inventory

Year in Review – Recovered 395

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This Episode is sponsored by Siegfried W.

Mark, Joe, Spencer, and Russ discuss their successes and failures in 2012.  Joe started the show by talking about how his work in the program has paid off this year.  The living amends Joe worked on paid off in his family relations, especially with his father, sister, and nephew.  Joe said that he received so much more than sobriety by working the steps.  The program gave him the tools to change so that his family relationships could grow.

Spencer talked about the power of steps 6 and 7.  He had worked these steps previously, but this time he really explored some fear areas of his life and he was more ready to accept them as part of his life.  By working these steps, he received relief.  As soon as he was ready, the grip on him started to be removed and he got relief.  Spencer understands that he is being relieved of these fears, they are not gone, but lessened.  There is work to be done and habits have been formed around these fears and he is working on it.  It is a relief for Spencer to talk about these fears.

Russ shared about his ability to be a citizen of the world.  Russ is more aware of his gratitude for opportunities because of his sobriety.  There have been ups and downs but he is more aware of the necessity to be open minded.  He has discovered the gifts of the program but is also aware there is more work to be done.  Just like if he was to receive a new car as a gift, he still would have to change the oil and do a maintenance program to take care of the gift.  Russ shared that growth implies change and sometimes change can be painful.

Mark shared that his so grateful to be able to go through the difficult moments sober, like the death of his son.  He is grateful for the program and the fellowship so that he can feel the feelings and not have to take a drink to cope.  Mark shared that he has more awareness of his need for his higher power.  Mark is also more aware his profound love for the people around him.  These are both gifts of the program.

Recovered 381 Show Notes – Expectations

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Mark, Russ and Aaron discuss the Recovery Topic Expectations

High expectation are premeditated resentments while low expectations are premeditated disappointments.
This topic was suggested by listener Liz from Louisiana.  Thanks Liz.

Tonight, the following people were interviewed:

John
Tammy

Liz, who has less than one year of sobriety and is working on her 4th step, and is finding that she is trying to figure out what is a reasonable expectation.

Russ applauded Liz regarding her ability to have introspection and discover that expectations are a problem.  Russ suggested that the third step prayer as shown in the Big Book be done before the 4th step is attempted. Russ shared that he had lots of expectations early in his sobriety which resulted in frustration.

Aaron also related with similar feelings regarding expectations early in sobriety.  Aaron remembered that he was warned to watch expectations because they lead to resentments.

Russ and Aaron used the fellowship, the sponsor, and steps 2, 4, 5, and especially 10 to deal with expectations and to try to determine reasonable expectations.  Unreasonably high expectations is like going to the hardware store for a loaf of bread.  We need to figure out what our loved ones are able to do and resist the temptation to expect more than they are able.  If I need recovery support and encouragement, I need to go to people who are able to give it.

Recovered 378 – Inventory

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Tonight, Joe, Spencer, Russ, and Mark share their experience strength and hope regarding Inventory.  They discuss steps 4 and 10.

Materials Referenced During This Episode

Joe and Charlie 4th Step Worksheet
4th Step Analyzer
The Annotated Big Book Handbook
Our Recovery Library (each purchase helps the show)

Joe’s initial reaction to step 4 as a new comer was that he didn’t want to do a 4th step.  Joe was told if he didn’t do a 4th, he would likely pick up a 5th.  After a little time, Joe decided he wanted a better recovery life, so his sponsor encouraged him to continue working the steps, especially steps 4 and 5 which required writing an inventory.

Spencer, an al-anon, initially thought that the steps were for his loved one who had the drink problem, not him.  But after a little bit of time in the fellowship, Spencer wanted what others had.  They seemed to be happy.  So he decided to do what they had done, an inventory.

Russ shared that he also didn’t want to do an inventory when he first came into the program.  But he was told that he would likely drink if he didn’t do an inventory, so he decided to work the steps.  Russ found that after step 3 he was ready to launch into a rigorous course of action which included an inventory.  The downside of not doing an inventory for an AA is relapse.  Spencer shared that the downside for an Al-anon in not doing steps 4 and 5 is to be stuck in the program doing and redoing steps 1 through 3.

The process of inventory allows us to look at our faults and grow.

Step 10, the daily inventory, was also discussed by all.