Jan. 20, 2015 - Step by Step

The Serenity Prayer

Step by Step

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015

"Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all." - Step Eight

Today, Step Eight is not to be taken before the Seventh in which we asked our Higher Power to remove our defects of character. Without removal of those defects, common among them anger, resentment and a sense that our actions against anyone are justified, our list and willingness to make amends might be prejudiced, dishonest. The two requirements of this Step are a list of ALL people we've harmed and a willingness to atone to each individually; it does not and cannot guarantee that our willingness to offer amends will be accepted by every single person. And too many of us, taking this Step for the first time, learn later that we have omitted from our list of injured parties a very important person - OURSELVES. Today, I ask for humility and strength in naming all those I have hurt and for the willingness to make atonement - to myself as well. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2015