Reborn (present): “We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.” The Promises of AA (BB, pg 83-84)
In Skeletons 1.3, I mentioned giving a speech at my high school graduation and this is what I said about it:
“I spewed a bunch of nonsense. I knew exactly what they wanted to hear and I gave it to them. Knocked that fucker out of the park. “
For my birthday this year, my in-laws had a mini “viewing party” for my husband, kids and I. Upon plopping on the couch, tv still off, I somehow knew what it was we were about to watch: excerpts from our high school graduation video. And I was right! Upon watching myself at 18 years old, I was hit with 2 realizations:
- My speech was NOT as good as I had remembered and
- My anxiety was grossly apparent and that further proves why sharing in meetings has always been a challenge for me.
“…and as we celebrate tonight, we must remember to glorify him in everything we do.”
Lip service, that’s what that was. I knew what they wanted to hear but my delivery was cringe worthy; not only that but I did the exact opposite of glorifying God in everything that I did that night.*
Let me remind you that I was giving this speech as STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT. Not the president of my class. The president of the ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY, people!
Let me also remind you that I became ASB President by default, I was not voted in. I was voted into the ASB as the secretary, NOT ASB President. But then something crazy happened that led to some “impeachments” and yours truly automatically took the seat**; if you recall, I was not party to the scandal I mentioned in Skeletons 1.3. because my friends were worried I would ruin it for everyone. Fair enough.
Fast forward 15 years later to March, 2013.
I was up in front of a room full of women accepting my 1 year token. I have no idea what I said except for this big fat lie:
“The promises really have come true for me.”
I didn’t even know what the promises really meant, I had no idea what I was saying, and I stumbled over every single word I thought they wanted to hear. And that’s how it went every single time I accepted a token thereafter, up until year #5, the last token I “took” (as we say in the rooms.)
Fast forward 2 years later and I’m not like that today.
Today, I say what I mean and I mean what I say.
Today, I do what I say I’m going to do…for the most part…and when I don’t, the only person I am letting down is myself.
Today, I still get super nervous sharing but I’m a little bit calmer and self-confident.
Today, I care more about how my share will impact the newcomer and not what others are going to think about me.
Today, I do know a new freedom and a new happiness.
That’s what faith does.
That’s what trust does.
That’s what love does.
Thank you, S3 – you know who you are.
And thank you, HP! To God be all the glory.
#morewillberevealed
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