Read more about the article “Vanity Pride & Arrogance” … Oh My!

“Vanity Pride & Arrogance” … Oh My!

LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED - "In Step Eight, we begin to rectify our wrongs. We begin to accept responsibility for our actions by listing the people we have harmed and by becoming willing to make amends to them all." (It Works, How & Why, p. 54) "VANITY, PRIDE & ARROGANCE" oh my -  "There were cases, too, where we had damaged others who were still happily unaware of being hurt.  Why, we cried, shouldn't bygones be bygones? Why do we have to think of these people at all? These were some of the ways in which fear conspired with pride…

Continue Reading“Vanity Pride & Arrogance” … Oh My!
Read more about the article Today We Wield “Repentance and Good Works” as a “Shield against Calamity” – Step 8

Today We Wield “Repentance and Good Works” as a “Shield against Calamity” – Step 8

"OUR REAL PURPOSE" - "Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us." (The Big Book, p. 77) "The principle of service ... is not a passive principle. To be of maximum service to the still-suffering addict, we must energetically seek to carry our message throughout our cities, towns, and villages. (It Works, How & Why, p. 152) "Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity." - Buddha (563 B.C. - 483 B.C.) ancient…

Continue ReadingToday We Wield “Repentance and Good Works” as a “Shield against Calamity” – Step 8

Celebrate Native American Heritage Day on Our Quest to Heal the One Person We’ve Harmed the Most – Step 8

TO BE MADE IN "A SPIRIT OF SELF-LOVE & HEALING" - "Usually there is one person whom we have inflicted the greatest damage - ourselves." "So before any other names are added to our Eighth Step list, most of us need to write our own name." "... [U]ntil we can take this Step in a spirit of self-love and healing, we may not be ready for it." (How Al Anon Works, pp. 58- 59 harmed) THE HARM WE HOLD INSIDE -  "Many of us had trouble seeing how we had harmed ourselves ... ." "Some of us have had a…

Continue ReadingCelebrate Native American Heritage Day on Our Quest to Heal the One Person We’ve Harmed the Most – Step 8

Unclenching Our Vise-like Grip on Resentments – Step 8

LETTING GO OF SELF-OBSESSION - "Most of us owe amends to at least one person who has also harmed us. Perhaps we haven't truly forgiven that person yet. We must let go of resentments and focus on our part in the conflicts in our lives.  We won't get better...if we are still in the grip of self-obsession." (It Works, How & Why, p. 55 on self-delusion) FREES US FROM SELF-DELUSION'S PRISON -  "Some of us, though, tripped over a very different snag. We clung to the claim that when drinking we never hurt anybody but ourselves."   (12 & 12, p,…

Continue ReadingUnclenching Our Vise-like Grip on Resentments – Step 8
Read more about the article The Wreckage We’ve Wrought May have Some Utility After all – Step 8

The Wreckage We’ve Wrought May have Some Utility After all – Step 8

OUR PAST MAY INSPIRE PERSONAL CHANGE - "Even though we can't undo the past, our experience has shown that we still need to look at what we've done and acknowledge the damage we've caused. Despite the impossibility of changing what happened, we can start to make amends by not repeating the same behavior."  (It Works, How & Why, p. 58) LESSONS FROM THE DEBRIS - " ... having had cleaned away the debris of the past, we consider how, with our new found knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know." (12…

Continue ReadingThe Wreckage We’ve Wrought May have Some Utility After all – Step 8