Changing Motives"When we finally get own selfish motives out of the way, we begin to find a peace that we never imagined possible."Basic Text, p. 44As we examined our beliefs, our actions, and our motives in recovery, we'll find that sometimes we do things for the wrong reasons. In our early recovery, we may have spent a great deal of money and time on people, wanting only for them to like us. Late...

Direct and indirect amends"We make our amends to the best of our ability."Basic Text, p. 40The Ninth Step tells us to make direct amends wherever possible. Our experience tells us to follow up those direct amends with long-lasting changes in our attitudes and our behaviour - that is, with indirect amends.For example, say we've broken someone's window because we were angry. Looking soulfully into th...

"Good" and "bad" feelings"A lot happens in one day, both negative and positive. If we do not take time to appreciate both, perhaps we will miss something that will help us grow."IP No. 8, Just For TodayMost of us seem to unconsciously judge what happens in our lives each day as good or bad, success or failure. We tend to feel happy about the "good" and angry, frustrated, or guilty about the "bad."...

Friends and amends - keeping it simple"We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to od so would injure them or others."Step NineIn every relationship, we don't always handle things the way we would have hoped. But friendships don't have to end when we make mistakes; instead, we can make amends. If we are sincerely willing to accept the responsibilities involved in friendsh...

Balancing The Scales"A lot of our chief concerns and major difficulties come from our inexperience with living without drugs. Often when we ask an oldtimer what to do, we are amazed at the simplicity of the answer."Basic Text, p. 41-42Finding balance in recovery is quite a bit like sitting down with a set of scales and a pile of sand. The goal is to have an equal amount of sand on each side of the...