I have been in recovery for 16 years,,, and did all the Steps the first year, but am finding that in repeating them I find more and more and more,,, and I learn more and more and more. Recovery is, indeed, a lifetime process. I find that the reading I am doing to do my service to this board is benefitting me greatly,,, seeing the Steps from all the perspectives of AA, ACA and ACoA.
I also find that the ability that I had to apply the Steps to my life that first year, was very limited, and so it was kind of like mostly just theory, but that the more I learn and practice, the more able I am to do the Step 12 - putting these principles to work in all my daily affairs.
I am sooooo greatful to be able to benefit from those who first started the 12 Step programs in AA in 1935... Bill W. and all,,, so that I can follow their example in using a method that works, instead of continuing to flounder haphazardly whistling in the dark.
Step 8 - becoming willing to make amends to those I have harmed. As the ACA version says,,, it is easier to focus on how others have harmed me,, than on my part in the chaos. Making amends sometimes makes me vulnerable to the person I am trying to make amends to, if they decide to take the opportunity to abuse me some more. But the list and becoming willing also help me to be willing to change,,, and improve what I do in the future... the amends is often in stopping a negative behavior and replacing it with a more positive behavior,,, and that is recovery. It also does take humility, and recognition that I do have to consider others instead of just doing things my way.
love in recovery,
amanda
GammyRose said
Feb 24, 2005
Amanda,Thanks for your share, I needed it today, as I am working on making amends to my husband who just got out of a halfway house and it has been hard. But God just keep pointing me in the direction I need to go with this. I find myself expecting him to make amends to me and it isn't happening and I just want to forget my amends to him and God says that's not the way it works. This step is for me not him....hmmmmm.
I have been in recovery for 16 years,,, and did all the Steps the first year, but am finding that in repeating them I find more and more and more,,, and I learn more and more and more. Recovery is, indeed, a lifetime process. I find that the reading I am doing to do my service to this board is benefitting me greatly,,, seeing the Steps from all the perspectives of AA, ACA and ACoA.
I also find that the ability that I had to apply the Steps to my life that first year, was very limited, and so it was kind of like mostly just theory, but that the more I learn and practice, the more able I am to do the Step 12 - putting these principles to work in all my daily affairs.
I am sooooo greatful to be able to benefit from those who first started the 12 Step programs in AA in 1935... Bill W. and all,,, so that I can follow their example in using a method that works, instead of continuing to flounder haphazardly whistling in the dark.
Step 8 - becoming willing to make amends to those I have harmed. As the ACA version says,,, it is easier to focus on how others have harmed me,, than on my part in the chaos. Making amends sometimes makes me vulnerable to the person I am trying to make amends to, if they decide to take the opportunity to abuse me some more. But the list and becoming willing also help me to be willing to change,,, and improve what I do in the future... the amends is often in stopping a negative behavior and replacing it with a more positive behavior,,, and that is recovery. It also does take humility, and recognition that I do have to consider others instead of just doing things my way.
love in recovery,
amanda
Amanda,Thanks for your share, I needed it today, as I am working on making amends to my husband who just got out of a halfway house and it has been hard. But God just keep pointing me in the direction I need to go with this. I find myself expecting him to make amends to me and it isn't happening and I just want to forget my amends to him and God says that's not the way it works. This step is for me not him....hmmmmm.
(((Hugs)))
GammyRose