Gonna finish Step Four

[madison1101]

Last year, with another sponsor, I began a Fourth Step, and put it aside. Most of what had been written was about relationships from my childhood, and my resentments, as described in the Big Book of AA. I found that while cleaning last week, and spoke with my current sponsor and I am going to finish that Fourth Step and do my Fifth with my current sponsor. She is okay with me working on it even though I had begun it a year ago. I am only adding to what I had done previously. I am thrilled that all that work is not lost. I had done some heavy hitting work in that Fourth and did not want to lose what I had done already.

In all my years and different sobrieties, I have done about 5-6 Fourth Steps as it is. This one is the only one I have done on resentments and anger, as described in the Big Book. I write narrative form, and can't make the chart because of my prose. My sponsor is not a stickler when it comes to that stuff, she is just happy that I am doing my step work as it is.

Where are all of you on your Steps?

Trish

 

[BlessEwe]

Last year, with another sponsor, I began a Fourth Step, and put it aside. Most of what had been written was about relationships from my childhood, and my resentments, as described in the Big Book of AA. I found that while cleaning last week, and spoke with my current sponsor and I am going to finish that Fourth Step and do my Fifth with my current sponsor. She is okay with me working on it even though I had begun it a year ago. I am only adding to what I had done previously. I am thrilled that all that work is not lost. I had done some heavy hitting work in that Fourth and did not want to lose what I had done already.

In all my years and different sobrieties, I have done about 5-6 Fourth Steps as it is. This one is the only one I have done on resentments and anger, as described in the Big Book. I write narrative form, and can't make the chart because of my prose. My sponsor is not a stickler when it comes to that stuff, she is just happy that I am doing my step work as it is.

Where are all of you on your Steps?

Trish

This is Awesome Trish! The resentments turns into internal anger and can bring us down fast. Been there done that, and is a daily work in progress.
When the heavy load finally drops I can't tell you what a relief it is. I carried things for my whole life ( after my dad was killed) I thought I got rid of it, but I didn't until recovery. I was at a meeting for women and on the way home it all was lifted I cried all the way home.

I think you hit the nail on the head sister, the harder you work on the resentments no matter how hard it may be short term, I feel the better you will feel long term!

Keep us posted how it is going!

 

[RuthD]

How are you doing on the 4th step now Madison?

 

[madison1101]

How are you doing on the 4th step now Madison?

I wish I could say I completed it, but I have not even picked it up. I had a grueling week at work, and spent almost every night grading papers. I am going away this weekend and hope to have some time Saturday evening to work on it.

Trish

 

[Autumnleaf]

Good for you. Just put some time aside and plow through it thoroughly. It is so worth it to get that over with.

 

[rgauth180]

I have done the steps and I included God in every step (if you will) of the journey. You will NOT regret the work you do. I learned forgivness which was huge in learning to love. You will be in my prayers Rick

 

[If Not For Grace]

Where are all of you on your Steps?

I'm hung up on 6 (which I think is really tied to three)

Entirely is the killer word..But I'm working on it-Progress not Perfection - Right?

 

[madison1101]

I'm hung up on 6 (which I think is really tied to three)

Entirely is the killer word..But I'm working on it-Progress not Perfection - Right?

Steps Six and Seven were where I got tangled up in past recoveries, and eventually, I drank over not completing the Steps.

You are right about Six being related to Three. My best suggestion would be to pray for the willingness to be "entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character." What has helped me in this sobriety is to be totally Honest, Openminded, and Willing to work this program. That is one of the things I learned about myself in rehab. Willingness helps me so much.

Hugs,
Trish

 

[Chaplain David]

Last year, with another sponsor, I began a Fourth Step, and put it aside. Most of what had been written was about relationships from my childhood, and my resentments, as described in the Big Book of AA. I found that while cleaning last week, and spoke with my current sponsor and I am going to finish that Fourth Step and do my Fifth with my current sponsor. She is okay with me working on it even though I had begun it a year ago. I am only adding to what I had done previously. I am thrilled that all that work is not lost. I had done some heavy hitting work in that Fourth and did not want to lose what I had done already.

In all my years and different sobrieties, I have done about 5-6 Fourth Steps as it is. This one is the only one I have done on resentments and anger, as described in the Big Book. I write narrative form, and can't make the chart because of my prose. My sponsor is not a stickler when it comes to that stuff, she is just happy that I am doing my step work as it is.

Where are all of you on your Steps?

Trish

This is great news. Congratulations and praise God. I've been sober a while but still work the steps. I no longer have a desire to drink but have to work most of the rest of them depending on my circumstances. 3, 10, 11 & 12 I probably work the most. God bless.

 

[HUBIE]

Doing six and seven with my sponsor right now. I finally did a "real" step four and five after 26 years of being in the program and slips. I managed to string 18 years together without drinking, but I can't call it sobriety. Four and Five were major hang ups for me but my sponsor helped me through it. I don't personally believe I could trust any human that much, but it worked. I'm determined to stay sober and continue working the steps this time. Suit up, Show up and Shut up?

And Sacerdote, I love that Paley quote. I read Appendix II in the Big Book at least once a week. Waiting on the FULL spiritual awakening to occur.

 

[madison1101]

Doing six and seven with my sponsor right now. I finally did a "real" step four and five after 26 years of being in the program and slips. I managed to string 18 years together without drinking, but I can't call it sobriety. Four and Five were major hang ups for me but my sponsor helped me through it. I don't personally believe I could trust any human that much, but it worked. I'm determined to stay sober and continue working the steps this time. Suit up, Show up and Shut up?

And Sacerdote, I love that Paley quote. I read Appendix II in the Big Book at least once a week. Waiting on the FULL spiritual awakening to occur.

I never had a problem with Steps Four and Five, but got really hung up at Step Seven. I was never ready for God to remove certain character defects.

The Spiritual Awakening is the result of working the first 11 Steps. You are well on your way to achieving that. Keep up the good work.

Trish

 

[HUBIE]

Thanks Trish!

I guess my problem with 4 and 5 was finally getting around to admitting to myself just how rotten I had become in the flesh. Jesus knew the whole time...... I was only fooling myself!

And I understand your problem with 7 as well. We get kinda, sorta, a little bit attached to our sin don't we? I'm still smoking after all these years. I'm sure God would love to see me kick the habit, I just like it so much. *sigh*

 

[If Not For Grace]

FOR ME With regard to Step 4:

I finally figured out a moral inventory included my good traits & characteristics as well as stuff I need to work on. Sometimes if you focus on the positive traits you have it helps you set more positive goals. My biggest goal is to continue to move in a postivie direction each day.

We often need to forgive ourselves (we may have wronged ourselves) & to be our own cheerleader. Its that If God be for me thing...

Most of us are hard enough on ourselves already..Just wanted to add the positive limb to the inventory tree. I think it's important and it's just not treated as such with the Blueprint for Progress suggested workbook.