Why Some Amends Are Too Dangerous to Attempt – Don H.

About This Speaker Tape

A reckless detour on the way to a sponsor's house turns into a slapstick nightmare. Brian M. decides to skip the consultation with his sponsor Rob R. and attempts a premature Ninth Step amends to a former friend Tony T. a man described as a 'silverback gorilla' who lives in seclusion

. The encounter devolves into a physical brawl a demolished fence and a desperate flight through the brush. In a chaotic sequence of events Brian M. narrowly escapes Tony T.'s grasp—only to be intercepted by a belligerent one-eyed raccoon named Popeye

. The wreckage of the evening serves as a visceral lesson in the danger of self-will and the importance of following the program's guidelines on when an amends is too dangerous to be attempted.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Discussion on the importance of reviewing the Step 8 list with a sponsor to avoid overzealousness.
• 2:15 Brian M. spots Tony T. and decides to ignore his sponsor's guidance in favor of a 'mission from Higher Power'.
• 5:30 The first attempt at a Step 9 amends leads to a confrontation and Tony T.'s 'seething hatred'.
• 8:45 Laughter: Brian M.'s 'extinction-level faceplant' into the rosebush.
• 12:10 The collapse of the fence and Brian M.'s desperate attempt to escape.
• 15:20 The realization that Tony T. is blind or has severely impaired vision.
• 18:00 The encounter with Popeye the one-eyed raccoon.
• 21:30 Chaos ensues as the raccoon attacks Tony T.'s posterior.
• 24:00 Brian M. reflects on the lesson of self-will versus the will of a Higher Power.