Sarcasm - Hate With a Smile

September is the ninth month so a lot of the A.A. literature is focusing on the Ninth Step, the one Step that you absolutely, positively need counsel from your A.A. sponsor and friends and groups before you take that first plunge.  We want the promised relief but sometimes we approach people who should best be left alone or we forget that the amends can't cause harm to anyone else.  No charging ahead like a bull in a china shop, this one.  If you break it - you bought it.

How free do you want to be?  That's the essence of this one.  No more skulking and furtive behavior after Step Nine.  I share often that the benefit for me of this Step is that there is absolutely no one in the world that I'm afraid of running into.  My conscience is clear.  Most of the amends I made were well-received but some were not.  I am comforted that the goal of this Step is to sweep my side of the street.  I am not to try to sweep off your side.  Your reaction is none of my business.  Your side can be filthy, strewn with garbage, in bad need of repair.  None of my business.

Sarcasm:  The use of irony to mock or show contempt; a sneering or cutting remark (comes from the Greek word 'sarkazian' which means 'to tear flesh.'

Sarcasm:  Hate with a smile.

Irony:  The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

That's better - let's be ironic today and not sarcastic.

Amend:  To change for the better; to improve.

Amends: Reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, injury of any kind.

And - if we've made the direct amends from our Eighth Step list - let's remember that every day is a day where living amends are in order.  It's no good telling someone you're sorry and then continuing to engage in the offensive behavior.  We have to change ourselves - amend ourselves - into better people.  If you're not going to come into contact with the people you damaged by your drinking then just be a nice person today.  To everybody.