September 2021

“A tranquil mind is the first requisite for good judgement.” (12&12 p.8).

Having expressed willingness in Step Eight to make amends to everyone we had harmed, including ourselves, with Step Nine we now have to make a start on actual amends.  For me, I was constantly questioning myself – am I procrastinating? through fear? lack of acceptance? will I do harm to others? to myself? Thankfully, having found a Higher Power and a sponsor, I had somewhere to go with all this uncertainty. The Serenity Prayer helped enormously and also having a Home Group, where I had started to relearn trust in others.  It helped too when I realised that a vital part of taking this Step for me was praying daily for the strength and courage to face amends when the opportunity arose.  Some amends have taken years before the appropriate time arrived and when it did the strength of Spirit has been there for me, in ways I would never have believed possible.  The power of this Programme never ceases to support me.

Our theme this month is ‘Service in my Home Group’.  A very relevant topic at this time when, perhaps due to Covid-19 and the many meeting opportunities arising out of increased video-conferencing, the idea of having a Home Group has become a bit lost.   I’ve just recently re-read ‘THE HOME GROUP: Heartbeat of AA’ and can thoroughly recommend it.  While the articles are drawn from Grapevine, the American counterpart of SHARE, ranging from 1947 through to 2004, they do present an interesting reflection for the AA Home Group today.  Great emphasis is placed on the Twelve Traditions.  It would be wonderful to have more articles about your experience, strength and hope around our amazing Traditions.
 Step Nine helped me towards a more tranquil mind – I hope it does the same for you.