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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> STEP 5 - EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
Post Info TOPIC: STEP 5 - EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
ML


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STEP 5 - EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
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"Step Five - Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."

I don't speak for Emotions Anonymous as a whole, only from my experience and my reading sources.  I use the "Emotions Anonymous" self-titled book, the "It Works if You Work It" handbook for EA, and some of my EA stepwork books as well as the EA "Today" book. Because I have encountered some controversy regarding copyright infringment I am going with my own story on this step, rather than quotes.

I am particularly touched with how Tahir describes Step 5 in his posting for NA. I find that other programs use similar readings, and similar teachings regardless of the 'object' of powerlessness. I am grateful for this here on site.

Step 5 for me, a person with emotional powerlessness, brought up alot. I found that I was so mortified with sharing I pretty much blubbered through the entire thing, leading me to believe that what I 'did' in my Step 5 was appropriate in my Step 5 after some reflection.  

I literally shared some of my 'defects' right then and there. In living technicolor...my self-judgement, my self-pity, my self-disgust, my irrational fears, my pride, my narcissism.....oh lots and lots came out.....it was 'demonstration' day rather than 'talk about it' day....I am grateful for the patience and support my 5th step mentor showed. It made me feel more 'human' and also perhaps just a bit more 'sane' than I expected.

Finding a person to share a Step 5 who has again has knowledge of Program and perhaps knows me might be what I desire for my 'next' time. That way I have someone who has perhaps shared with me in group, has seen me in action, and isn't likely to just 'buy' what I am selling. They may have questions for me. They may discuss some points more thoroughly with me. Step 5 can be a gift. Just my experience....take what you need and leave the rest.

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Tahir


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Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope on Step Five, ML. Glad we have you here with us. My first Step Five was also with somone outside the fellowship. The second time, it was with my first Sponsor in the fellowship. Both were deeply healing and rewarding experiences for me. Warm Regards & Fellowship Love.

-- Edited by Tahir at 21:38, 2007-07-26

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"We do not want to lose any of what we have gained; we want to continue in the program."
Tahir


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When I did my fifth step with my first sponsor, I realized that many of those incidents in my past, especially those from my childhood in context with my family, that created destructive patterns within me that repeated again and again until I came to recovery, were more due to my powerlessness over my emotions that seemed to overwhelm me and not because of my parents or my siblings as I had otherwise made myself believe. Sharing my inventory on these issues with my Sponsor brought out many self-defeating aspects from within me that I chose and acted upon as a defense or reaction to other people over the years. My expectations not being met, my extreme fear of being ridiculed or punished, my inability to cope with the unbearable pain that I manifested out of situations, fear of losing someone that I hold close... All these emotions always used to run non-stop within me, overlapping and overwhelming me to such an extent that I started indulging in drugs, alcohol and self-injury in an attempt to control these emotions. I ended up a chronic depressive as a result.

My inventory and sharing it with my sponsor made it possible for me to reverse the process of blame, admit and own my defects and my exact nature. For the first time, with the help and guidance of my sponsor, I was able to come to peace with many people in my life and with many situations from the past that had turned a major block within me for many years, driving me deeper and deeper into emotional unmanageability, and was able to accept the truth about myself without blaming anyone or anything and without indulging in self-pity or shame. I cannot express how grateful I'm to my first Sponsor to have taken me through this vital process of healing due to which I enjoy the most content and loving relationships with my parents and my siblings and many of my past relationships today like never before.

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"We do not want to lose any of what we have gained; we want to continue in the program."
florence


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hi, my first time sharing here. i just wanted to say it's lovely to hear alanon language. i have not had a meeting for 8 weeks due to relocating in a new country. i had a slip yesterday and indulged in some blaming and lost my temper, so today i had to make amends. thanks for being here to listen and share.

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florrie
Tahir


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Thank you Florence for sharing with us. Glad you are here with us. Warm Regards and Fellowship Love.

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"We do not want to lose any of what we have gained; we want to continue in the program."
Tahir


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Posts: 105
Date:
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I'm adding up a post here just to bring the stepwork board threads in order since I again find all the threads mixed up again creating confusion to members who log in here as to what step we are currently at smile.gif

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"We do not want to lose any of what we have gained; we want to continue in the program."
Tahir


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Posts: 105
Date:
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Hi ML,

How are you? Been sometime since I read your posts here. Hope all is well with you and your loved ones.

Blessings and Peace,

Tahir.

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"We do not want to lose any of what we have gained; we want to continue in the program."
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