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The
word “apologize” is used a lot in many meeting discussions where the
“topic” is Step 9. It is of
interest to note that one definition of APOLOGIZE is “to justify thinking or
actions.” THAT is the type of thinking that we are attempting to move away
FROM! The same dictionary,
defines AMEND: “to set right, restore, replace or renew.”
With this in mind, the Big Book statement
on Page 83, “A remorseful mumbling that we are sorry won’t fill the bill at
all” takes on a deeper meaning! In
performing the ACTION of Step 9, we are, with God’s help,
DOing our part in the work
regarding the Spiritual Structure mentioned in our basic text: “THE NEW AND
TRIUMPHANT ARCH THROUGH WHICH ... WE SHALL WALK A FREE MAN AT LAST.” (Needless
to say, ladies too!) This is where
we can truly begin to EXPERIENCE “The
spiritual life is not a theory,” and thus be set FREE OF SELF so that we may
be of maximum Service to others. We
have met countless alcoholics who have balked at this phase of the recovery
process, and the results have been consistently disastrous.
Some - though physically sober - have retained a high degree of the
RESTLESS, IRRITABLE and DISCONTENTED nature of the untreated alcoholic, others
have gotten drunk, some committed suicide, and many
suffered from “THE UNLIVED LIFE”, that deviously subtle form of being
shortchanged on what this wAAy
of Life has to offer. There
are (to our count) 147 PROMISES
in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.
Over 150 if we include “Dr. Bob’s Nightmare.” A
seemingly disproportionate number are woven
into Step 9. Remember, with proper
guidance and Guidance,
these too, shall come to pass for you.
Study, discuss, pray for
“CREATIVE SOLUTIONS,” and DO it. TRUST
that it will come to be recognized as an opportunity “YOU MUST NOT MISS.” Regardless
which approach is used, if we have been diligent and thorough in Step work and
are attempting to pass on what has been given us, we will have begun “living
in the Realm of the Spirit.” Combined
with prayer and meditation, this becomes a “state of conscious readiness,”
that we can embrace when we “just happen” to meet some guy on the street.
Or a name comes up in a dream, or just falls out of the air onto you
plate! These then are the times
that we will KNOW at the intuitive level that NOW is the time to take the ACTION
for this person. God has paved
the way! This type of
awareness and readiness helps us to develop a trust of our previously
UNSUSPECTED INNER RESOURCE. (See pages 569-570) We begin to KNOW that the “vital sixth sense” does indeed exist! We begin to comprehend the concept of “Life happens FROM you, not TO you.”
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