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STEP FIVE, PART 3: Looking the world in the eye.
I'm Penny, a compulsive eater and food addict and 2nd Quarter WTS leader.
I hope to never forget how I felt after I worked Step 5. I felt totally
peaceful, calm, centered and serene. I felt strong and secure. Most of all, I
felt as though Higher Power were surrounding me with love and warmth. I can't
be sure, but I think I was glowing. I had told someone my deepest, darkest
secrets, and she hugged me. Her eyes had glazed over only two or three times
during the hours of my reading. She had given me some calming perspective on
things I thought were outrageous and atrocious ... and had nudged me to
further explore things I was tending to gloss over. Most of all, she was
still willing to be my sponsor, no matter what I had done. That was
liberating beyond belief.
The best description of the aftereffect of Step 5 is found in the AA Big
Book:
"Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can
look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our
fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have
had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual
experience. The feeling that the (food) problem has disappeared will often
come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with
the Spirit of the Universe." (AA, p. 75)
It is a mind- and life-altering feeling.
No resting for the weary, the Big Book continues with what we are supposed to
do next:
"Returning home we find a place where we can be quiet for an hour, carefully
reviewing what we have done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart that
we know (God) better. Taking this book down from our shelf we turn to the
page which contains the twelve steps. Carefully reading the first five
proposals we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch
through which we shall walk a free (person) at last. Is our work solid so
far? Are the stones properly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put into
the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar without sand?
"If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six." (AA, p. 75)
Take the time to work Step 5. Follow the directions in the Big Book. And
let's move on to Step 6.
Thoughts for journaling/sharing:
1. If you have experienced Step 5, what was your reaction?
2. If you have not yet experienced Step 5, what do you hope will be your
reaction?
3. If you are hesitating working Step 5, please share with the group why.
4. Read the paragraph from the Big Book, and please share your answers with
the group.
Yours in recovery,
Penny
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