REPAIRING THE DAMAGE

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Daily Reflections – August 14

We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accu- mulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

Making a list of people I had harmed was not a particularly difficult thing to do. They had showed up in my Fourth Step inventory: people towards whom I had resentments, real or imagined, and whom I had hurt by acts of retaliation. For my recovery to be thorough, I believed it was not important for those who had legitimately harmed me to make amends to me. What is important in my relationship with God is that I stand before Him, knowing I have done what I can to repair the damage I have done.

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Mary W.'s picture

Submitted by Mary W. on Wed, 08/14/2013 - 10:25

One of the things that hampered me from getting through Step 9 was waiting for those who had harmed me to make amends to me.  They never did.  Even if they were in AA.  Letting go of these people took time and some of them have passed away.  I have forgiven them for their tresspasses, because I want peace in my life.  I was taught that what someone else does in none of my business and if those who harmed me don't want to apologize, then I have to allow that to be.  Until I allowed my Higher Power to intervene in all my affairs, I wasn't going to have a very happy, joyful and free sobriety.  When I became free of the idea that they had to make amends, my life turned around.