[GiveLove]

Growing,

I too have learned to love the 4th step work. It does NOT have to be torment....it's just an unfamiliar territory at first.

The question that I eventually had to ask myself is (and you've heard me on this topic before) "What kind of human being do I really want to be?" When I look back on my life at 80 or 90, what do I want to be able to say about myself? For me, it would be things like: I had unshakeable integrity; I didn't run away from my problems; I was courageous, creative, encouraging to the people I loved, and on and on.

I COULD NOT HOPE TO BECOME THIS PERSON WITHOUT THE 4TH STEP. The 4th step is and was the way for me to identify where my day-to-day behaviors and reactions were interfering with my ability to become this person I want to be.

It is my chance to take a deep breath, shine a light on myself and see where I can make small adjustments (or big on a good day) to come closer to being a person I can be proud of, and a person who I can love with all my heart, warts and all.

It takes a bit of courage, Growing, and the willingness to not take everything as being grave and serious. Even the worst, most dastardly fault you can find in yourself is still just Information. Not the end of the world ---- just Information to help you find a better way on the journey.

Baby steps, my friend. You will be fine.

XOX
GL