Monday, June 16, 2014
" ...'Faith without works is dead.' ...We have made a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took inventory. We subjected ourselves to a drastic self-appraisal. Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show. If we haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 6 ("Into Action"), p 76.
Today, to what lengths will I go for "victory over alcohol" or, in some cases, the process of reconciling myself with the injuries I inflicted on other people during my drinking days? The Eighth and Ninth Steps tell us to surrender with absolute humility by asking our Higher Power for the strength and courage to do His will, not ours, and by facing and apologizing to the victims of our injury and harm. That we might not be willing to make amends to someone does not give us an easy out; as the Big Book says, we must continue to ask for the will to do so "until it comes." In making amends that are required, we may be accomplishing more than taking responsibility for the hurt we inflicted on others: we finally can be done with the guilt, shame and regret we have carried and reconcile ourselves to the sickness of our spirit. And in doing so, we can start to heal. How far will I go for "victory over alcohol?" Today, I go to any length. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2014
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