Topic for the week: Step 9
We are all invited to share on Step 9. The steps are our blueprint for living sober lives.
*** Step 9 ***
“Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”
This step is listed in Chapter 5, How it Works, from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known as the Big Book) (see p. 59). There’s much more in Chapter 6 (Into Action), starting in the middle of page 76. There’s even more about it in the book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
*** Where to get the books, Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions ***
You can find these books at many f2f AA meetings; you can order them online from many places. And they are available from the AA General Service office, to read online, in English, French, and Spanish. See www.aa.org
Today I would like to share the reading from our daily readers, Daily Reflections:
BUILDING A NEW LIFE
September 03
We feel a man is unthinking when he says sobriety is enough.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 82
When I reflect on Step Nine, I see that physical sobriety must be enough for me. I need to remember the hopelessness I felt before I found sobriety, and how I was willing to go to any lengths for it. Physical sobriety is not enough for those around me, however, since I must see that God’s gift is used to build a new life for my family and loved ones. Just as importantly, I must be available to help others who want the A.A. way of life.
I ask God to help me share the gift of sobriety so that its benefits may be shown to those I know and love.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
My share:
I was physically sober for 8 years, and that was my whole program other than praying to God like he was Santa Claus and trying to be a decent person.
It wasn’t enough at all. And only through working the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have I found any real ability at all to have healthy and loving relationships with other human beings.
All the steps up to this need to be thorough and complete, and then this one rockets us into the fourth dimension once we walk through it with good judgement, courage and prudence.
Thank you for the honor of chairing this meeting the floor is now open for sharing.