Regular inventory
“Continuing to take a personal inventory means that we form a habit of looking at
ourselves, our actions, attitudes, and relationships on a regular basis.”
Basic Text, p.41
Taking a regular inventory is a key element in our new pattern of living. In our
addiction, we examined ourselves as little as possible. We weren’t happy with how
we were living our lives, but we didn’t feel that we could change the way we lived.
Self-examination, we felt, would have been a painful exercise in futility.
Today, all that is changing. Where we were powerless over our addiction, we’ve
found a Power greater than ourselves that has helped us stop using. Where we once
felt lost in life’s maze, we’ve found guidance in the experience of our fellow
recovering addicts and our ever-improving contact with our Higher Power. We need
not feel trapped by our old, destructive patterns. We can live differently if we
choose.
By establishing a regular pattern of taking our own inventory, we give ourselves the
opportunity to change anything in our lives that doesn’t work. If we’ve started doing
something that causes problems, we can start changing our behavior before it gets
completely out of hand. And if we’re doing something that prevents problems from
occurring, we can take note of that, too, and encourage ourselves to keep doing
what works.
Just for today: I will make a commitment to include a regular inventory in my new
pattern of living.