Grey Book Reflection
There are some things we can make direct amends for; some we can only make partial amends for; and some that we remember nothing about.
Gray Book, p. 53 (Step Nine, Lines 29-31)
In active addiction, addicts created a destructive path that affected our lives and the lives of others. Just like a tornado the end of it brings much relief.
Unfortunately, we were left with the wreckage. Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional harms were some results of active addiction. Chapter Three in our Basic Text states, "We did many people great harm, but most of all we harmed ourselves. " One of the first Amends we make is staying Clean because we are no longer part of the problem. Now we are part of the Solution.
Direct Amends involves looking for the people, places and things we caused harm to. Then we make Amends by rectifying and offering resolutions.
We approach our Amends without any expectations of the results. In the Program of Narcotics Anonymous, we make these Amends because we have to. It's not necessarily to feel good about ourselves or clear our conscience.
We also can make indirect Amends when direct Amends would cause more damage than good. Our Sponsors will help us with our completed list of names. They will show us where on the list can be more harmful or where we can't make direct Amends at all.
For us, sanity can mean effectively relating to others. The Amends process can relieve fears, guilt and remorse of the past.
It allows us to Live Happy, Joyous and Free. We will always be open to the Amends process in our lifelong Journey.
With the guidance of the God of Our Understanding and the Fellowship of N.A., we continuously experience a miracle as we discover and Admit our faults.