8th Step
Eight
11/Jun/08
In the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The
Mikado, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner,
sings,
As someday it may happen that a victim must be found,
I've got a little list, I've got a little list ...
In Step Eight we've made our list of victims, not to be beheaded, but to be the recipients of amends that we owe. In my case it was a long and scary list, but I have not let myself be stopped proceeding to the next Step because it is hard, or because I can't do it all perfectly, or because I can't get it all done overnight.
As someday it may happen that a victim must be found,
I've got a little list, I've got a little list ...
In Step Eight we've made our list of victims, not to be beheaded, but to be the recipients of amends that we owe. In my case it was a long and scary list, but I have not let myself be stopped proceeding to the next Step because it is hard, or because I can't do it all perfectly, or because I can't get it all done overnight.
—Anonymous
Unburdening
02/Jun/08
Guilt is a burden that keeps me from living fully
and freely. I can get rid of my guilt by
admitting where and when I have done wrong to
others—and to myself. With the Eight Step I found
a way to release myself from guilt's clutches.
This Step suggests that I put down on paper a list of everyone I have harmed and become willing to make amends to them. When I see that list on the table in front of me, it begins to seem manageable. I can begin to contemplate making amends to this specific group of people. The task begins to seem doable.
I don't have to do it yet, making amends is the Ninth Step, but I need to become willing see the harm that I've done to others, and I need to have the desire to clear things up.
This Step suggests that I put down on paper a list of everyone I have harmed and become willing to make amends to them. When I see that list on the table in front of me, it begins to seem manageable. I can begin to contemplate making amends to this specific group of people. The task begins to seem doable.
I don't have to do it yet, making amends is the Ninth Step, but I need to become willing see the harm that I've done to others, and I need to have the desire to clear things up.
—Anonymous
Became Willing
19/Apr/08
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and
became willing to make amends to them all.
The principal thought here is willingness. Willingness to admit our mistakes and be accountable for our guilt. The only action in the Step is making a list.
Who have I injured? Have I taken out my frustrations on them? Have I neglected them? What have I really done?
This Step brings us to the point where we are ready to begin to follow one of Christ's commands—Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
The principal thought here is willingness. Willingness to admit our mistakes and be accountable for our guilt. The only action in the Step is making a list.
Who have I injured? Have I taken out my frustrations on them? Have I neglected them? What have I really done?
This Step brings us to the point where we are ready to begin to follow one of Christ's commands—Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
—Anonymous