The Secret to having ‘the Promises’ Fulfilled Each and Everyday – Step 9

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“The saloon is a liar. It promises good cheer and sends sorrow.”
– Billy Sunday (1862 – 1935) U.S. baseball

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How has one or more of ‘the promises’ been fulfilled in your life, lately?

OR

How can small acts of honesty help you feel free inside today?

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Calvin Harris, Sam Smith – Promises (4:05)

Billy Sunday from Baseball to Evangelist (15:48)

Releasing Fear Promise Guided Meditation (16:19)

English Analysis

Step Nine reveals how humility and willingness open the way to freedom. The Big Book teaches that effort invites grace: “They will always materialize if we work for them.” Recovery is not passive; it demands participation. Viktor Frankl (1946) wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that human freedom lies in choosing one’s attitude, even amid suffering. Likewise, Step Nine asks us to act with courage and faith in our Higher Power’s timing.

The Basic Text reminds us that “freedom from active addiction” is the essential promise. This echoes Black Elk’s vision of the sacred hoop, where healing restores balance through honest action and humility. In Wellbriety teachings, “We heal in community, not in isolation” (Coyhis, 2006). Making amends reconnects us to others and ourselves. True recovery rebuilds trust brick by brick, guided by service and self-honesty.

Billy Sunday’s warning—“The saloon is a liar”—reveals how illusion seduces and harms. The addict’s mind often bargains with false pride, whispering that shortcuts will save effort. Yet such illusions enslave rather than liberate. When we let humility replace false pride, our Higher Power works through us. Spiritual promises unfold not in fantasy but in steady, daily willingness.

We awaken through gratitude, truth, and continued service. In each amends, we glimpse spiritual freedom’s light. The secret lies in doing the work, not waiting for miracles.


Traducción al español

EL SECRETO PARA TENER “LAS PROMESAS” CUMPLIDAS CADA DÍA – PASO 9

LLAMANDO A LA CABALLERÍA
“De repente nos daremos cuenta de que Dios [o nuestro P.S.]* hace por nosotros lo que no podíamos hacer por nosotros mismos. ¿Son estas promesas extravagantes? No lo creemos.” “Siempre se materializarán si trabajamos por ellas.” (El Gran Libro, p. 84)

A VECES, UNO ES SUFICIENTE
“Narcóticos Anónimos ofrece solo una promesa y es la libertad de la adicción activa, la solución que nos eludió durante tanto tiempo. Seremos liberados de nuestras prisiones creadas por nosotros mismos.” (El Texto Básico, p. 106)

“La taberna es una mentirosa. Promete alegría y envía tristeza.”
– Billy Sunday (1862 – 1935), beisbolista estadounidense


Análisis (247 palabras)

El Paso Nueve revela cómo la humildad y la disposición abren el camino hacia la libertad. El Gran Libro enseña que el esfuerzo invita a la gracia: “Siempre se materializarán si trabajamos por ellas.” La recuperación no es pasiva; exige participación. Viktor Frankl (1946) escribió en El hombre en busca de sentido que la libertad humana reside en elegir la actitud, incluso ante el sufrimiento. De igual manera, el Paso Nueve nos pide actuar con valentía y fe en el tiempo de nuestro Poder Superior.

El Texto Básico recuerda que “la libertad de la adicción activa” es la promesa esencial. Esto refleja la visión de Black Elk sobre el círculo sagrado, donde la sanación restaura el equilibrio mediante la acción honesta y la humildad. En las enseñanzas de Wellbriety, “Sanamos en comunidad, no en aislamiento” (Coyhis, 2006). Hacer enmiendas nos reconecta con los demás y con nosotros mismos. La verdadera recuperación reconstruye la confianza paso a paso, guiada por el servicio y la sinceridad.

Y la advertencia de Billy Sunday—“La taberna es una mentirosa”—revela cómo la ilusión seduce y daña. La mente del adicto a menudo negocia con el falso orgullo, susurrando que los atajos ahorran esfuerzo. Sin embargo, esas ilusiones esclavizan en lugar de liberar. Cuando dejamos que la humildad reemplace al falso orgullo, nuestro Poder Superior actúa a través de nosotros.

Pregunta: ¿Cómo pueden los pequeños actos de honestidad ayudarte a sentirte libre hoy?

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Comments

6 responses to “The Secret to having ‘the Promises’ Fulfilled Each and Everyday – Step 9”

  1. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    This is a program of rigorous honesty. This honesty leads to better life in every way. For me this starts with the work I create, my art. An unencumbered artist is able to look at their work with eyes wide open. If there is something that I know in my gut to not be good, I can feel it. With rigorous honesty, I also have the courage to change it. I can think of few things that for me, as an artist, are as freeing as honesty.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  2. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Alcohol is the rapacious creditor. It will slowly become your best friend, lover, life coach and many many other titles to help you get through the hurdles of life itself… that’s the lie that it portrays. It Fosters a cycle of self-deception.
    But thank God there is a solution! The solution for me is having a new sense of happiness and freedom by putting God first and everything else after Him… finding courage and letting go of fear and insecurity. These promises are in the works today

  3. easy does it Avatar
    easy does it

    Sometimes God does do for me when i do for myself ..does that make sense?

  4. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    Almost daily, when things don’t go exactly has I planned I find relief once I realize that “God is doing for me what I can’t do for myself.”

  5. brita Avatar
    brita

    “self made prisons” – that’s a for sure – it’s what happens when I don’t go to meetings and I am a walking stress machine. Thank Goodness for Stress Free Zones!!!!

  6. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Hey! How come we’re back on Step 8? Hadn’t we gotten to Step 9? Does this mean I accidentally left some people off my list in the prior Step? Guess I better go back, review my list, and work on becoming willing to make amends to them ALL.

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