Step Eight

Made a list of all persons we had harmed,
and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step Questions Leader's Share

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Recovery; Here are the questions that pertain to step 8. STEP EIGHT QUESTIONS: List something positive that you have done for somebody else during the last week. Discuss and reflect on your need (past and present) to control and manipulate others, be specific. Discuss and reflect on your need to make amends, do you have the willingness to do so? Why is it necessary to "Make a list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make amends” before you can start relating harmoniously to God and to other people? What emotional harm have you done to yourself? What kinds of harm have you done to others? What personality traits have injured you and disturbed others? Construct a "long list" of people who have been affected by your behavior. This can be in a positive as well as in a negative way. Is there anybody not on your list that you are still doing emotional battle over? Deeply and honestly search all your motives and actions in your past and present relationships when completing your list of any amends you may need to make. Think carefully of past relationships and any resentments you may have and check your own part in creating these disturbances. Write on at least one of these relationships. Why is forgiveness of the utmost importance in working Step Eight? Why is the taking of this step "the beginning of the end of isolation" from our fellows and God? LEADER'S SHARE         During last week, I gave a sponsee some strong words of encouragement that she needed.         I was the type who always allowed others to control, manipulate, and take advantage of me. Many of the worst resentments in my past resulted from this trait.         I make amends as soon as I know I need to. Step 8 was a fairly easy step for me. To be in harmony with God and others, making amends was necessary in order to remove all of the guilt and shame from my past and to have my body, mind, and spirit free of all encumbrances.         In my past, I have done significant emotional harm to myself from eating, isolation, self-pity, resentments, fear, low self-esteem, and allowing others to take advantage of me.         I’ve harmed others by acting out when I reached my boiling point. I would say things to others or do something and deny it later. Because of my fear or others, I would say things looking the other way and do things when nobody is looking.         I have made my step 8 amends and new amends are now handled in step 10. Forgiveness is critical in working this step. Sometimes others have harmed me and I need to forgive them before I can make an amend to them. I say the prayer I shared in step 5 whenever there is somebody I need to forgive. Love In Recovery, Dennis Tisdale Step 7 Index Step 9 Step One Step Two Step Three Step Four Step Five Step Six Step Seven Step Eight WTS Home The Twelve Steps Recovery Home © Copyright 1995 ~ 2010 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved