Member: Zip G.
Location: Texas
Date: 6/11/00
Time: 12:00:20 PM

Comments

I am curious by nature so when someone goes out and makes it back I like to find out what went wrong. More often than not the answer has been failure to do a thorough 4th and 5th step. I have concentrate on taking my inventory and not on taking an inventory of people I have a resentment against. My sponsor does not care to hear an inventory of my exwife and her boyfriend, the renter that didn't pay me or anything else. He wants to here about my defects. Until I know the problem (within myself) there can be no solution. Honesty, open mindedness, willingness. These thing can get me healthy and keep me healthy. I have to pick up my spiritual toolkit now and go to work. If no one has told you today they love you, I love you. Zip G.


Member: Corinne M.
Location: Beautiiful B.C.
Date: 6/11/00
Time: 7:37:59 PM

Comments

Corinne M. alky/addict here. Hope everyone is doing good. Through my 2nd set of steps I realized that this inventory is more about WHY I did the things I did rather than WHAT I did. It helped me to see the real reasons for my actions. I wasn't just mad or trying to hurt people (including myself). I was actually full of fear. Fear of being alone, fear of failure, etc. I think the two most important things about this step are A)to write a positive for every negative. and B)to not give up atleast untill after step 5. I've heard of so many people going back out in the middle of a step 4. Learning things about ourselves can be difficult which is why it is important to remember the good things too. There is a little bad in the best of us and good in the worst of us. What a feeling to release all that garbage we've been dragging around. Step 4 for me is detrimental to my growth.

I wish you all another 24. Thank-you for my life today. Serene Corinne


Member: Steve L
Location: N Indiana
Date: 6/11/00
Time: 9:13:22 PM

Comments

Step 4 helped me to take a good look at my behaviors and motives. Before getting sober I thought I was a nice guy. After found out that wasn't always true. So was carrying around alot of guilt and remorse as AA started to work. Wrote down worst stuff and sponsor interacted with his E, S & H when doing 5th step. At the end he said don't forget your good qualities as well! Thanks for being here! Moved few months ago and miss old meetings. Still learning. Steve


Member: ChuckM
Location: Alberta
Date: 6/12/00
Time: 3:29:22 AM

Comments

I'm Chuck, an alcoholic

The 1st 3 columns of step 4 show me exactly how I was hurt by other people's actions. Before, I just knew I was hurt.

The next thing I have to do is cease to resent these people. Page 67 says that if I see these people as spiritualy sick I will be able to cease to resent more easily. PAGE 552 sets this out in a way that works.

In my dictionary cease to resent is the second meaning of the word FORGIVE. All my life I was told to forgive but did not know how. Here it is in the BB in black and white.

After forgiving and reducing the high emotion of anger I can better see how my behavior caused the problem in most of the cases. I call this the 5th column.

Finally, in column 6 I find out the negative thinking and feelings that caused my behavior. These are; selfishness--dishonesty--self-seeking--fear. These are the symptons of my insanity that caused my life to be unmanageable.

In discussing fear our book tells us that the answer is to turn to and trust God. It is the same answer for all the character defects.

The section on sex is an example of how I hurt others because of my character defects. It becomes clearer that these defects caused all my misery.

I have found that to help others, if they will just do this one column at a time it is less threatening. Just like to quit drinking forever was too overwhelming but I could handle one day-at-a-time.

Peace and Serenity


Member: Sheri F
Location: Portland, Oregon
Date: 6/12/00
Time: 6:49:46 AM

Comments

Hi, My sponsor had me make a list of the 10 worst things I had done, the 10 worst thoughts I EVER had, plus the BEST 10 things I had done, and the BEST 10 thoughts i had ever had. Then, she said I was ready to do a 4th step according to the BBook. It sure helped clear the garbage that I would "never" let anyone know about. After that, the rest was minor details. The guilt and shame was gone. All i know it worked for me. I am thankful I did it that way as I probably wouldn't have gotten around to be honest enough to do a 4th. Thanks for letting me share what worked for me. Love and prayers, Sheri F.


Member: Karen U.
Location: Michigan
Date: 6/12/00
Time: 12:26:21 PM

Comments

Hi, I am an alcoholic, my name is Karen. This is the first online meeting I've attended.

I am getting ready to begin a 4th step. Not my first ever, since I did two of them when I was first in the program. My sobriety lasted 6 years from the day I first came in the door, but I stayed out for a number of years since then. I came back in January 2000 and by the grace of God and this program have lived each 24 hours since then sober. I have some questions about doing 4th steps.

