4th Step -- Moral Inventory

Hi John,

I've been thinking about our conversation the other day about what things to put down on your moral inventory. We've made an excellent beginning with steps 1,2 and 3, but I'm concerned that you don't feel like you have much to put down for your fourth step. Having only 3 things on there (even if they're big ones) means you're damn close to being a saint!!  I wish it were true you were a saint, but lets face it.... Saints don't walk into Alcoholics Anonymous looking for help at your age!! lol

When you quit drinking, your life got a little better. Even without the alcohol, however, you're still left with all of the personality traits that drove you to drink in the first place. A moral inventory is meant to be a complete list of everything that has occurred in your life which may be a source of negative emotion.

As it says in chapter 5 "With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the start." I told you early on that the one thing you would absolutely need for this program to work is honesty -- now is the time for that honesty. Maybe try to think of this as a confession if that helps.

I realize that I too had a difficult time making a fourth step list. Some stuff is just buried deep in there. I found this 4th step guide online that may be useful: 4th Step Guide. The format isn't what we wanted, but near the bottom of the page is a series of questions you may find helpful to finding something to write about. Go through them and maybe you'll find something you'd forgotten about.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy your trip to and I look forward to getting together with you when you return.

Happy 24 hours,

David

"So when A.A. suggests a fearless moral inventory, it must seem to every newcomer that more is being asked of him than he can do. Both his pride and his fear beat him back every time he tries to look within himself. Pride says, "You need not pass this way," and Fear says, "You dare not look!" But the testimony of A.A.'s who have really tried a moral inventory is that pride and fear of this sort turn out to be bogeymen, nothing else. Once we have a complete willingness to take inventory, and exert ourselves to do the job thoroughly, a wonderful light falls upon this foggy scene. As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable. These are the first fruits of Step Four."pp. 49-50 -- 12 & 12