Step Eight:

“Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and
became willing to make amends to them all.”

… Having carefully surveyed this whole area of human relations,
and having decided exactly what personality traits in us injured
and disturbed others, we can now commence to ransack
memory for the people to whom we have given offense. To put a
finger on the nearby and most deeply damaged ones shouldn’t
be hard to do. Then, as year by year we walk back through our
lives as far as memory will reach, we shall be bound to construct
a long list of people who have, to some extent or other, been
affected. We should, of course, ponder and weigh each instance
carefully. We shall want to hold ourselves to the course of admitting
the things we have done, meanwhile forgiving the wrongs done us,
real or fancied. We should avoid extreme judgments, both of
ourselves and of others involved. We must not exaggerate our
defects or theirs. A quiet, objective view will be our steadfast aim.

Whenever our pencil falters, we can fortify and cheer ourselves
by remembering what A.A. experience in this Step has meant to
others. It is the beginning of the end of isolation from our fellows
and from God.

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 81. Copyright © 1981
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Eighth Step Prayer
Higher Power, I ask Your help in making my list of all those I
have harmed. I will take responsibility for my mistakes and
Be forgiving to others as You are forgiving to me.
Grant me the willingness to begin my restitution.
This I pray.

---