MY ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON STEP FOUR
"Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."
1. How can our instincts exceed their proper function
in recovery?
My
instincts often far exceed their proper functions they were powerful and
blinded me many times my instincts drove me they were the most glaring defects
I had my desire’s for finance romance and self-importance were the only God I
believed in at that time yes my natural desires were out of control and caused
me tons of trouble
2. Why is Step Four an effort to discover all our
assets and liabilities?
Step Four for me was not as fearless as
I believed it would be when I read and fearless moral inventory I had to
discover what liabilities I had and I sure did not think I had any assets at
first look but when I started making my lists I found I did have many assets
and they kept me balanced in my writing the inventory
3 .What are the basic problems of extremes in
instinctive drives?
Every time I imposed my free will
on others it always came back to bite me my anger jealousy and revenge were
right there telling me its all other people places and things that were wrong
the more demands I made the angrier they got prestige was a big problem for me
I was president of a men’s club and ran it like a dictator and wondered why
they did not agree with me all the time
4. How can a misguided moral inventory result in guilt, grandiosity, or blaming others?
Well I have to tell you my first inventory was very misguided I blamed all my problems on everything and everyone who I could blame it was not an inventory of my faults and I sure did wallow in self-pity
I sank to a point of
despair that nothing but death looks possible as a solution this was not how
the fourth step is intended to be used but that’s why guilt remorse and despair
came with this type of inventory and being in charge of the club certainly was
grandiose
5. How is our self-justification of things dangerous
in recovery?
Well like most members of AA I to
suffered severely from self-justification I made of excuses of for my drinking
and many other damaging behaviors I made alibis and excuses a fine art I did
point with pride to the good life I thought I led before the bottle became my
God I justified my character defects ha been caused by my excessive drinking
and I to thought just staying sober was enough why did I need to take a moral
inventory now after all I was sober
6. How does willingness to take inventory brings light and new confidence in us?
The
need for a list of personal defects was the only way I was going to find out who
I really was and just what the more serious defects and shortcomings were I
needed to take a serious look into my motives of the past to right the wrongs I
did drinking for me it was by writing out the letters I had to look at what
part I had in causing the acts done to me and just what my motives were at the
time I found out that we are all human beings doing human things with out
regards to what Gods will for us is at the time
7. In what way is Step Four a beginning of lifetime
practices in recovery?
Since Step Four is but the beginning of a lifetime practice, it can be
suggested that he first have a look at those personal flaws which are acutely
troublesome and fairly obvious. Using his best judgment of what has been right
and what has been wrong, he might make a rough survey of his conduct with
respect to his primary instincts for sex, security, and society. Looking back
over his life, he can readily get under way by consideration of questions such
as these:
8. Why do we need an inventory review of all our
relationships?
Because of my twisted relations
with my family friends and society I have suffered the most
I was stupid and stubborn
about my relationships with them all I failed to recognize is my inability to
form a true relationship with another human being I insist upon dominating the
people I knew and my insecurity grew and festers fear anger and depression took
over my life I never gave it even a little thought to be one in my family to be
a friend among friends to be a useful member of society I always had to be on
top my self-centered behavior blocked my every endeavor until I reviewed all my
relationships with others
9. Why is thoroughness so important in doing this
fourth step?
Therefore, thoroughness ought to be the watchword when
taking inventory. In this connection, it is wise to write out our questions and
answers. It will be an aid to clear thinking and honest appraisal. It will be
the first tangible evidence of our complete willingness to move forward.
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