clueless on step 4
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 35
What is my part (4 column) aids learning about self in the original poster point of view
Resent bf ignoring her, affects her self esteem, security, her part is not setting personal boundaries, being dishonest with both herself and him about her expectations (communication) it can then lead on to show what aspect of life present a reoccurring pattern if any, and has that in turn played a part in her drinking
Resent bf ignoring her, affects her self esteem, security, her part is not setting personal boundaries, being dishonest with both herself and him about her expectations (communication) it can then lead on to show what aspect of life present a reoccurring pattern if any, and has that in turn played a part in her drinking
Originally Posted by leighqt;511531What is my part (4 column) [B
aids learning about self in the original poster point of view[/B]
Resent bf ignoring her, affects her self esteem, security, her part is not setting personal boundaries, being dishonest with both herself and him about her expectations (communication) it can then lead on to show what aspect of life present a reoccurring pattern if any, and has that in turn played a part in her drinking
Resent bf ignoring her, affects her self esteem, security, her part is not setting personal boundaries, being dishonest with both herself and him about her expectations (communication) it can then lead on to show what aspect of life present a reoccurring pattern if any, and has that in turn played a part in her drinking
Reading some of the earlier posts it is evident that many newcomers are sent away with the big book and some paper to do their fourth on their own. If that had happened to me, I wouldn't be alive now. I needed in depth help with my fourth. My sponsor worked with me for four hours, at the end of which we had what has turned out to be a perfectly adequate fourth step. The next day we took five and my spritual experience began, just as promised in the book.
If you are new and struggling, make your sponsor help you with this step. If they won't, find another sponsor. It is pretty well known that most of the people that come to AA and relapse never get a fourth step done. Your chances of recovery go up exponentially if you can get past this step, so It is worth insisting on getting the help you need with it.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
That's up to you. They are your emotions/experiences and ultimately you'll need to decide.
As was mentioned don't over-think this too much. Just write it down and perhaps you'll see a pattern of behavior which might have caused problems over the years.
It's such behaviors you want to learn to recognize and deal with in a more positive manner.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 35
Is also important with a step for that positive self traits are also done, I never see this spoken about. I was left feeling battered and very very bruised with resulted in massive resentment towards AA , which resulted in my leaving and only now 3 ish years later will be returning.
Edit, that wasn't the only reason I left , and I went on to do, 3 further step 4 s
Edit, that wasn't the only reason I left , and I went on to do, 3 further step 4 s
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,109
here is what I did and still do with my resentments and anger
works just fine for me
anger/resentment is the number one offender
it must be rooted out and it can only be done with God`s help
it is a simple little process
there is a prayer I use-God,please have me do this work the way YOU want me to do it,please show me the truth about myself,help me to be honest,searching,through and fearless...Thank You!
we must be sure we ask God for help FIRST because anger/self etc keeps our perspective distorted!We need His Help to go thru the process and get back to HIM.
first I made a grudge list,then I transferred the names to column one
1. I list my anger-I am pissed off at my brother in law(example)-column one
After all my names was listed on my column one I then did column 2 and 3 at the same time,it was easier that way
2.I list why I am pissed-______________ -column two(do 2 & 3 before moving on to the next name)
3.then I list how it affects me-(self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal relationships, (including sex) were hurt or threatened. So we were sore. We were 'burned up.' On our grudge list we set opposite each name our injuries. Was it our self-esteem, our security, our ambitions, our personal, or sex relations, which had been interfered with?
4.After the 3 columns are complete, I pray for each name on my list,one at a time,not just lip service,but heart service.The Big Book gives me a good prayer to use,The Sick Man`s Prayer.These instructions are in the big book,chapter 5.
This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too.(The sick mans prayer)
We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, "This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done."
now comes the good spiritual part,I may have to pray for quite a while ,not just once,but for every name on my list,but time spent in prayer never hurt me!
