Essential Tool
Learning to trust is an essential tool of recovery that brings with it relief and serenity.
I've been reflecting on what makes recovery work. It's not just attending meetings or reading literature or working Steps. It's something deeper – learning to trust. Trust that I'm not alone. Trust that people won't abandon me if I'm honest. Trust that vulnerability leads somewhere good.
Learning to trust is an essential tool of recovery that brings with it relief and serenity. Essential – not optional. Not a nice bonus if I happen to develop it. Essential. I cannot recover without learning to trust. And Step Five is where that trust gets practiced most intensely.
I have to trust the person hearing my Fifth Step won't judge me. Trust that sharing my secrets will bring relief not disaster. Trust that honesty strengthens relationships instead of destroying them. Every act of trust in Step Five builds my capacity to trust in all areas of life.
I can practice small acts of trust today that build toward Step Five. Share one thing with my sponsor I've been keeping to myself. Tell my home group something vulnerable. Each small trust strengthens my capacity for the bigger trust of Step Five.
