October 6: Just for Today meditation, read by Sabina

Just for Today meditation for October 6, read by Sabina

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October 6

Amends without expectations

"Projections about actually making amends can be a major obstacle both in making the list and in becoming willing."

Basic Text p.38

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The Eighth Step asks us to become willing to make amends to all persons we have harmed. As we approach this step, we may wonder what the outcome of our amends will be. Will we be forgiven? Relieved of any lingering guilt? Or will we be tarred and feathered by the persons we've harmed?

Our tendency to seek forgiveness must be surrendered if we expect to receive the spiritual benefits of the Eighth and Ninth Steps. If we approach these steps expecting anything, we're likely to be very disappointed with the results. We want to ask ourselves if we are pinning our hopes on gaining the forgiveness of the person to whom we are making amends. Or maybe we're hoping we'll be excused from our debts by some sympathetic creditor moved to tears by our hard-luck story.

We need to be willing to make our amends regardless of the outcome. We can plan the amends, but we can't plan the results. Although we may not be granted a full pardon by everyone to whom we owe amends, we will learn to forgive ourselves. In the process, we will find that we no longer have to carry the burdens of the past.

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Just for today:

I will let go of any expectations I have on the people to whom I owe amends.

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© NA World Services

This podcast is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous, and is an independent production of the Works of Wisdom

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is your Spiritual Principleof the Day episode featuring of
a featuring of a recovering addict.
Hi, my name is Sabina. My clean date is September 9th,

(00:26):
2000. You're listening to the Voices
of Recovery podcast. This is the just for today, for
October 6th. Amends without expectations.
Projections about actually making amends can be a major
obstacle, both in making the list and in becoming willing.

(00:50):
Basic Text page 39 The 8th step asks us to become willing to
make amends to all persons we have harmed.
As we approach this step, we maywonder what the outcome of our
amends will be. Will we be forgiven, relieved of
any lingering guilt? Or will we be tired and

(01:13):
feathered by the persons we've harmed?
Our tendency to seek forgivenessmust be surrendered if we expect
to receive the spiritual benefits of the 8th and ninth
steps. If we approach these steps
expecting anything, we're likelyto be very disappointed with the
results. We want to ask ourselves if we

(01:35):
are pinning our hopes on gainingthe forgiveness of the person to
whom we are making amends. Or maybe we're hoping we'll be
excused from our debts by some sympathetic creditor moved to
tears by our hard luck story. We need to be willing to make
our amends, regardless of the outcome.

(01:56):
We can plan the amends, but we can't plan the results.
Although we may not be granted afull pardon by everyone to whom
we owe amends, we will learn to forgive ourselves.
In the process, we will find that we no longer have to carry
the burdens of the past. Just for today, I will let go of

(02:17):
any expectations I have and the people to whom I owe amends.
The Voices of Recovery Podcast is an independent production of
the Works of Wisdom. We welcome your questions and
donations via PayPal at [e-mail].
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated

(02:39):
with, associated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or
in any way officially connected with Narcotics Anonymous or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
While any literature may be readduring episodes for the purpose
of supporting recovery, such usedoes not constitute an official
endorsement or representation byNarcotics Anonymous.
In accordance with any tradition, the NA name is not to

(03:02):
be used to endorse or be affiliated with any outside
enterprise, and no such endorsement or affiliation is
implied. Music is by SAGE.
Thanks for listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.