Thursday, September 14, 2006
A.A.: Into Action: Straightening Out the Past
"...we will never get over drinking until we have done our utmost to straighten out the past. We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that nothing worth while can be accomplished until we do so..."
Alcoholics Anonymous
Into Action
Page 77
Making direct amends to people I have harmed, as Step 9 suggests, is some of the most difficult work I do in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is also some of the most rewarding. This was especially true early on in sobriety and in particular to those people whom I did not like so much.
When I was drinking, I did things that were really out of character for me. I did things I regretted and for which I was ashamed. I did mean things and dishonest things. And I never apologized to anyone... I rationalized my behavior as justified, blamed my actions on others, or simply denied my words and drowned any guilt with more alcohol. But deep down, I knew it was wrong. Deep down, I felt ashamed and unworthy. I lived in fear of the past.
Through A.A. I have owned up to those mistakes and faced the fear head-on. I have restored respect to people I have trashed and been given courage to do the next right thing. I have swept my side of the street. The past no longer has a hold on me and does not define who I am today.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
Alcoholics Anonymous
Into Action
Page 77
Making direct amends to people I have harmed, as Step 9 suggests, is some of the most difficult work I do in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is also some of the most rewarding. This was especially true early on in sobriety and in particular to those people whom I did not like so much.
When I was drinking, I did things that were really out of character for me. I did things I regretted and for which I was ashamed. I did mean things and dishonest things. And I never apologized to anyone... I rationalized my behavior as justified, blamed my actions on others, or simply denied my words and drowned any guilt with more alcohol. But deep down, I knew it was wrong. Deep down, I felt ashamed and unworthy. I lived in fear of the past.
Through A.A. I have owned up to those mistakes and faced the fear head-on. I have restored respect to people I have trashed and been given courage to do the next right thing. I have swept my side of the street. The past no longer has a hold on me and does not define who I am today.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
# posted by Bill B. @ 3:01 PM 