(here is a good suggestion)
I need to pray the Sick Man`s Prayer untill............
(1) I can avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn't treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least
(2)God shows me how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one....and during this prayer process I usually find my heart softing to where I want a good relationship with __________
ok,then I go to column 4 since I can see clearer and I am back into the Fellowship with the Spirit more than I was
5.Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man's. When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set these matters straight.
I just ask myself a few questions about each resentment and write out the answers the best I can and with God`s help I can see where self had got into my life and was killing me
here are the column 4 questions my sponsor had me answer for each resentment
1.Selfish:What did I want?
2.Dishonest:
what was the lie I told myself?
What would I not get or receive?
I thought _________________
I told myself_____________________
I pretended____________________
3.self seeking:
What did I do to get what I wanted?
How did I manuilapate?
4.frightened:
What was I afraid of?
What was the fear?(name it by name ,you`ll need it on your fear inventory next)
What might I lose or not get?
I am a alcoholic,this process works just fine,and is the AA program that will keeps giving me a daily reprieve and right relationships with God and others
A few word definations
Selfish:
only concerned with oneself or interests
Ambitions:
a consuming desire to achieve some object or purpose as to gain distinction or influence
Security:
Free from fear or danger
Self seeking:
Our actions based on our selfishness
works just fine for me
anger/resentment is the number one offender
it must be rooted out and it can only be done with God`s help
it is a simple little process
there is a prayer I use-God,please have me do this work the way YOU want me to do it,please show me the truth about myself,help me to be honest,searching,through and fearless...Thank You!
we must be sure we ask God for help FIRST because anger/self etc keeps our perspective distorted!We need His Help to go thru the process and get back to HIM.
first I made a grudge list,then I transferred the names to column one
1. I list my anger-I am pissed off at my brother in law(example)-column one
After all my names was listed on my column one I then did column 2 and 3 at the same time,it was easier that way
2.I list why I am pissed-______________ -column two(do 2 & 3 before moving on to the next name)
3.then I list how it affects me-(self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal relationships, (including sex) were hurt or threatened. So we were sore. We were 'burned up.' On our grudge list we set opposite each name our injuries. Was it our self-esteem, our security, our ambitions, our personal, or sex relations, which had been interfered with?
4.After the 3 columns are complete, I pray for each name on my list,one at a time,not just lip service,but heart service.The Big Book gives me a good prayer to use,The Sick Man`s Prayer.These instructions are in the big book,chapter 5.
This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too.(The sick mans prayer)
We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, "This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done."
now comes the good spiritual part,I may have to pray for quite a while ,not just once,but for every name on my list,but time spent in prayer never hurt me!
(here is a good suggestion)
I need to pray the Sick Man`s Prayer untill............
(1) I can avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn't treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least
(2)God shows me how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one....and during this prayer process I usually find my heart softing to where I want a good relationship with __________
ok,then I go to column 4 since I can see clearer and I am back into the Fellowship with the Spirit more than I was
5.Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man's. When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set these matters straight.
I just ask myself a few questions about each resentment and write out the answers the best I can and with God`s help I can see where self had got into my life and was killing me
here are the column 4 questions my sponsor had me answer for each resentment
1.Selfish:What did I want?
2.Dishonest:
what was the lie I told myself?
What would I not get or receive?
I thought _________________
I told myself_____________________
I pretended____________________
3.self seeking:
What did I do to get what I wanted?
How did I manuilapate?
4.frightened:
What was I afraid of?
What was the fear?(name it by name ,you`ll need it on your fear inventory next)
What might I lose or not get?
I am a alcoholic,this process works just fine,and is the AA program that will keeps giving me a daily reprieve and right relationships with God and others
A few word definations
Selfish:
only concerned with oneself or interests
Ambitions:
a consuming desire to achieve some object or purpose as to gain distinction or influence
Security:
Free from fear or danger
Self seeking:
Our actions based on our selfishness
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