Commitment to Continue

Yesterday I finished my Step Five. We sat for two hours and I shared everything from my inventory – the resentments the fears the character defects the patterns. When we finished I felt lighter but also aware that this wasn't the end. The work continues.

We honestly face the past and by sharing our faults make a commitment to continue to grow and change. The sharing itself is the commitment. By speaking these things out loud to another person I've acknowledged I can't hide from them anymore. I've made myself accountable. I've declared that I want to grow past these patterns.

Before Step Five I could pretend the patterns in my inventory weren't that significant. I could minimize them or rationalize them or plan to work on them someday. But after Step Five I can't hide anymore. Someone else knows. I've spoken the truth out loud. That creates a commitment to keep growing.

The commitment isn't to be perfect or to never struggle with these defects again. It's to continue – to keep working to keep growing to keep changing. Step Five marks the transition from awareness to action.

After completing Step Five, I can acknowledge to my sponsor: This sharing is my commitment to keep growing. I'm not promising perfection, but I am committing to continue working on these patterns. The honesty I practiced today is honesty I'll keep practicing.