Step 5

Admitted to God, to ourselves and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

. C2C page 311. What is the exact nature of our wrongs? Is the unspoken self-defeating assumptions that give rise to my thoughts and actions? These include the idea that our best is not good enough that I am not worthy of love and that I have been hurt too deeply to ever really heal .

 If we dig deep enough, we usually find out such as these beneath the things we feel the worst about. I am learning to examine whether or not there is any truth to these assumptions. Then I can begin to build my life around the more realistic more loving way of seeing myself.

Living with alcoholism has taken a huge toll on our self-esteem as a result, we may not recognize how many wrongs are built upon a faulty sense of self. That is why the process is so enlightening, and so cleansing. Together with my Higher Power and another person. I can even change lifelong patterns.

My Share

I believe the above page says it all, and summarizes how important Step Five is. My recovery really came to life,once I was  able to look at myself honestly  and share what I found with another and myself  No more denial and pretend simply honesty and humility I found it was  so important not to blame,another but to simply see my part and own it.  It was also important ot see my assets and own them because I was going to use them to rebuild my self esteem and self worth  as I let go of  the defects that were hurting me

Step 5 Questions

1.  Have you taken a formal Fifth Step? 

What was the impact of that on your life and your feelings about yourself?

2.  Are you in the habit of sharing yourself - who you are - with other people? 

When was the last time you called someone because you needed to talk about something? 

Do you talk to people about what you're going through when you're going through it, or do you wait until you've resolved the incident yourself, then report it after the fact?

3.  Is there someone in your life now whom you need to talk to? 

Is there something going on - a feeling, a need, or an issue - that you don't want to talk about, but need to? 

 Is there someone you're avoiding because you have something difficult to say?

4.  In the past week, have you treated yourself or another person badly?  You may want to choose someone safe and trusted and tell that person what you have done.  Then tell God.

5.  Each morning for the next week, when you wake up, take a moment to notice what you're feeling.  Often, we're at our most vulnerable in those quiet moments before we begin the activity of the day.  Check in with yourself emotionally.  Take a moment to tell God what you're feeling.  Tell yourself.  Within the next four hours, sooner if possible, tell someone else what you are feeling.  You don't have to make a "feelings group" out of it; just disclose honestly what you are feeling.  Do this same activity once more during the day - either at the end of the workday, after supper, or during a quiet time in the evening.

  The next time a big feeling strikes - hurt, fear, anger, joy, blessedness, pleasure - call another person and talk about what you're feeling while you're feeling it. Powerful rewarding step