Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
This is definitely one of the most rewarding steps. It’s scary, but the more fear and shame I face, it seems the larger the treasure I find behind that fear. This was also the first step that I saw God’s hand physically and objectively reaching down from Heaven and touching my world in ways that I can’t deny.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
The first time I worked step 8, I did it alone. Maybe because of my pride, fear, or shame. It didn’t go well, because I bring all of my character defects with me into that list and I need another set of eyes on the list – my sponsor’s eyes – so that I can see clearly enough to make a good list. This step is extremely important. It can show me many levels of my dysfunction and help me make my relationships more healthy going forward, in addition to fixing relationships from the past.
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