How Huge, Heavy Guilt Begins to Float Away – Step 9

One lowly sailboat on an empty ocean at sunset w/ sfz title

“The storms of the past are receding. The skies are brightening. And the horizon is beckoning once more.” – U.S. Pres. Barack Obama (1961 – ) Energy speech 12/8/09

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In what ways has your own experience with guilt and making amends instilled in you a sense of freedom, lately?

OR

When you think about the “storms of the past,” what helps you see the bright horizon ahead?

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English Analysis

Today’s Zonr post reflects the relief that follows amends and forgiveness. The Big Book (p. xv) reminds us that recovery is “only the beginning.” This echoes Viktor Frankl’s belief in Man’s Search for Meaning (1946), where he wrote that purpose transforms suffering into strength. Healing begins when guilt gives way to responsibility.

Furthermore, It Works: How & Why (p. 69) celebrates freedom from the past. This mirrors Brené Brown’s insights in The Gifts of Imperfection (2010), where she describes vulnerability as the bridge to courage. We stop hiding behind false pride and begin trusting our Higher Power’s process of growth. Forgiveness, then, is not a one-time act but a continual choice that clears our emotional sky.

Barack Obama’s words, “The storms of the past are receding,” reinforce this forward vision. His tone evokes hope after hardship, much like the Wellbriety principle that “forgiveness is letting go of all hope for a better past” (Coyhis, 2006). The amends process releases guilt and restores connection. Each apology lightens the spirit.

Ultimately, these teachings converge: guilt dissolves as awareness expands. By acknowledging harm, seeking repair, and moving toward the limitless horizon of spiritual freedom, we honor both humility and hope. The horizon symbolizes renewal—the promise that clarity always follows storm.


Traducción al español

Cómo la culpa enorme y pesada comienza a flotar — Paso 9

NAVEGACIÓN CLARA POR DELANTE
“Muchos de nuestros amigos nos animan diciendo que esto es solo un comienzo, solo el augurio de un futuro mucho más grande por delante.” (El Libro Grande, p. xv)

CUANDO NUESTRA CULPA ENORME Y PESADA COMIENZA A FLOTAR
“Los recuerdos del pasado ya no nos detienen… Somos libres para soñar y perseguir la realización de nuestros sueños. Nuestras vidas se extienden ante nosotros como un horizonte ilimitado.” (Funciona: Cómo y Por Qué, p. 69)

“Las tormentas del pasado están retrocediendo. Los cielos se están aclarando. Y el horizonte llama una vez más.”
— Presidente de los EE. UU. Barack Obama (1961–), discurso sobre energía, 8/12/09

Análisis

La publicación Zonr refleja el alivio que sigue a la reparación y al perdón. El Libro Grande (p. xv) nos recuerda que la recuperación es “solo el comienzo”. Esto coincide con Viktor Frankl en El hombre en busca de sentido (1946), donde afirma que el propósito transforma el sufrimiento en fortaleza. La sanación empieza cuando la culpa se convierte en responsabilidad.

Además, Funciona: Cómo y Por Qué (p. 69) celebra la libertad del pasado. Esto refleja a Brené Brown en Los dones de la imperfección (2010), donde describe la vulnerabilidad como el puente hacia el valor. Dejamos de escondernos detrás del falso orgullo y empezamos a confiar en el proceso de crecimiento de nuestro Poder Superior. El perdón no es un acto único, sino una elección continua que despeja nuestro cielo emocional.

Las palabras de Barack Obama, “Las tormentas del pasado están retrocediendo,” refuerzan esta visión de avance. Su tono evoca esperanza después de la dificultad, como el principio de Bienestar que dice: “El perdón es dejar ir toda esperanza de un pasado mejor” (Coyhis, 2006). El proceso de enmienda libera la culpa y restaura la conexión.

Finalmente, estas enseñanzas convergen: la culpa se disuelve al expandirse la conciencia. Al reconocer el daño, buscar reparación y avanzar hacia el horizonte ilimitado de la libertad espiritual, honramos la humildad y la esperanza.

Pregunta:
Cuando piensas en las “tormentas del pasado”, ¿qué te ayuda a ver el horizonte brillante por delante?

Zonr logo on guilt

Comments

8 responses to “How Huge, Heavy Guilt Begins to Float Away – Step 9”

  1. Lotus Avatar

    When I think of setbacks of the past , what helps me(moi) see the bright horizon ahead?
    When I awake and take in a breath of fresh air I need to see that bright horizon of good fortunes that want to beckon me(moi), as long as my mind doesn’t say forget everything I’ve accomplished for a bit of fun. I should mean too much too me, as well as my successes to go back into a mode that won’t be as productive for me(moi), and/or allow me to see what blessings’ want to await me for a better future. Even at this abstinence of a dwelling, there’s a lot I can not choose to get or get out of it. Temptations are a hell of something too with everything that’s going on right now. Some minds leave into a void of reality that’s not completely true, making it harder for me(moi) to maneuver how I want to out, and about. It’s never the end of the world though, and those bright horizons I feel will always exist for all of us, if we so choose to take those right roads.

  2. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    The Bright Horizon ahead is now, today, that’s the beautiful thing about being a member of the 100% Club… I don’t have to wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, there’s so much light around me now it’s almost blinding. The holy spirit is my light and I let him guide me in everything I do… but I know life doesn’t care if I’m drinking or not and it shows up in other ways… that’s why it’s imperative that I stay in the light… the stormy past got me where I am today so I don’t shut the door on it I remember where I came from and hopefully my story can help the next alcoholic…

  3. Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh Avatar
    Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh

    When you think about the “storms of the past,” what helps you see the bright horizon ahead? ~

    Hope comes with every new sunrise . By having faith in my higher power and in my ability to follow through to building my best life . . I feel hope and strength, despite the many storms i have endured . If I can inspire and minister to others in their storms past or present, it helps me feel joy and have more purpose in my healing and in my choice of living a full and sober life xo

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Looking back motivates me when looking forward. Seeing the good times when I was clean prior to my relapse, and, seeing the damage done to my life in relapsing. Recognizing the good gives me great hope that the best is yet to come. Acknowledging the mistakes that led to destruction provides awareness of the moments that lead to poor decisions. I am confident that with each step today that my choices are rooted in the path that leads to healthy decisions and a outcome that will yield the best life to come.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  5. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    Well expressing my sincere sorrow for making a recent mistake still feels a little to fresh. And its a little too early to see if I keep my promise and not make continue to make that same mistake.

  6. brita Avatar
    brita

    hope this isn’t “cross talk”, but thanks contributors for sharing HOPE!

  7. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    I was told my job is taking me back tomorrow after a huge hiatus. I never really doubted I could return. It felt entirely possible to me. There is also so much more I see as possible and this feeling of anticipation makes me feel very hopeful.

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    The future stretching before me with unlimited possibilities. That can seem too good to be true. And yet when I look at where I was vs. where I am today, I find it hard to imagine living in that place of such unhappiness and such despair. I have been traveling a path towards awareness, acceptance and action; I have been moving up from pain towards hope and freedom. I only see this in retrospect. Surely, having come all this way I must believe that my Higher Power can help me find joy, peace and serenity – maybe that is success.

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