I guess that most of us have made mistakes during our active addiction that we clung to for a long time. Letting go of those of mistakes is a sure sign of spiritual fitness and growth in recovery. But how does one do that? What step addresses that? What activity can one engage in to finally be able to accept yourself, your failures and your achievements?
Hey Don! short replies for now but for me, As I accepted that the God of my understanding has forgiven me (my personal faith beliefs)and I also reach out to forgive others(very difficult at times)and make "amends" with myself(I am not a proponent of self forgiveness ,that is a personal issue even though our literature writes about it)I may think of the past know in my heart I have been forgiven and move forward. I believe that all of our steps can address our issues(I know I am working step 1 again with a sponcee and the "admission,powerlessness(that is powerlessness over anything that is controlling our lives once we put the substance away)unmanageability,obsession .compulsion,reservations and all that can always be revisted,step 6 "are we really entirely ready?did we do a thorough 8th and 9th and so on(for me)...I usually try and get out of my head and reach out somehow to be of "help" in any different way(service In NA, help in church,really work with people I serve at work,work in the "lunch box" when I can etc.. ,not to remove guilt or "try to make up for past" but because it spiritually gets me back on track and reaching ever so much more toward my Higher Power.. this morning my spiritual writngs tell me"we must accept finite disappointments, but never lose infinite hope...I do not forsake in the dark ,What God has shown me in the light(and believe me its been real dark up in here last bunch of years! I always give my HIgher Power the praise ,HONOR AND GLORY FOR ANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS BIG OR SMALL..and there have been many...starting with having the opportunity to remain clean only thru God's grace and some work I continue to do..You have a wonderful spirit of care for your fellow man and reach out here to help others,yours truly included...Walk in Faith my friend"being sure of what you hope for ,and certain of what you have not seen! Ramblings from another just like you///peace my brother.... hey good thing i didnt do long version huh :) :)
-- Edited by MIKEF on Wednesday 13th of April 2011 10:08:09 AM
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I guess that most of us have made mistakes during our active addiction that we clung to for a long time. Letting go of those of mistakes is a sure sign of spiritual fitness and growth in recovery. But how does one do that? What step addresses that? What activity can one engage in to finally be able to accept yourself, your failures and your achievements?
Nobody was/is better at beating up me than me. For years I didn't believe I deserved this better way of life, I felt lower than an amoeba on the evolutionary scale. I was worthless scum of the earth.
While all the Steps lead towards growth, Inventory and Amends seems a big key in self acceptance. An inventory not just being about defects, but must also include assets. And amends not just being to others, but myself. Most of us think we are both worse and at the same time better than we really are!
Sure I still beat myself up sometimes, but now rather than beating myself with a cat-o-nine tales it's usually a wet noodle.
I mean if I truly believe God forgives me my shortcomings, who am I to disagree and condemn myself? We seek progress not perfection, that took years to sink into my thick scull.
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
I guess that most of us have made mistakes during our active addiction that we clung to for a long time. Letting go of those of mistakes is a sure sign of spiritual fitness and growth in recovery. But how does one do that? What step addresses that? What activity can one engage in to finally be able to accept yourself, your failures and your achievements?
I think your looking at 4,5,6,7,8,9 cleaning house, addmiting to another and god your defects of charecter that includes the past and present, asking god to remove then so we dont repeat offend LOL, making amends to that past and those people.
After that your on a clean slate brother , then its about continuing that on a daily basis, making amends when mistakes are made and becoming more spiritual now that you've had a spiritual experience and a pyshic change
, then its about continuing that on a daily basis, making amends when mistakes are made and becoming more spiritual now that you've had a spiritual experience and a pyshic change 