My first fourth step was 2 columns and covered 2 pages. My sponser then said to write one good characteristic for each bad one. That fourth step and fifth step got out the worst and also made me realize I had some good characteristics, even if I had to stretch to include "kind to animals."

The next fourth step I wrote took 6 months to write and came out to be 103 pages on both sides of the paper. And I didn't include anything about my perfectionism in it. It was everything about my life that I regretted and contained little positive. This summer I want to do a fourth step, the first one since I came back in January. I want it to be a "balanced" fourth step. I have a date with my sponsor to do a fifth step in August, so I want to start soon.

I know how the Big Book says to write it and I know that I did not do it that way on my other two tries.

One of my questions is: How far back do I go? If I have a resentment from 18 years ago, and still feel residue of it today, do I write about it? Do I include positive things or just resentments?

Perhaps someone at this meeting can help me. I have read and taken note of some of the things you've said and will keep looking back here.

I feel so "lucky" that you were on the 4th step when I dropped on-line for the first time.

May we all stay sober today!

karen U.


Member: Karen U.
Location: Michigan
Date: 6/12/00
Time: 12:26:34 PM

Comments

Hi, I am an alcoholic, my name is Karen. This is the first online meeting I've attended.

I am getting ready to begin a 4th step. Not my first ever, since I did two of them when I was first in the program. My sobriety lasted 6 years from the day I first came in the door, but I stayed out for a number of years since then. I came back in January 2000 and by the grace of God and this program have lived each 24 hours since then sober. I have some questions about doing 4th steps.

My first fourth step was 2 columns and covered 2 pages. My sponser then said to write one good characteristic for each bad one. That fourth step and fifth step got out the worst and also made me realize I had some good characteristics, even if I had to stretch to include "kind to animals."

The next fourth step I wrote took 6 months to write and came out to be 103 pages on both sides of the paper. And I didn't include anything about my perfectionism in it. It was everything about my life that I regretted and contained little positive. This summer I want to do a fourth step, the first one since I came back in January. I want it to be a "balanced" fourth step. I have a date with my sponsor to do a fifth step in August, so I want to start soon.

I know how the Big Book says to write it and I know that I did not do it that way on my other two tries.

One of my questions is: How far back do I go? If I have a resentment from 18 years ago, and still feel residue of it today, do I write about it? Do I include positive things or just resentments?

Perhaps someone at this meeting can help me. I have read and taken note of some of the things you've said and will keep looking back here.

I feel so "lucky" that you were on the 4th step when I dropped on-line for the first time.

May we all stay sober today!

karen U.


Member: MEL K.
Location: SALEM, OREGON
Date: 6/12/00
Time: 8:26:47 PM

Comments

WHERE CAN I GET A BIG BOOK??? I DONT HAVE ANY MONEY?? CAN YOU GET THEM SOMEWHERE??

MEL K.


Member: Jack B
Location: Cumbola, Pa.
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 5:33:08 AM

Comments

Hi, I am Jack a real alcoholic.Step four for me was a step I was never afraid to do, I didn't think it was necessary.I was almost seven years sober and still doing the same things I did while I was drinking. I did not approve of the way I was living and realized that there was more to this program than just not drinking. When I did my first fearless and moral inventory of myself, I didn't concern my self so much with what happened, but I looked at the feelings.I looked at how I felt before I did something, how I felt while I was doing it, and how I felt afterwards.I recognixed that the common denominator in everything I did traced back to fear, fear of success,fear of failure,fear of not fitting in.I had become the master of the mask.I became whatever you wanted me to be or expected me to be.I was a coward who could not face life as reality. When I looked at the positive and negative areas of my life I found that I was not a bad person, I was a person who made an awful lot of bad choices. For me to take a thorough look at myself required my living my life just not drinking.I don't encourage anyone to try it that way. Old AA saying four and five to stay alive. Thanks for allowing me to share.God Bless all.


Member: Lynn S
Location: OR
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 10:27:42 AM

Comments

I'm Lynn and I'm an alcoholic. I think it's very painful to do this step, but once you do it you will never be the same. Once this step is completed you have accomplished the most difficult spiritual test there is. You have faced yourself. Being objective about the good and the bad is not easy. The hard part, I think is swallowing ego-but appreciating and valuing those true shining points in our personality that belong uniquely to each person. The steps are the best guideline I know to mature adulthood. He who conquers himself is greater than he who has conquered a great city.


