Fourth Step

Many people struggle with their fourth step. So I figured I would. I think the hardest part I struggled with was how to do it. These are the ways I listed that I could do my fourth step:
-old Blue Print for Progress
-new Blue Print for Progress
-Alateen Fourth Step Inventory
-list and describe daily frustrations
-list of fears
-write about the events and people I resent or distrust
-4 M's: martyrdom, managing, manipulating and mothering
-assests/defects list
-columns --> did I cause the problem? How have I tried to control it? Is it in my power to cure it? Did this action contribute to the problem? Comments
-answer 4th step questions in Paths to Recovery
-and of course Big Book style, which isn't really Al-Anon, but I know people do it

Really, this step is all about what works for you. The thought of sitting and writing about my character defects (and assests) really intimidated me. Not because I felt intimidated by my character defects, but because I despised writing. Put pen and paper in front of me and ask me to write and you'll get a death stare from me. But as I've discovered from blogging is that I can type what I think about. So I decided to type my fourth step. Not just go along and type my answers, but actually type out all the questions too. This made it easier for me to go back regularly and edit and add material. It also took what was already a habit for me, typing out my thoughts, and put it to practical program use. It worked beautifully for me. And while most of what I've blogged about in the past 6+ years is probably drivel, I can see it's use. It helped me get comfortable with writing about myself.

So if you're facing your fourth step, whether for the first time or the eighth time, be open to doing it a different way. One that your higher power leads you to.