Do Not Make The Crosses Of Others Heavier

From AA’s Twelve & Twelve, page 86;

“There can be only one consideration which should qualify our desire for a complete disclosure of the damage we have done. That will arise in the occasional situation where to make a full revelation would seriously harm the one to whom we are making amends. Or - quite as important - other people. We cannot, for example, unload a detailed account of extramarital adventuring upon the shoulders of our unsuspecting wife or husband. And even in those cases where such a matter must be discussed, let’s try to avoid harming third parties, whoever they may be. It does not lighten our burden when we recklessly make the crosses of others heavier.”

I have known those who were heartless, cruel and self-centered in the extreme to the extent that “making amends” in a program of recovery did not take into consideration the lives and feelings of others. Usually these folks are the types who continue to admit they have left things out, important things. They sometimes take the form of those who openly contradict what many would call the majority experience. And… they sound good.

Of course, they eventually do what few of this type escape - they drink again.