About 6 years ago I had the opportunity to do this step with my new sponsor, Matt. And what a liberating feeling it was. He said: "Unless we discuss our defects with another human being, we do not acquire enough humility, fearlessness, and honesty to really get this simple program. How true.

Unfortunately, I had a major hurdle to overcome before I was able to do this step. And at the center of this controversy was this giant sized ego I called, defense mechanism #1. It was my way of concealing all the shame I once hid for years, but that was then. So this step became my introduction into ego deflation 101, and rightfully so. It was a huge slice of humble pie 20 years in the making.

I finally felt this sense of relief as I spilled my guts out about everything. And to a complete stranger nonetheless. There was so much on my plate he didn't know, and so many secrets still left unresolved. A bitter reminder of days long gone. These unresolved conflicts left lasting impressions on my life for years. A huge burden overshadowing my need to be forgiven. It was also the first to go. After that came the resentments, and anything in between. Basically, what poured out from there could only be described as 'mind blowing', for sure. If you had to gauge it on a scale of 1 to 10, it would be an 11. My sponsor hasn't been the same, since.

The reason why it took so long was simple, actually. I was stuck on principles, or so I thought. Actually, it was more like pride. Anything that went against my better nature was not worth mentioning. Especially, if I had to explain my actions to another alcoholic. I'd rather confess my faults to a wandering wildebeest than confide in anyone else. So my tale of woe continued. That was until my sponsor suggested it to me. Then, I had to put all doubts aside and do the step. And When I did, something amazing happened. I experienced this wonderful sense of relief. It felt like the weight of hundred monkeys being lifted off my shoulders. That's when I knew a miracle had taken place. And so can you.

The key to step 5 has always been humility; A certain willingness to let go and let God. Those emotions that seemed to obstruct our view of the sublime will dissipate, once our defects our exposed.  Bill W. makes mention of this many times in the 12 &12, and with good reason. It's so profound, actually, that it's worth mentioning. So, here goes: "And when humility and serenity are so combined, something else of great moment is apt to occur. Many an A.A., once agnostic or atheistic, tells us that it was during this stage of Step Five that he first actually felt the presence of God. And even those who had faith already often become conscious of God as they never were before. This feeling of being at one with God and man, this emerging from isolation through the open and honest sharing of our terrible burden of guilt, brings us to a resting place where we may prepare ourselves for the following Steps toward a full and meaningful sobriety". How beautiful is that?

This was my turning point, and one I need to experience all along.  It became a springboard to a more purpose filled existence, for over 11+ years now -thanks be to God. So, here's my suggestion. Do it and be done.  And be transformed, like others have. Never doubting, never wavering. And done to the best of our ability. That, my friend, is how we "came to believe".

~God bless~

It's awesome.....A little pray before works wonders....Enjoy it!...Here is what you have to look forward to.....

We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. 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 drink 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.

I live in a nice older rented house in carson city nv, at the bottom of the mountains that lead to tahoe and i have a job ( working well below my self apointed station in life ) installing satilite tv, i love my job i love my job i love my job........ What i meant was  i was jobless and homeless and i was on my way to the AA club, there was no where else to go. That was the bus stop to get on the bus with the rest of the clowns where Gods at the wheel. I still find times where i want to drive and find out I have no where else to go and I am content just being another bozzo on the bus. 

It's essential to recovery to share all of ourselves with another human being. it is also essential for the sponsor to gie feedback. It says in the BB in the directions for step 5 very clearly a number of times that we "discuss" these things.

We are as honest with ourselves as we can be.  But we can only go so deep at this phase. We need a sponsor who can start showing us a little more and tell us what they see. This will be a great beginning for step 10 as we continue taking inventory of ourselves and continue growing.

Sometimes sh!t happens ... but you can't plan your future on what 'might' happen ... You did good ... Let it go at that! ... If something ever comes up, which isn't likely, deal with it then!!!