Our journey through the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous teaches us the value of daily inventory. Much can be discovered and the inner self can be transformed as we move away from the instincts of our human nature and progress into the world of the Spirit. We realize there is no need to wait until the end of each day to perform such an inventory, as we can address the manifestation of our defects as they occur. The book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous says, "There is the spot check inventory, taken at any time of the day that we find ourselves getting tangled up." This may be as simple as identifying unkind thoughts that we have of people who are not like us in appearance or beliefs, so that we can reveal and deal with the thoughts as they are happening...and not wait until the end of the day to address such things.When we have completed the first nine steps of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous we have extricated ourselves from the past and freed ourselves of the shame and guilt we carried for so many years. By implementing a daily inventory and progressing it steadily into a spot check inventory, we can tackle the manifestation of our character defects as they occur in the present so that in this moment and at this time we are free of the instincts of our human nature and one with God.
We have unraveled, treated and released our past and are now free of the bondage of self - we are at peace in the will of God. Discovery through inventory is a crucial tool of recovery, existing so as not to create yet another unpleasant past that we are burdened to carry into the present.
Written by Armand
The underlying question in the program of recovery is not only - do I want to get and stay sober? It is - do I want to live as the person I was born to be? In other words, do I want to recover me? By integrating all Twelve Steps into my life, I have discovered my life. But, as you point out, my fear-based human nature thrives on my unmet instincts. Thus, inventory is as necessary for my spirit as exercise is for my body. Both, of course, help to placate my mind which is the center of my self-centeredness. Commitment to the ultimate gift of receiving myself through The Power Within me is essential to my search for wholeness. Yes, it is spiritual action- requiring spiritual work.
ReplyDeleteMichael the path to daily freedom and a sense of dignity...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteSpot on, and If done with absolute abandon, the previous steps have brought us into a divinely inspired personal relationship with God. We have discovered that God is not some nebular impersonal mystical force but in fact a Person. Indeed, a Loving Father who uniquely loves each and every one of us with a love beyond telling. In Step 7 we have humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings for we have come to realize in Step 6 that His plan for us is a divine plan that can only be accomplished with Divine Power, His Power, and the very essence of His Being. In steps 8 and 9 we discover He has healed our once seared and self righteous conscience and provides physical opportunity's to share His grace with others.
Our spirit has become tender and as the Big Book proclaims, "Finally, we begin to see that all people, including our-selves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means. It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up. We can often check ourselves by remembering that we are today sober only by the grace of God and that any success we may be having is far more His success than ours."
As our journey continues we discover that the one time insatiable obsession with self is being replaced by an overwhelming empathy, love and understanding for even those who may despise us as we reflect and proclaim the essence of God’s simple plan and Spirit who now inhabits ours. Steps 10, 11 and 12 reveal the immutable fact that moment by moment our current spiritual state no longer reflects our once immature and fragmentary prayers, but are inspired by His...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
a Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic loved when you said 'our Spirit becomes tender.' How true...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder of the "spot check inventory."
The first nine steps have taught me that when I make a mistake or harm someone, I can stop, pause, apologize or try to make the amends without causing more hurt. I can then ask God to forgive me. Once done, I feel as though I am one step closer to doing God's will.
Sid P
Sid a day in the will of God is a day worth living...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDelete