Step 5 Into Action

I don’t just confess my wrongs, Step 5 directs me to admit “the Exact Nature of my defects,”(Pg.72,¶1,L10). I always justify, rationalize and believe half-truths, “the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn’t think so.” (Pg.62,¶1,L14), so it’s easier for someone else to see my faults clearly.

“Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitude (Step 2), a new relationship with our Creator (Step 3), and to discover the obstacles in our path (Step 4)” (Pg.72,¶1,L2). So I ask God for the courage to reveal my dark past, and the humility to expose my fear driven selfishness.“Now these are about to be cast out” (Pg.72,¶1,L7).

The Exact Nature of my Defects arise out of 7 areas of self.
Driven by fearful self centredness, they fuel my dishonesty and resentment.

SELF ESTEEM:	How I think of myself / 'Myself assigned identity’	Start sentences with; 'I am…' (example) 'I'm the best partner they could have
PRIDE:	How I want others to think of me / 'The role I assign to others'	Start sentences with; 'Others should...' / 'No one should...' / or 'Others can...'
AMBITIONS:	My expectations / My ideal results from any effort	Start sentences with; 'I want the respect of...' or 'I wish others would...'
SECURITY:	What I need to be okay	Start sentences with; 'I want...' or 'I can't be challenged…'
PERSONAL RELATIONS:	My deep beliefs of how my relationships should be	(examples) 'Wives trust husbands' or 'Real friends are agreeable' or 'Mothers support their sons'
SEX CONDUCT:	My deep belief of how proper couples should behave.	Start sentences with; “A real man ... “ and/or “A real woman ...”
POCKET BOOK:	My financial security	Start sentences with; 'Nobody should…' (example) 'Nobody should interfere with my job'

1. Have I analyzed my obvious shortcomings and “ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is” (Pg.72,¶1,L5 ),
2. Did I thoroughly confess my faults to a Higher Power, “admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human” for deeper Insight. (Pg.72,¶1,L8), b) Am I willing to pray in a spiritual location first, so I'll be, “more reconciled to discussing myself with another person?” (Pg.72,¶2,L18),
3. Do I tell someone, “who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself” to add weight to my recovery? (Pg.18,¶4,L19),
4. Do I believe, “If I skip this vital step, I may not overcome drinking/using? (Pg.72,¶2,L21).
5. Can I set aside my ego to, “learn enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense that it’s necessary?” (Pg.73,Top¶,L8).
6. Have I lead a double life, “very much the actor ...presenting my stage character ...to enjoy a certain reputation, I knows in my heart I don’t deserve?” (Pg.73,¶1,L13).
7. a) Are my, “memories a nightmare?” b) Do I, “tremble to think someone might have observed me. Quickly pushing these memories far inside myself?” c) Am I, “under constant fear and tension, that makes for more drinking?” (Pg.73,¶2,L17-22).
8. Have I lied to Doctors, “I've seldom told them the whole truth nor have I followed their advice. Unwilling to be honest with sympathetic men, I'm honest with no one else?” (Pg.73,¶3,L26).
9. Do I believe I, “must be entirely honest with somebody if I expect to live long or happily in this world?" (Pg.73-4,¶4,L31).
10. Do I realize I, “cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy?” (Pg.74,¶1,L15). b) Can I be, "hard on myself, but always considerate of others?” (Pg.74,¶1,L20).
11. Does my sharing partner realize, “that we are engaged upon a life-and-death errand?” (Pg.75-¶1-L7).
12. Am I willing to, “pocket my pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of my past?” (Pg.75,¶2,L10).
13. Am I delighted to, “Look the world in the eye, and be alone at perfect peace and ease?” b) Because my fears, “fall away as I begin to have a Spiritual Experience?” (Pg.75,¶2L16).
14. a) Will I, “be quiet for an hour, carefully reviewing what we have done. And thank God from the bottom of my heart that I know Him better.” b) Is my, “work solid so far? (Pg.75,¶3).

Are my stones properly in place? Have I skimped on the cement put into my foundation? Have I tried to make mortar without sand?” (Pg.75,¶3,L28).

• ‘Cement’ is a cross reference with (Pg.17,¶2,L17), Now I’ve, “shared in a common peril ...the powerful cement which binds us.”
• ‘Foundation’ is my 1st Step surrender, (Pg.12,¶4,L19), I believed, “growth could start ...upon a foundation of complete willingness?”
• ‘Stones’ refers to my Step 2, ‘cornerstone,’ (Pg.47,¶2,L19), “upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.*(Spiritual Awakening Pg.567). And my 3rd Step decision is the, ‘keystone,’ (Pg.62.¶3,L30), “hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director ...good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.”

I decide by myself when I'm willing to look at Step 6, “if we can answer to our satisfaction”, (Pg.76,¶1,L1). The measure of my readiness is my own Peace of mind.

Step 5 Into Action