The Time has Come for All of Us to Walk the Walk – Step 8

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Acting Upon our Spiritual Principals- “To a degree, he has done this when taking a moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to redouble his efforts to see how many people he has hurt and in what ways.”  (12 & 12, p. 77)

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What area(s) of your life have you been striving to improve your level of accountability, lately?

OR

When you think about people you may have hurt, how can honesty help you feel closer to others?

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Disco Lies – Moby (3:21)

John Stuart Mills brief Bio (1:52)

Native American Consciousness Meditation (4:06)

English Analysis

In The Basic Text (p. 38), the call to “admit that we hurt others” demands courage and humility. Step 8 transforms awareness into accountability. As Carl Jung taught, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious” (Jung, 1959). This inventory shines light on denial and self-deception.

John Stuart Mill’s warning about harm through inaction reminds us that silence can wound as deeply as speech. His insight parallels the Wellbriety teaching: “Healing comes when we face the truth, even the parts that hurt.” Facing this truth requires letting go of false pride and acknowledging interdependence with our Higher Power and others.

In Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (p. 77), redoubling moral effort signals readiness for transformation. Viktor Frankl emphasized that responsibility gives meaning to freedom (Frankl, 1959). Likewise, Step 8 invites freedom through restitution. The act of listing names is not punishment—it is preparation for renewal. By taking full responsibility, we align humility with compassion and clear the path for peace.

When we see harm clearly, we reconnect to our shared humanity. The Wellbriety path teaches that honesty leads to balance, and balance restores the spirit. Through conscious awareness, we replace false pride with gratitude and open our hearts to healing relationships.


Zonr Post Quotes (Spanish Translation)

Con una imagen más clara
“Al hacer nuestra lista, ya no podemos negar que causamos daño. Admitimos que lastimamos a otros, directa o indirectamente, mediante alguna acción, mentira, promesa rota o negligencia.”
(El Texto Básico, p. 38)

Un inventario espiritual / moral completo
“En cierto grado, ya lo ha hecho al realizar un inventario moral, pero ahora ha llegado el momento en que debe redoblar sus esfuerzos para ver a cuántas personas ha lastimado y de qué maneras.”
(Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones, p. 77)

“Una persona puede causar el mal a otros no solo por sus acciones sino también por su inacción, y en ambos casos es justamente responsable ante ellos por el daño.”
– John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), economista y filósofo británico


Análisis en Español

En El Texto Básico (p. 38), el llamado a “admitir que lastimamos a otros” exige valor y humildad. El Paso 8 convierte la conciencia en responsabilidad. Como enseñó Carl Jung, “Uno no se ilumina imaginando figuras de luz, sino haciendo consciente la oscuridad” (Jung, 1959). Este inventario ilumina la negación y el autoengaño.

La advertencia de John Stuart Mill sobre el daño por inacción nos recuerda que el silencio también hiere. Su visión coincide con la enseñanza Wellbriety: “La sanación llega cuando enfrentamos la verdad, incluso las partes que duelen.” Enfrentar esta verdad requiere soltar el falso orgullo y reconocer nuestra interdependencia con el Poder Superior y los demás.

En Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones (p. 77), redoblar el esfuerzo moral señala disposición para transformarse. Viktor Frankl destacó que la responsabilidad da sentido a la libertad (Frankl, 1959). Del mismo modo, el Paso 8 invita a la libertad mediante la reparación. Hacer la lista no es castigo; es preparación para el renacimiento. Al asumir plena responsabilidad, unimos humildad y compasión, despejando el camino hacia la paz.

Cuando vemos el daño con claridad, reconectamos con nuestra humanidad compartida. El camino Wellbriety enseña que la honestidad conduce al equilibrio, y el equilibrio restaura el espíritu. Con conciencia, sustituimos el falso orgullo por gratitud y abrimos el corazón a relaciones sanadoras.

Pregunta:
Cuando piensas en personas que podrías haber lastimado, ¿cómo puede la honestidad ayudarte a sentirte más cerca de ellas?

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Comments

7 responses to “The Time has Come for All of Us to Walk the Walk – Step 8”

  1. eli Avatar
    eli

    Part of working on my defects has been recognizing how they impact my thoughts and actions every day. Defects can, in fact, be helpful- we develop thought systems and habits for a reason. However, there’s a point where they stop being helpful. Maladaptive. Nuance is necessary, not black-and-white thinking. In every situation there is a ‘most helpful’ way I can act, even if that’s just doing as little harm to myself and others as possible. That can mean holding my tongue. Sometimes, that can be shouting. It’s careful consideration that makes the difference

  2. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    Being aware that I can be harmful to others is important to me after having caused pain to people along my path. I think honesty in reflection can really help become a better person and peer to those around me, not making excuses for myself when I may have caused harm and cleaning my side of the street

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    It all starts with the list. Once I make the list then I’m honestly willing to make the amends to all the people I’ve harmed. This is not an easy step because it Demands a new kind of honesty about my relations with people that I’ve harmed. But it must be done in order for me to hold on to and enjoy my newfound sobriety

  4. Mink Avatar
    Mink

    I’m approaching my 8th step, and the idea of facing the harm I’ve caused is scary for sure. There’s part of me that wants to just avoid it. It’s important to face the harm I’ve done to people so I can grow. Also I struggle a lot with resistance to action. I can have good intentions and plans but I have to put them into practice.

  5. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    I find that when I try little is accomplished. When I do, change occurs and life improves. It is a subtle shift in my point of view. Yet for me it is a foundational change that helps me move out of ego and into grace. Improving my life and level of accountability has no end. It is a goal I strive for, never stop learning, growing and participating in life. The line is not straight, the hill is not uniform. Progress not perfection, each step as important as the next.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  6. easy does it Avatar
    easy does it

    in rehab we were taught we are as sick as our secrets
    by getting them out, it causes a sort of psychic healing
    pressure is released and a feeling of aaaaahhh happens
    …to me anyway

    1. Slim Jim Avatar
      Slim Jim

      “Your as sick as your secrets” seems so true. And it also means that redemption and healing is always available. That’s really good to know.

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