STEP EIGHT
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, possible except when to do so would injure them or others.
BOOK
REFERENCES:
STEP 8
AA: Chapter 6 - Into Action (Page 76, line 15 Thru: Page 82)
12 & 12: Step 8
More Big Book References: Amends: 64, 70, 111, 145, 151, 187, 227, 277, 311
The eighth step list is usually created from the fourth step. It is simply just making a list. That is the first part of the step. Take your time. Do the readings and consider all the thoughts. Ask your sponsor about any questions you have.
The
best thing I can say about
making amends I wrote in a letter to a sponsee. Check it out:
Feel comforted in knowing that I am proud of your present actions, and I love you either way.
Your Sponsor and Friend
"Whatever
our ideal turns out to be, we must be willing to grow
toward it. We must be willing to make amends where we have done
harm, provided that we do not bring about still more harm in so
doing."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 69~
BOOK
REFERENCES:
STEP 9
AA: Chapter 6 - Into Action (Page 82, line 17 Thru: Page 84, line 15)
12 & 12: Step 9
Recovery from Guilt (STEPS 4-9)
Clarence S. List Of Character Defects
This is simply about making a list! The Big Book says, “We made it when we took inventory.” (BB Step 8) I have discovered that, “…during a score of years after those words were published, AA's observed that some folks harmed were not resented, feared or sex objects – the parts of the Big Book format. Therefore, a significant update appeared in the 12 & 12’s step 8. About the amends list, ‘To a degree, he has already done this when taking moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to redouble his efforts to see how many people he has hurt, and in what what.’” The 12 and 12 discusses emotional and other damage to those not necessarily resented. We sincerely inteded to love many people, but actually abused them with alcoholic (or addict) behavior. Do not yet be concerned with whether or not you should, could or would be willing or able to make the amends. First Things First…Just make the List!
It is possible to change without improving - it is impossible to improve without change
"In this book you
read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked
you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your
grosser handicaps,
you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested
some big chunks of truth about yourself."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 70~
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This Website was last updated on:
January 24, 2007
This Website was last updated on:
January 24, 2007
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