REPAIRING THE DAMAGE

“Good judgment, a careful sense of timing, courage and prudence—these are the qualities we shall need when we take Step Nine.”
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83

To make amends can be viewed in two ways: first, that of repairing damage, for if I have damaged my neighbor’s fence, I “make a mend,” and that it is a direct amend; the second way is by modifying my behavior, for if my actions have harmed someone, I make a daily effort to cause no further harm. I “mend my ways,” and that is in an indirect amend. Which is the best approach? The only right approach, provided that I am causing no further harm in so doing, is to do both. If harm is done, then I simply “mend my ways.” To take action in this manner assures me of making honest amends.

From the book Daily Reflections
© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.