The Thursday Principle: Justice

The Spiritual Principle Justice

The Spiritual Principle Justice is behind A.A.’s Step Nine: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

Such people, of course, refers to Step Eight’s list of those we’d harmed. Step Nine requires us to step out and take action, wherever possible. But we must be sure not to compound the damage done by injuring anyone else.

This isn’t Old West style justice, or even justice under the law. This is the justice of what is right, what is fair and what is proper. Achieving said justice requires accountability, and humility. And a heaping healthy helping of both too.

In Step Eight we made a list of everybody we had harmed. Ever. It was a long, tall order, but we did it. We had to. Otherwise we’d never stay sober.

Now we actually seek out each person, admit out wrongs and agree to make the necessary restitution. We do what is right, what is fair, and what is proper. No matter what it takes. And we do it every Step of the way.

Most addicts and alcoholics are good people with a strong built in sense of justice. The problem has been our willingness to ignore that sense. Treatment helps us identify within ourselves how important it is for us to go back to our roots and connect with that sense of justice. This process not only allows us to treat others well, but is critical in helping us love ourselves once again.

We at Healing Properties believe the age old adage “justice will prevail” truly comes alive in sobriety. We’ve seen it happen. Over and over. Again and again. And it is for that reason that we believe the Spiritual Principle Justice is integral to recovery.