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

All the steps are listed on pages 59 & 60, but this is where the instructions for this step can be found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.


Our own mistakesWhom did I hurt?How to make amends?
Practice these.
self-indulgence my family discipline * restraint
self-pity Grandparents helpfulness
self-justification co-workers fairness * empathy * understanding * justice
self-importance The Courts modesty
self-condemnation last employer mercy
impatience slow drivers patience
false pride society humility
laziness family action
procrastination creditors action now * sense of urgency
criticism last manager positive quality focus
insincerity fellow member sincerity
dishonesty employer honesty * truth * giving back * fairness
rationalization others no excuses, owning up
indecision/worry bus partner God's inspiration, decision, intuitive thoughts
conceit ex-fiance equality
carelessness old crew carfulness or caring
intolerance colleage tolerance
sarcasm everyone kindness
anger step mom peace * let it go
envy wealthy gratitude
jealousy competitors give grace * bless * practice being satisfied
greed my kids generosity
lust beautiful people shift desire to HP, purity, marriage, commitment, chaste, decency, resist temptation, help others
hate politics love * empathy
revenge ex-fiance forgiveness * forgive 70 x 7
suspicion Bob trust * build trust * follow facts
fear old Job faith * hope * courage






AA, p. 76, paragraph 3, lines 6-13

Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated 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.

HOMEWORK Read pages 76 thru 83. (Study this in depth, guidance on making amends.)

AA, p. 83, paragraph 2,3,4

The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. Unless one's family expresses a desire to live upon spiritual principles we think we ought not to urge them. We should not talk incessantly to them about spiritual matters. They will change in time. Our behavior will convince them more than our words. We must remember that ten or twenty years of drunkenness would make a skeptic out of anyone.

There may be some wrongs we can never fully right. We don't worry about them if we can honestly say to ourselves that we would right them if we could. Some people cannot be seen - we send them an honest letter. And there may be a valid reason for postponement in some cases. But we don't delay if it can be avoided. We should be sensible, tactful, considerate and humble without being servile or scraping. As God's people we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone.

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the

AA, page 84

word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.




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