A Walk Through The 12-Steps: Step 9
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- CarolM
- Othello
- LindaB_2
- Jausten
- gramps-mi
- Dan_Ellsworth
- LyndaK
- Wendo
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» Othello - This Step is certainly harder than the last step was. However,
This Step is certainly harder than the last step was. However, as I read this article, I think back to the two most important people I have made amends with, and without knowing it have used these steps in making those amends. How good it feels to finally put an end to the past, the things that I can not change, and concentrate on what is happening now at this moment.-- posted by Othello
» LindaB_2 - Linda L. Boling This is an excellent article and shows us how
Linda L. BolingThis is an excellent article and shows us how we must deal with the past before we can move into the future.
For years I carried around a lot of excess emotional baggage over past hurts I had caused to loved ones and friends. I felt years younger and pounds lighter when I finally went or wrote to those people and made amends. Not all accepted my apology and explanation but that didn't matter as much to me as knowing I had tried and that the burden was now gone from me.
The damage that past hurts can do is enormous and many of us don't realize how they affect even the way we treat new people in our lives whom we have not yet done anything too.
Friends have told me how my personality and even my voice has changed since I began the Twelve Steps in my personal relationships. They tell me I seemed always angry and were even afraid to say things to me at times because of my demeanor.
One other thing that I now do as soon as possible after a "hurtful" episode is to say, "I'm sorry." This by no means says that I am to blame for everything that happens but rather that I am sorry we have come to this point and are having difficulties. It lets both of us move on with our relationship.
Thank you for the wonderful article. I intend to read the others.
Was out of touch for awhile because of computer problems.
With gratitude,
Linda Boling.
-- posted by LindaB_2
» Jausten - Thank you... This is probably one of the hardest steps to do,
Thank you...This is probably one of the hardest steps to do, but as you've all mentioned, it does help us when we can make our amends and just accept the responses that we receive. The last three steps will be written in a couple of weeks. Writing about these steps certainly has helped me...
Jausten, aka Cynthia
Suite 101 Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia
-- posted by Jausten
» gramps-mi - Hi Cynthia, I keep reading your articles. The 12 steps are
Hi Cynthia,I keep reading your articles. The 12 steps are being used and praticed eveyday for me. Having used this program in AA i do really appreciate your insight into each of the steps. They have provided me with several new ways of dealing with my daily personal life.
You are aware of my VN participation. I still have not dragged that out from under whatever/wherever I buried it. Maybe it is just as well. The treatment of the returning veterans was very rude and unwelcoming throughout most if the US. Yet, I had a duty and job to perform and it was done. My time was spent in the "Big Red One"--1st Division.
Anyway, thank you for sheding yet another light in my life in using the 12 step program in dealing with my hidden FM and alcohalism.
Your time and effort devoted to your articles has to be tremendous and your joy in doing it comes out with your wonderful words and insight.
Big warm gentle soft cuddlies special friend
Les
akaGramps
-- posted by gramps-mi
» Dan_Ellsworth - Why would somebody without Fibromyalgia hang out here? To learn
Why would somebody without Fibromyalgia hang out here? To learn from people seeking to bring spiritual nourishment into difficult lives. There are enough parallels with less constant, less extreme stressors, that often I can come here and gain understanding of my own life. Thank you - all who share from your lives here. You have done well, by making your "field testing" of principles serve others. I hope you keep on communicating.Dan Ellsworth, Editor, "Christianity"
-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth
» LyndaK - Lynda Konazeski Hello to all. I just joined SuiteSpot tonight a
Lynda KonazeskiHello to all. I just joined SuiteSpot tonight and was extremly pleased to find a site such as this. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia six years ago and I have never spoken to or had any contact with anyone else with the same diagnosis. As you all know, it can sometimes be very lonely when there is no one to talk to about the pain, fatigue and all the other things that come with the territory. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a complainer nor do I ever give -up and it's not that I'm happy that there are others out there with the same disease; it's just that I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. I will be visiting this site often so I hope to be talking with you all soon. Hoping to make a few new friends, too.
Lynda Konazeski
-- posted by LyndaK
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