Grey Book Reflection
The Eighth Step starts the procedure of forgiving other people, being forgiven by them, and learning how to live in the world as a drug-free human being.
Gray Book, p. 50 (Step Eight, Lines 15-18
In Steps Seven, Eight and Nine, our Hearts start to Recover. The Heart has always been a symbol of Love, Forgiveness and Courage. In the Seventh Step the God Of Our Understanding Forgives us, as we ask for our shortcomings to be removed.
Since we're not Greater than God, we learn to Forgive ourselves and others in the Eighth Step. In the Ninth Step we ask for Forgiveness from others, and if they don't, we in turn Forgive them. The Eighth Step prepares us to actually be Willing to go out and find the people, places and things on our list.
It shows us where we were wrong and in turn we can see how others are just as fallible as we are. We see how our addiction puts us in situations to hurt ourselves, and for others to hurt us. The Eighth Step shows us how we provoked some people to act out on their defects and hurt us.
Although some of us were actual victims when we were children, as we Forgive those people, we are released from our resentments and being victims. Amends means to Change, we Change our Thoughts, Actions and Attitudes. We give ourselves and others the opportunity to be released from anger and resentment.
Sometimes Forgiving others is really for us. Our Heart starts to feel Compassion and Love toward others. The clearing of these obstacles enables us to Live the Principles of the Program and Carry this Message to the addict who still suffers.
We will get the most out of our Eighth Step by remaining open to Forgiveness.