When I first attended a Twelve Step program, I quickly “did” all twelve steps in about a month. That was expected. The Fifth Step, which I chose to do with my priest, was somewhat scary, but I continued on. When I had completed Step Nine, I felt a great sense of burdens being removed. I joined other fellowships and worked through the steps similarly.
Approximately ten years after I first entered “the rooms,” I joined Overeaters Anonymous. I started the same way, not taking long to go through the first nine steps, then continuing to work 10, 11 and 12. In OA I found that it is common to take the Fourth and Fifth Steps again regarding another person or a particular situation. I have gone through the steps several times in my OA life.
I have thought of the Sixth and Seventh Steps as the “working steps” for my character defects, but I am beginning to realize I have neglected a wonderful gift in the Fifth Step. To write out a Fifth Step around a character defect, share with Higher Power and then with a sponsor or partner in recovery is truly working the program. After all, the spiritual Principle of Step Five is integrity.
As it says in For Today on November 3rd: “I need not be afraid to admit anything to God and to another person, under God’s guidance.”
To continue to grow in recovery I need to use the Fifth Step, and I am grateful to do so!
Lesley – Region One
Approximately ten years after I first entered “the rooms,” I joined Overeaters Anonymous. I started the same way, not taking long to go through the first nine steps, then continuing to work 10, 11 and 12. In OA I found that it is common to take the Fourth and Fifth Steps again regarding another person or a particular situation. I have gone through the steps several times in my OA life.
I have thought of the Sixth and Seventh Steps as the “working steps” for my character defects, but I am beginning to realize I have neglected a wonderful gift in the Fifth Step. To write out a Fifth Step around a character defect, share with Higher Power and then with a sponsor or partner in recovery is truly working the program. After all, the spiritual Principle of Step Five is integrity.
As it says in For Today on November 3rd: “I need not be afraid to admit anything to God and to another person, under God’s guidance.”
To continue to grow in recovery I need to use the Fifth Step, and I am grateful to do so!
Lesley – Region One