[nandm]

Day 5

Painstaking

"All I want is the best of everything, and there's very little of that left." Lucius Beebe

As we review "The Promises" we discussed in Step Nine, certain words stand out that merit a closer look. For example, "If we have been painstaking aobut this phase of our development..."

As we worked Step Nine, were we entirely willing to make complete amends to others? Or have we held back to some degree---telling the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth?

Have we refrained from placing blame on others? Or have we, by innuendo, given them the message that they are also guilty?

Have we freely admitted to manipulating situations so that we could salve our own consciencce, whether it caused discomfort to others or not?

Have we admitted our wrongs to others in a cold and dispassionate manner, giving them the impression that we're condescending and superior?

If we fault ourselves on any of the above ploys, Step Ten gives us an opportunity to rectify it before we compound any more half-measures or evasions that will come back to haunt us.

Today's Step: I reconsider whether I have been painstakign enough in making my amends.

Step by Step. Muriel Zink