One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
The self-searching suggested by Step Four is a long-term undertaking. It must go on for as long as I remain blind to the flaws which create so much trouble for me.
I must go on day after day trying to face myself as I am, and to correct whatever is keeping me from growing into the person I want to be.
As I review each day and think over the consequences of what I have said and done, I can go on to Step Five, which suggests that I admit these shortcomings, first to God as to myself, in a kind of private confession. When that is done, I need the courage to complete the Step by confiding my faults to another trusted human being. Such acknowledgment requires both humility and honesty.
Today’s Reminder:
As I understand the difficult task of facing myself and my faults, I will guard against self-justification and self-righteousness. I am well aware how easy it is to make excuses for myself, and to blame my misfortunes on others, and particularly on the alcoholic.
“To overcome my faults, I must first know what they are. Then I must admit to them, and, finally, with patient self-correction, diminish them, even if I cannot set myself wholly free.”