Member: catherine b
Location: Boston MA
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 12:00:05 PM

Comments

Hi Catherine here, alcoholic i dot know where to start with this step , but i know it is very vital.All my life i have knocked myself down . Ifind it very difficult to write anything good about any defect . help


Member: suzanne g
Location: california
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 1:27:39 PM

Comments

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO!! I've started and stopped my 4th step twice. I think i understand "what" i am supposed to do. I just can't seem to find the right "how". Any advice on the mechanics of the 4th step would be appreciated.


Member: Susan D.
Location: New York
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 5:59:54 PM

Comments

Hi, I found my way to this site today after someone I respect--a business associate--mentioned my extreme "willfulness." I was taken aback and humbled to think I've been in AA so many years, where will and its proper use, will power, God's will, and such issues are central to addiction and recovery. I'm long sober but still apparently percieved as Ms. Willful. I'm in a creative field where my vision of a project and my will in carrying it out are important. I'm good at what I do and think I know best. I don't want to give up my standards but realize the inventory work I've been doing this year in being less judgmental of others, more open to their humanity, more able to show my vulnerability instead of arrogance is far from over.


Member: Breanne M.
Location: Salt Lake City, UTAH
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 6:54:28 PM

Comments

I have come in 4 years of sobriety to love the 4th Step. I remember the first time I did one, I held stuff back because I did not trust my sponsor. I have a different sponsor now, and the cleansing feeling I get after working any of the steps with her is better than any high I ever got drinking or using.

An honest 4th step taught me about the things that I am not always willing to admit to myself. For instance, I've always been a caretaker, but I never connected this with selfishness. I have learned that I do selfish things with good motives and intentions. It doesn't change the fact that I can be a very selfish person.

Although I'm not proud to really have some of the character defects I have, and I want to groan everytime a new one pops up, I am grateful for the soul searching. I like to be able to say that I know who I am. I never knew that before, I knew who I shouldn't be, or who you wanted me to be, but that was about it. Now I can honestly say that I know who I am, and I'm proud of who I am today.

Practicing rigorous honesty through a 4th is a period of awakening for me everytime. I get to let go of the past, and become closer with God, with myself, and with another person. I love the fact that i'm not ashamed anymore, and I don't have to hide.

I'm glad I've had the oppurtunity to do a thorough 4th Step quite a few times. It has actually become my favorite part of the doing stepwork to do steps 4 and 5.

Happy Forever in Love and Service, 3-13-96 Breanne M.


Member: John C.
Location: Ripley, WV
Date: 6/13/00
Time: 10:51:54 PM

Comments

Hi all I'm John and I'm an alcoholic. The 4th step is to be made fearlessly not fearfully. I got hung up on that for a long time . All I had to do was write this stuff down not realive it. For a long time I looked for the right way to do a 4th step until finally someone told me to just start it that even if I was thorough and honest things would still come up later that either I had forgotten or had no clue that I had did. I guess just getting started was the hardest part. I just startedx with the things that were keeping me up at night and everything just fell in place from there. Remember be thorough and honest but also remember progress not perfection. Have enough faith to take this step and know that God will either put solid ground under your feet or teach you to fly. There is no abiss that you will fall into if you trust God and clean house.


Member: Jan S.
Location:
Date: 6/14/00
Time: 12:49:55 AM

Comments

Mel K--there is a Big Book printed on the internet. Look under Keyword: Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W's Big Book. I know because I need to do a 4th step and have to keep referring to the Big Book. I can't seem to get started or maybe haven't wanted to. But, I'm going to follow this program to a T and if ya gotta do this, I'm going to. Like with everything else in this program, all the advice always benefits me and makes me stronger. Sounds like it will be a refreshing excercise. Thanks for all your comments on getting the most out of this step. Love you all, Jan, alcoholic


Member: sunny s
Location: New Bedford, Mass
Date: 6/14/00
Time: 12:27:34 PM

Comments

I went back to the sand box in my 3rd 4th step. I had pulled a little girls hair. Her Mom picked her up and hugged and comforted her. I was jealous because my mom would never do that. Guess how often I saw jealousy in my resentments?

If it come up and chews on me at all, I put it on a 4th step. It usually is connected to a pattern of resentments and relationships with people. After writing out thousands of resentments, I know pretty well what my patterns are.

