The Wreckage We’ve Wrought May Have Some Utility After All -Step 8

Wrecking ball beside huge hole in wall revealing a brand new city w/ sfz title

WHAT’S A LITTLE HARM ANYWAYS –  “We might next ask ourselves what we mean when we say that we have  “harmed” other people. What kinds of “harm” do people do to one another, anyway? To define  the word “harm” in a practical way, we might call it the result of instincts in collision, which cause physical, mental, emotional or spiritual damage to  people.” (12 & 12, p. 80)

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 – Sign up to Zonr for Today’s Full SFZ

Be it with, a person, place or thing, in what ways has your own actions caused harm?

OR

How can you use your own mistakes to help someone else grow today?

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Would You Change – Tracy Chapman (5:07)

A View of the Heavens Om Meditation (6:31) 

 

English Analysis (249 words)

Growth emerges from the rubble of accountability. It Works: How and Why (1993) reminds us that honest reflection transforms regret into responsibility. Carl Jung (1953) argued that “one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” This principle aligns with Step 8, where we face the harm we caused. Awareness awakens conscience. Through this awakening, we reclaim power from false pride and turn confession into freedom.

Moreover, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (1952) teaches that clearing “the debris of the past” allows renewal. Viktor Frankl (1946) echoed this when he said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” (p. 112). Acceptance of the past’s limits gives shape to new growth. The Higher Power becomes a compass for humility and repair, guiding us beyond denial.

Israel Zangwill’s metaphor of the past as “a cradle, not a prison” captures hope after chaos. The Wellbriety Movement teaches, “Healing comes when we face the truth with courage and act in a good way.” Integration, not avoidance, ensures wisdom from pain. When we use our experience to help others, even our wreckage finds purpose.

True amends begin when we stop repeating harm. Step 8 teaches that responsibility transforms memory into mentorship and regret into rebirth.


Traducción al español

El daño que hemos causado puede tener utilidad después de todo – Paso 8

NUESTRO PASADO PUEDE INSPIRAR CAMBIO PERSONAL
“Aunque no podamos deshacer el pasado, nuestra experiencia ha demostrado que todavía necesitamos mirar lo que hemos hecho y reconocer el daño que hemos causado. A pesar de la imposibilidad de cambiar lo que pasó, podemos comenzar a reparar no repitiendo el mismo comportamiento.”
(It Works, How & Why, p. 58)

LECCIONES DE LOS ESCOMBROS
“…habiendo limpiado los escombros del pasado, consideramos cómo, con nuestro nuevo conocimiento de nosotros mismos, podemos desarrollar las mejores relaciones posibles con cada ser humano que conocemos.”
(12 & 12, p. 77)

“El pasado: nuestra cuna, no nuestra prisión; hay peligro así como atractivo en su encanto. El pasado es para inspiración, no imitación, para continuación, no repetición.”
– Israel Zangwill (1864–1926)


Análisis

El crecimiento surge de los escombros de la responsabilidad. It Works: How and Why (1993) nos recuerda que la reflexión honesta transforma el remordimiento en responsabilidad. Carl Jung (1953) argumentó que “uno no se ilumina imaginando figuras de luz, sino haciendo consciente la oscuridad.” Este principio se alinea con el Paso 8, donde enfrentamos el daño causado. La conciencia despierta la conciencia moral. A través de este despertar, recuperamos poder del falso orgullo y convertimos la confesión en libertad.

Además, Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones (1952) enseña que limpiar “los escombros del pasado” permite la renovación. Viktor Frankl (1946) dijo: “Cuando ya no podemos cambiar una situación, se nos desafía a cambiarnos a nosotros mismos” (p. 112). La aceptación de los límites del pasado da forma al nuevo crecimiento. El Poder Superior se convierte en brújula de humildad y reparación, guiándonos más allá de la negación.

La metáfora de Israel Zangwill del pasado como “una cuna, no una prisión” capta la esperanza después del caos. El Movimiento Wellbriety enseña: “La sanación llega cuando enfrentamos la verdad con valentía y actuamos de buena manera.” La integración, no la evasión, asegura sabiduría del dolor. Cuando usamos nuestra experiencia para ayudar a otros, incluso nuestros escombros encuentran propósito.

Las verdaderas enmiendas comienzan cuando dejamos de repetir el daño. El Paso 8 enseña que la responsabilidad transforma el recuerdo en mentoría y el remordimiento en renacimiento.

Pregunta:
¿Cómo puedes usar tus propios errores para ayudar a alguien más a crecer hoy?sado convertirse en lecciones que te ayuden a crecer hoy?

Zonr logo on humility

Comments

7 responses to “The Wreckage We’ve Wrought May Have Some Utility After All -Step 8”

  1. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    My testimony can serve as a road map for someone else.
    I can share how I’ve navigated through difficult times, and this could help them on their own personal path. There are valuable insights to learn from somebody else’s Journey….

  2. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Once my job ended in early ’24 and I slipped into using, I took a wrecking ball to everything in my path. Not in a literal sense, by simply giving up and letting everything around me crumble into disrepair and destruction. I stopped caring and give into apathy. So everyone involved with me, was harmed by my lack of actions. Starting with myself and radiating outward. Are there amends to make, yes there are.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    After watching “Would You Change” – I know I have a personal responsibility to fight this disease, but now feel I have a responsibility to do it for humanity and to make the world a better place.

    Thanks SFZ for keeping it real.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      I forgot to put my name “Brita”

  4. Slim Jim Avatar
    Slim Jim

    Today I am vowing to set aside one hour a day on my phontoshop workbook. I don’t understand the fear I have or where it comes from but this little goal sets me on a path to facing that fear head on.

  5. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    The past is for inspiration not imitation. What a relief – what a joy that I can consciously choose to do something different – (to be someone different? Does that imply that who I am is not enough?). Maybe I cannot change who I am, AND I can change my performance of this life. I need not be imprisoned by the past as Israel Zangwill said, and only by looking at past errors can I choose not to repeat them.

    1. Brita Avatar
      Brita

      Well said.

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