathing exercises.
Write down three things that bring you peace and serenity.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 4: "No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others."

Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your experiences.
Write down three ways you can use your experiences to help others.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 5: "That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear."

Take a few minutes each day to practice self-care.
Write down three things you are proud of accomplishing.
Share your accomplishments with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 6: "We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows."

Take a few minutes each day to practice kindness and compassion towards others.
Write down three ways you can help others each day.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 7: "Self-seeking will slip away."

Take a few minutes each day to practice humility and selflessness.
Write down three ways you can put others first each day.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 8: "Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change."

Take a few minutes each day to practice gratitude and positivity.
Write down three things you are grateful for each day.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

Promise 9: "Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us."

Take a few minutes each day to practice faith and trust in a higher power.
Write down three things you are thankful for each day.
Share your insights with a friend or sponsor.

AA Promises Image Gallery

We hope this article and printable guide have been helpful in understanding the AA Promises and how they can help you achieve a more fulfilling life in recovery. Remember, recovery is a journey, and it's okay to take it one step at a time. Don't be afraid to reach out for help and support along the way.