My first fourth step was a scalding list of all the wrongs those about me had infliced upon my life. I had not mentioned the injuries I had inflicted upon them to make them treat me that way. My sponsor smiled, handed my notes back to me, referred me to my "Big Book" suggesting that I might look at my part in the affairs I was resentful over.
After several tries, my sponsor handed to me a guide of several pages that in his words would "cure what ails ya". I do not know where he got it, but the guide, but it made my task of a fearless and thorough inventory a little easier. I now share it with all of you.
After reading the instructions, please click on the titles to view the guide's pages.
Fourth Step Review Sheet Instructions
In dealing with resentments we must put them to paper. We list people, places, things, institutions, or principles in which we grew angry over.
Complete the forms by first listing who or what we are resentful toward. Do nothing else at this point in the Affects or Wrongs portion of the form. You are just listing who or what the resentment is harbored toward.
Having listed the person, place or thing resented, we ask ourselves why we were angry and we list the resentment(s) toward this person, place, or thing. At this point we feel that a notebook would help to make notes concerning any particular resentment.
Why were we angry? What did this affect? Was it our self esteem, or something else? We check off the affected columns as we recognize the area of self that were impacted.
Having listed the who, what, where, and why, we go to the list again to find out how we were at fault. We ignore the wrongs done against us and concentrate on our own involvement. We look for where we had been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and fearful, or inconsiderate. Here is where the rigorous honesty comes in. A checkmark went in the appropriate box.
The process is repeated with each resentment. Soon patterns develop and we can see the EXACT nature of our wrongs. We then share these wrongs with God and another living human being. This will allow us to deal with our defects of character so we will not harm ourselves or others.
The look at self does not stop here. We must continually be on guard for self will run riot. Only a daily inventory will keep us on the straight and narrow, allowing us to carry out God's will for us.
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