slack on.

Step nine serves as great practice for step ten.

Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

I saw the daily nature of step ten, and realized that with step nine, I was practicing on saying I’m sorry to the most important things in my life. Once I got those out of the way, I could get on with the practice of apologizing for any outsized behavior that may occur through everyday interactions. Clear away the downed tree before you start raking the leaves.

Step nine teaches me to embrace the apology. There is strength in admission, along with the unseen bonus of camaraderie and empathy and fellowship, not just with the people in the program, but with the human race.

Admitting I’m fallible on a daily basis brings me down to size, and preps people for the inevitable miscues I’ll be making in ordinary life. Adopting a “we’re all in this together” attitude, while often faked until made, allows for a day to go so much easier.

By cutting others slack, my slack too shall be cut.

Today: Keep down the defenses. It’s peacetime.