April 2nd, 2024

Having a discussion sparked an interest in this. Both pros and cons of always saying yes. Yes to all and everything AA. Remember these at strictly my thoughts and what I think. 

I learned pretty early on to always say yes. If someone in AA, the fellowship anyone asks you, you say yes. I understand why they would say this. If you are always saying yes than you’re always around and involved in it. This will lead you to never stray too far. You’ll never be able to walk away with the understanding that you can turn around again. Turn around and walk back through the doors and into the outreach hands of AA. You’ll be so fully engaged and  intertwined that it is impossible for you to drink. By saying yes people begin to know you. More meetings more chances for people to know you. If more people know you, then you have more people looking out for you. More people to grab you if you do start to slip. 

Now my take. I don’t say yes because I have to say yes. If a situation feels right I’m rolling with it. I’ll say yes because I want to say yes. Not because someone told me I had to. I believe in making my own choices. Working my program and what in best for me, Maybe this is going back to the gods will my will debate. When I do something it’s because I want to do it. I’ve gotten loads of advice in sobriety. Some I’ve taken without even a second thought. Some make me question this and that. Others I don’t even entertain because they just aren’t for me.  Saying yes to a close friend is impossible to resists but if don’t feel right it’ll be a NO every time. They’ll respect me enough to know that I’m doing what’s best for me. My sobriety. I don’t think I’ve ever said NO before now that I’m thinking about it. Every situation pushes me further outside my comfort zone. I try to embrace the nerves and fear. Remain cool on the outside and they will never know how much you fallen apart on the inside. Anxiety can be a bitch some times. But I grow from it. Handle it better as time goes on.. So maybe there is something to just saying yes?? I’d like to keep in my mind though that I have an option to say no. If you know shit just doesn’t feel like it should.

By saying yes though you teaching yourself to show up. Be accountable because someone is expecting you to be there for them. Someone is expecting you to show up and be present. There’s a fear that comes with this in not letting yourself let people down. It hits you hard because you can remember not to long ago that you were let down. How it left you feeling inside and you swore if the right person, with the right energy crossed your path you never leave them leaving a pounce of how you felt. Take a walk with me because I can show you people upon people who fit this criteria.. They’re kind and welcoming. How could you not want to say yes to every person. 

 I say YES because I want to. Saying Yes has pushed me in sobriety. Its made me gain confidence. It’ll all started with my willingness to be in service. My willingness to throw myself into AA and this fellowship. I took a coffee commitment very very early in my sobriety. I trusted my gut that for the first time I was right where I needed to be. So yes, I can see it from both sides. Maybe one way works for someone that doesn’t work for anther. That’s the beauty of this program. You find what works for you. You talk to another alcoholic. You just keep doing the next right thing. Just keep coming back because whether you say yes or say no. This program works if you work it.