In the last few years, I've come to appreciate Charlie and Joe McQ's big book study tapes. I also use Joe Mc Q's book "The Steps We Took" when working with newcomers. He gives charts for the 4th and permission to copy them. They are so respectful of the Big Book process. They don't want to correct anything. I know that Joe Mc Q retired from the workshops, but i haven't had a chance to hear the new Joe on the team.

Fist, comes the list of all the people , institutions (school, police, jails, courts, IRS,businesses, banks,etc.) and principles( What isn't fair, why some jerks get rich, Why me, Not enough prizes for everybody, Why do some have to starve, etc.). If I think of it, it goes on the lists. No saying, "No, I really don't think that." If I think of it, it goes on the lists.

I write my causes and effects on one side of the page. I write out the resentments.. without punctuation etc...one per line. I say the prayer for each person as I go along. I rewote it a little. "God save me from anger. Please help me to show him/her the same tolerance, pity, and patience that I would cheerfully grant a sick friend. This is a sick person. How can I be helpful to him? Your will be done." In the margin I put abbreviations for the effects. When looking at security, I look at physical, emotional, financial, and relationship security. I do all the causes. Then I do all the effects. Then I do the "turnarounds" on the back of the page. That is from paragraph 3 on page 67 beginning "Referring to our list..." I think it is important for me to put what I did to retaliate, get even, or punish the other person. That makes me more honest.

For the fear inventory, starting with the last paragraph on page 67, I write it like a grocery list. I include fears from the resentment section, as well as the many stray everyday fears. Then I start saying the Fear prayer in the 3rd paragraph on page 68. "Take away my fear and direct my attention to what you would have me be." I read the fear list to my sponsor. i have found that after several years of doing this , i can just identify the fear, say the prayer and it's gone. But I do talk about fears when the subject comes up, and tomy sponsor when I act on the fear.

For the sex inventory, I made a list of all the crushes, dates, boyfriends, lovers, husbands, and girlfriends, mothers, wives, etc of them. I wrote out the resentments (causes and effects) if I hadn't done them before. I did the turnarounds, and then I asked the questions on page 69 about my conduct on the back of each page page. There are 3 prayers in the sex inventory. The first is "Please mold my ideals and help me to live up to them." The second is "What should I do about this matter with this person?" The third is when making choices about sexual matters., "Please grant me the right ideal. Guide me in this situation. Please take way my insanity, and give me the strength to do the right thing."

People have gone out in the middle of the 4th because the feelings are overwhelming. For the people or situations on your list where you know the feelings will be very strongly unpleasant, I suggest that you decide with your sponsor how she/he or someone else will be available to you while writing. Sometimes I'm on call for folks, and sometimes I sit with them at the beach, the park, or at the table while they write out the really bad parts. I also suggest that people begin and every writing session with a prayer for the honesty, strength, courage, and protection to do this work. When you have had enough for today, say a prayer of gratitude for the help. Do a gratitude list. Then do a positive inventory. That will get you out of the feelings. I have seen it work with rape and physical abuse situations where people have always gotten lost in the feelings whenever they thought of it.

Last, just don't be afraid of it. If you are, it's never too soon to start doing a fear inventory. Sometimes, that is where I have people start their 4th step. That fear prayer is very powerful. That 5th step on the fera inventory can lead to a lot of laughter.

I do a summary 4th step once a year in the step study workshop that I lead. Yes, I do a daily 10th, but my perception of things often changes with a little bit of time. HP grows me up and I'm able to do a more honest turnaround or better see a paattern when I've had some time to think about it.

This and the 5th step were my road to freedom. They still are. The only time my mind races these days is when I have a resentment or fear. I don't have to let it go on and on. After all this writing, I know how to handle a resentment and fear with the steps.


Member: sunny s
Location: New Bedford, Mass
Date: 6/14/00
Time: 12:34:02 PM

Comments

OOOOH, I forgot. The higher power accepts each person's ability to do this. I'm finishing one with a woman who can't write. We did it on tape. I've done 4th step work with people who are retarded. So many of us have trouble reading or writing. I have also written it for people who are dictating either because they can't write or because the feelings are too strong. With the old 6 steps that got the first ones sober, it doesn't sound like they did write it down. It only took a few hours and it was done in talk. That is why they accepted the idea that the 4th step would be done many times in a person's life.


