“Step Nine allows us to practice all of the spiritual principles encompassed in the first eight steps, with the addition of the principle of justice.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 43

The Ninth Step is a series of actions I took in order to complete the work or process I began in Step Four, to clean up the wreckage of my past. Empowered with an inventory of my resentments and fears, I could now go further to make amends to those whom I had caused suffering. Sometimes a simple apology was not possible, but it was always possible to make a living amends through right action. Donating time at institutions, sending out literature to the addict who still suffers, taking a service position in MA are some examples of living amends. Turning it over and talking to my sponsor beforehand gave me the courage to face people I needed to speak with.

Final thought: Today, I will remember that I can make amends in many different ways.