Step Eight – All-Encompassing Self-Review
Step Eight serves as an all-encompassing formal self-reflective review. By now, you have done all of the following:
-Gathered all of the information regarding your past, present and and future.
-Rediscovered the person you used to be, discovered who you are now and thought about what’s to come.
-Set stretch goals for yourself.
-Mastered or are in the midst of mastering rest, relaxation and meditation.
Take a moment to review all of the pieces. This is your masterpiece. Every detail created by you. It’s your courageous story of conquering the impossible. So, massage it, perfect it. Make it yours.
Tweak the details in such a way that the story is inspiring to you and to others. Embrace the things you cannot change as nothing more than a learning experience which enabled you to become stronger, happier, unstoppable. Note the things you could have changed, and accept these circumstances for exactly what they are. There is no going back. We can only move forward.
Practice the Serenity Prayer in this step, reciting the following – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Use these words and the law of attraction to practice positivity and find peace of mind.
By now, you should feel more centered. More free. At this moment, you may be at the
acceptance stage. Or, there still may be more work to be done, and that’s just fine.
In any case, once we’ve adequately documented our journey, we need to find the courage to share it. For those of you recovering from addiction, this is Steps 4-6. So, work through the first eight steps over and over, if necessary, until you feel comfortable jumping into number nine!
In the Ninth Step, you will begin to involve others by joining support groups, online or in person, and sharing your experience. You’ll find that in doing so and receiving feedback, you’ll reach your fullest potential. Hearing the stories of others can be exceptionally healing. Take a needed pause here to reflect on your own journey before taking the the next leap!