9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

How much does it mean for you to say that you're sorry?  How much would it mean to you if someone who wronged you told you they were sorry?  Apologize and make amends if you can.

But think about what you're trying to do.

Sometime there is no fixing things and sometimes trying to fix things can make things worst.  Follow the physician's oath on this: first do no harm.

 My view of the steps... they have become a forumla, and from the bottom- step 1- they do look formidable.

This is how i put them...

Step 1.  Please, help. Steps 1 thru three.

Step 2. Sorry...steps 4 thru 7. Then a routine look at steps 8 and 9. Then a regular look at Step 10.

Step 3. Thanks!   Steps 11 and 12.

I need to do a step 8 and 9 with someone close to me. But there are big faults on both sides. And it is based on bad bad information from someone close to both of us, now dead.

How to winkle out of that one?

Really it is not a cop-out... everyday things I do deal with every day. The bigger complicated ones- I try to deal with when I have an opportunity. I practise my programme every day to that when the opportunity comes along I am ready!

One time at a time,

David.