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May 16, 2012
Groups & Non-Profits Article 7013
Sponsored by Copoco Community Credit Union
Step 4 of the 12 Step AA Process
May 16, 2012
By: Randy Badgerow
Step 4 . . . of the 12 Steps of AA
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Note: I suggest that you take this step with a qualified sponsor. A qualified sponsor is someone
who has taken ALL 12 Steps precisely following the directions as they are defined and described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO DO THIS STEP ALONE. Be sure your Sponsor is present and leading you through this Step as you take it. (That is one of the reasons that we have sponsors! And, it is your sponsor's job to lead you through this Step)
This is our first action step, we start writing things from the past, our flaws and our assets. We do not beat ourselves up but we do not ignore things that have hurt others, hurt us, hurt our futures, hurt our relationships with others, and hurt our social standing. We start to see that it was not because of the drug or alcohol use that we fell short but our behavior even when not using. We also need to look at the good things from our past.We have all, every one of us, done some good things in our life at some point.
We need to look at these things to grow in a positive direction. We are only as sick as the secret we keep inside of us. Our morals and values are constantly changing while using so we need to see what we want to keep and see what we need to get rid of. It is not enough that we have stopped using, if we are at this point in our program we know that we have crossed some others', and our own, boundaries.
This step is also when the real healing begins for us and the exciting and beautiful part is that we can do it without fear.We will have some strong feelings and emotions or we may not and that is OK.
If we have completed the previous steps to the best of our ability, than it is time to take on this step. We should have a God that we understand at this point if you have completed step three Your sponsor needs to be along side of you while doing this for the first time as the note above suggest.
Be kind to yourself and be gentle but firm as well as consistent. Remember that fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real. This is the beginning of the house cleaning steps.
If you or a loved one is in need of counseling for addictive behavior or just want more information please feel free to contact us. We have been there for you since 1988, God bless you.
www.familyhopecenterbac.org, or call 989-893-1165 ask for Randy or Susan
0202 nd 04-22-2024
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