AND REACH FOR THE STARS – “There is no model of the recovering addict. When the drugs go and the addict works the program, wonderful things happen. Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise. Our willingness to grow spiritually keeps us buoyant.” (The Basic Text, p.91)
THE SOLUTION – “Timing is an essential part of this step. We should make amends when the opportunity presents itself, except when to do so will cause harm.” “We want to be free of guilt, but we don’t wish to do so at the expense of anyone else.” (The Basic Text, p. 32)
Today’s SFZ
“He who carries out one good deed acquires one advocate on his own behalf, and he who commits one transgression acquires one accuser against himself. Repentance and good works are like a shield against calamity.”
– The Talmud (200 ~ 500 CE) a compendium of oral Jewish law
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)
“It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance.”
– 14th Dalai Lama (1935 – ) Tibetan spiritual leader on how to ease tensions
HARM DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A VACUUM – ” … Step Eight isn’t simply a restatement of our inventory. We are now looking for the people, places, and institutions we harmed, not just the types of harm we inflicted. [We] didn’t just lie; we lied to someone. [We] didn’t just steal; we stole from various people.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 56 to cause harm)
“The healthiest of all human emotions is gratitude.”
– Hans Selye (1907 – 1982) Canadian biologist on stress theories
“FEAR IS A STRANGER TO THE WAYS OF LOVE” – “I am at home. Fear is the stranger here. Fear is a stranger to the ways of love. Identify with fear, and you will be a stranger to yourself. And thus you are unknown to you (ACIM Wkbk Lesson 160)
“If you know the
enemy and know your-
self you need not fear the
results of a hundred battles.”
– Sun Tzu (c. 403-221 BC) Chinese philosopher/ war tactician
Today’s SFZ