12 STEPS to Recovery — STEP #4
Focus on the Recovery Process
SStep 4 requires taking a personal inventory. This means that we take a look at the past and learn from it. The following “autobiography” emphasizes the value of such actions.
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
Portia Nelson
I
I walk, down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost . . . I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street..