Member: DOUG
Location: LOST IN OREGON
Date: 6/14/00
Time: 1:00:52 PM

Comments

TIRED OF BEING TIRED,IS IT THESE MEDS, OR IS IT ME???IM LOST STILL.

DOUG/STILL LOST/.....BUT AT LEAST IM GRAEFULL TO BE STILL SOBER.I JUST WISH MY MIND WOULD COME BACK OUT OF THE FOG,OR WHATEVER.


Member: Jenn P.
Location: Poconos. PA
Date: 6/15/00
Time: 10:52:42 AM

Comments

Hi everyone, Jenn here - an alcoholic who is happy joyous and free. A large part of that freedom and the jot I have in living today stem from the fourth step. I had so much fear, self-hate, hatred of others, in me that I was dying once I put the drink down. I needed to do a fourth step as soon as I could admit steps one and two. They asked me to make a decision to turn my will and life over to a Higher Power, and said that the decision meant nothing " if not followed AT ONCE by vigorous action." I decided I wanted a new life, and could see what a bang-up job I had done runnung the deal, so on with the fourth step it was!!

I was not afraid of step four, I was desperate for relief. It was step five I ws afraid of so I told myself I would not have to share it if I didn't want to, then went ahead and " loaded the garbage on the truck". I folloewed the format laid out in the Big Book, and described so well by Joe and Charlie in their tapes, and worked steadily and earnestly through one lo-o-ong weekend to take my inventory. I was as thorough, honest and fearless as I could be at that time. I learned alot. I had no idea how much I resented, feared, and harmed anyone or anything. It went on and on.

Today I use the fourth as part of the 10th. I stop wehen I am angry, and use the columns to help me find out what's really going on, hopefully to express myself without hurting anyone unjustly. I needed to practice practice practice, but today it has become pretty much a regular part of my life. Makes for a lot less damage control! LOL . I am so grateful for the hew life I have been given by this twelve step program, ans all the wonderful people in this fellowship who help me walk the walk. Love to you all, and another sober 24.


Member: theresa . b
Location: canada
Date: 6/15/00
Time: 1:21:23 PM

Comments


Member: theresa . b
Location: canada
Date: 6/15/00
Time: 1:30:56 PM

Comments

hi everyone when I did my moral inventory with my sponser it was the best thing I every did all the gulit and remorse was lefted for my shoulders I have become a better person and have a better understanding of people I thank god for the life I have to day and the fellowship for my sorberity thanks and to everyone have a great 24 hours


Member: Anonymous
Location:
Date: 6/16/00
Time: 5:41:48 PM

Comments

Well well well guess who, there may be hope for you yet. How ever did you come to that low place? Could it be that you've tried and tried only to find you must be baptized? well well well guess who, there may be hope for you yet.


Member: Mike R
Location: St. Paul MN
Date: 6/16/00
Time: 8:56:42 PM

Comments

Step four is such a vital step. When I first sobered up, my sponsor had me do a fourth and fifth step with him. I was very ashamed due my past actions. I left a couple of key actions off of the list. Two months later I was drunk. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly! I did another fourth and fifth and realised I was no different than any other drunk. I was no better or worse. My pride had led me to the bottle in the past. The point of the fourth step is to get rid of all the defects in my person that block me from getting close to the God of my understanding and to you wonderful people. Thank you for letting me share. Thanks you so much for AA!!!!


Member: Bonnie C  -  5/30/80
Location:
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 6:56:10 AM

Comments

Hi extended family, bonnie/alcoholic here (((ROOM-HUG))) to those that are new to this site or AA *welcome home* to those that share here regularly, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Have taken many 4th steps because more has been revealed over the yrs. It's funny, these days when something makes me uncomfortable, like someone being rude or hateful or I feel fearful, I try to think of a time when I may have done something that may have caused someone to feel the same way. WOW, not done yet after 20 yrs. Made amends once again to my kids after something I'd remembered not long ago.

GOD CAN'T HEAL WHAT YOU WON'T REVEAL.

each new 4th and 5th bring new freedoms. Thank God you people stressed the importance of these steps. on the top of page 64 it says that even finding a higher power will have little lasting effect if not immediately followed by the 4th.

