my daily reflections…

i have come to understand and believe that the spiritual principle of step eight is brotherly love. this step directs me to list those i have harmed and to become willin to make amends; not with instant action, but with a readiness of heart to repair the damage i have caused. when i first approached this step, willingness alone was not enough. i needed the foundation built by the earlier steps: the honesty of step one to face the truth, the hope of step two to believe change was possible, the faith of step three to trust in a Power greater than myself, the courage of step four to confront my past, the integrity of step five to speak it aloud, the willingness of step six to embrace change, and the humility of step seven to accept help in that change. only then could i offer the brotherly love step eight suggested. what began as fragile strands of spiritual growth, like a flimsy reed, have been strengthened by the powerful yet gentle hand of my HP. today, those principles not only guide me in makin amends, they sustain me in livin each day with purpose, compassion, and strength. 1 day @ a time…