Step 9

Making Amends

Direct action to straighten out the past and find a new freedom.

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

The Approach: Am I following the "precise actions" of the authors?
Consultation: Have I consulted with someone experienced to avoid "causing even more harm"?
Courage over Fear: Am I willing to lose my fear and "not be the hasty and foolish martyr"?

When making an approach, we must let others clear their conscience too. Humbly listen without arguing:

1. Can you tell me how this made you feel?

2. How can I make this right?

3. Is there anything else you’d like to say to me?

"Spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. Our behavior will convince them more than our words." (Pg.83, L10)

The Result: A Psychic Change of Mind

Untreated (The Bedevilments)	Treated (The Promises)
Trouble with personal relationships	Self-seeking slips away; we gain interest in our fellows
Couldn't control emotional natures	We will comprehend serenity and we will know peace
Prey to misery and depression	We intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us
Full of fear	Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us
Feeling of uselessness	We see how our experience can benefit others
Unhappy	We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness
Couldn't be of real help to others	We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it

"Most of all... We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves" (Pg.84)