June 22 in The Little Blue Book ONE DAY at a TIME in AL-ANON
June 22 in The Little Blue Book ONE DAY at a TIME in AL-ANON:
Today I will consider, quietly and deeply, Step Eight: “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”
The central thought is willingness – to admit our errors so that we can clear our inner consciousness of guilt.
The only action this Step calls for is to make a list. I can do this by allowing my oppressive, nagging guilts to rise to the surface of my mind, ready to be disposed of, so they can trouble me no more.
TODAY’S REMINDER
Whom have I injured? Surely those closest to me – my family. I know that my hostile reaction to the alcoholic has been hurtful. Have I also damaged my children by subtly indoctrinating them with contempt for their alcoholic parent? Have I communicated my anxiety and resentment to them? Have I taken out my frustrations on them?
“The Eighth Step places us on the threshold of freedom from self-hate; it opens the door to new peace of mind which, once enjoyed, we will never want to lose.”