Thank God and AA for my beautiful life today. Dear God please bless all who venture here. love and hugs, bon -- bonzoc@webtv.net


Member: bonnie c - doubledip
Location:
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 7:19:53 AM

Comments

to ((doug)) in oregon, I walked around asking people when the fog would go away for months until one day I woke up and it was gone, Hang in there my new friend, this too shall pass. sometimes our fog is the only thing that slows us down at first. I believe that everything that happens after we get here is for a reason, even our fogs. LOL

((mel)) go to a meeting and tell them that you would like to purchase a Big Book but just don't have the money and see what happens. If meetings in your area are like meetings everywhere I've been, you will probably walk away with a Big Book and 5 other offers to get you one with only one request, that you pass it on once you have the money for your own. Alot of us get here and can't afford our book. My best friend stole his first book and 19yrs later he will break his neck trying to be the first in line to purchase one for a new comer. He buys 2 or 3 at a time and hands them out. so come in the doors and let us love you till you can love yourself. Then you can spend the next 50yrs giving back. *s*

Look for your miracles. hugs, bon


Member: Lori
Location: Virginia
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 9:32:22 AM

Comments

Hi. My name is Lori and I'm an alcoholic. This is my first time posting, though I've been visiting this site for awhile. Thank you to everyone for your comments about the 4th step--especially Sunny S. from Mass. I'm working on my 4th step now, but I was having difficulty getting started/organized in a manner that will allow me to be thorough, and your comments helped me a great deal. Yesterday I spent most of the day writing, so I'm off to a great start. Thanks for your help!


Member: Michelle C.
Location: Boston, MA
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 9:51:11 AM

Comments

Hello All, My name is Michelle, and I am an alcoholic. I have experience writing a 4th step under the guidance of a sponsor who did the same with her sponsor, etc. The first thing I want to say is, I tried several times to write 4th steps NOT out of the Big Book and I was unsuccessful. When I followed the simple directions on pages 63-71, WITH help from a sponsor and men and women who had done the same, I was able to get honest and be thorough. I am not here to judge anyone--only here to share what worked for me in the hopes that it may help someone else. Each time I sat down to write the 4th, I said the 3rd step prayer first. My sponsor advised me to do this because I needed to invite God into the writing. I needed to get into the habit of asking God for help on a regular basis. The point of the 4th is not to beat ourselves up. It is to clear away the wreckage of my life and see the truth about the CAUSES and CONDITIONS which led me to drink alcohol. For me to be fearless and thorough, I needed God's help. And I needed a sponsor's guidance. It was never intended for us to do these steps alone. When I stopped trying to, I had success. It's not easy, but it's the best thing I've ever done. Now I know the truth about myself and my actions. I have God in my life. I can help others and I can make specific amends. Fear is what stopped me before from doing a thorough 4th step.When I learned to walk through the fear, I was okay. As far as how long it should take to write, I think that is up to God. It's not a numbers game. And as to the question about how far back into time do we go to look at our resentments, I was guided to write every single resentment I could remember from my life. As it says in the Big Book, when we are done, we have written down a lot and should be prepared for a long talk. As a result of doing this, my life has changed so much and I highly encourage anyone out there who is considering writing to get a loving sponsor and put the pen to paper. It works. Thank you for my sobriety. Hope this helped. Michelle C.


Member: Anonymous
Location:
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 5:16:46 PM

Comments

I dare say, that if against most of us a searching and fearless moral inventory were done as is pertaining to God, none of us would have anything to count. Ah, but too often times the moral inventory that we set out to do becomes instead a list of who done what to who. As I see it we are moving from [A] a state of self will to [B] a state of God's will. Thense comes the inventory! That is to say, how are we progressing in this transition, how are we coming along in this new way to think and do? After all one canst not expect to move from one state to the other without some consideration. We have to put off the old and put on the new. How much per say, is of the old still and of the new? What part of our lives are we holding back from God. Is he in charge in all areas? Is there some part we have forgotten or hadn't considered to be his? Are we still holding on to this or that? What about our family pet, has he found a new owner and provider now that you are into and beyond step three? Yea, a moral inventory is such, and how far removed we are from the old and how close we are to the new is the sum total of step four. But where do we error in this step but that we are not looking to things above? That's what my sponser told me.


Member: Susan
Location: TX
Date: 6/17/00
Time: 10:57:17 PM

Comments

Hi, my name is Susan, after two years of sobriety, I have been back out for two years, and if I make it through the night, then this will be my 4th day with out a drink.( and having a pretty rough time- so much harder than before) I havn't even scraped the surface of the 1st step; yet reading your comments on the 4th have decreased some of my fears of going back to meetings. Thanks and God bless.