Endigar 538 ~ “Our Side of the Street”
From Today’s Daily Reflections;
We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that nothing worth while can be accomplished until we do so, never trying to tell him what he should do. His faults are not discussed. We stick to our own. (Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 77-78)
I made amends to my dad soon after I quit drinking. My words fell on deaf ears since I had blamed him for my troubles. Several months later I made amends to my dad again. This time I wrote a letter in which I did not blame him nor mention his faults. It worked, and at last I understood! My side of the street is all that I’m responsible for and — thanks to God and A.A. — it’s clean for today.
END OF QUOTE
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If I focus only on sweeping my side of the street, will the credibility of my cause be lost? If I don’t diminish the dirt in my life by pointing out the filth in theirs, will I become the world’s scapegoat? If people want to improve their lives and overcome their own transgressions, watching me take responsibility for mine gives them a nudge to do the same. If my fellow humans have felt guilty but afraid to deal with the source of that guilt, my act of courage will present the possibility of doing the same. If others are not moved by my amends, they most certainly will not be won by my vengeful proclamations. I think it is human nature to desire to give as good as we get. Thus what we have the habit of sowing into other lives will tend to be what we reap socially.
It is one of my first acts of trust in Gomu (God of my understanding). It is turning away from a world of relationship wars and woes and embracing potential serenity and happiness. It is my broom, my side of the street, and my public display of transforming humility.
Daily Reprieve 
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