OUR OWN FAMILY JEWELS – “We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets. The alcoholic’s past thus becomes the principal asset of the family and frequently it is almost the only one!” (The Big Book, p. 124)
BECUZ “OUR RECOVERY AT STAKE” – “We may still be slightly hesitant, but we do the best we can. Our recovery is at stake. If we want to continue with our recovery, we must make amends.”
“Praying for willingness takes our relationship with the God of our understanding a step further.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 59) “If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.” – Lord Acton (1834 – 1902) English historian
Ascension Infinite Bliss Hz Meditation (7:06)
Thanks to our fresh, new emancipation; what parts of your past inform how you help others today?
The Pleasure of Freedom :
Once in a jungle a beautiful golden bird had made her home on a tree. When she sang, shiny pearls fell from her open beak.
One day a bird catcher came to the jungle. Soon he spread a net and the poor golden bird was caught in it. The bird catcher took the bird home and kept it in a silver cage and fed it well. But the sad bird did not sing at all and the hunter never got any pearls.
The bird catcher sold the caged bird to a merchant. The merchant gifted that golden bird to the king. The king thought, “Hmm … that’s a nice bird. I’ll give it to the princess to play with.”
So the king gave the caged bird to the princess.
She was a beautiful girl with a kind heart.
She at once freed the golden bird. The pleasure of freedom made the golden bird sing aloud and soon a shower of pearls fell in the room of princess.
The golden bird came to meet the princess everyday and sang for her. (http://www.english-for-students.com/The-Pleasure-of-Freedom.html)
This Step forced me to look at my past and acknowledge the harm and damage I have done to myself and others. Even though the persons I have harmed may not forgive me, I can forgive myself – and I can know that more is constantly being revealed. It is my intention not to repeat harmful behaviors in the future.