March 23

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Step Four suggests honesty with myself. Self-deception multiplies my problems and is an obstacle to the resolution of many of them. A searching and fearless inventory of my irrational behaviors and negative attitudes, like surgery for an inflamed appendix, is essential in my search for better emotional health. Self-justification may tempt me to explain away each fault as I uncover it. I may blame the shortcomings on others to excuse my own. On the other hand, lack of God-given humility may be clouding my appreciation and realization of my true value and worth. I have both weaknesses and strengths.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Remind me that my strength grows day by day when I face myself as I am, and patiently correct whatever is keeping me from growing into the person I want to be.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I will find serenity and stability only when I am honest with myself.

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April 3

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Perfectionism is one of my character defects. When I work hard and honestly on my Fourth Step, I was anticipating a feeling of happiness and accomplishment. I had already made plans to share it with my Fifth-Step person. The day came and my strong feelings were: "It's not good enough. It doesn't mean anything. The work was less than adequate." I reviewed my Fourth Step and realized not only was I looking for perfection, I was also fearful of rejection. Only with trust in my Higher Power, and knowledge that I had honestly tried to do a good job, could I overcome the fear and share my Fourth Step.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Thank You for the strength and love and courage You give me whenever I ask for
it.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
My Higher Power is always there for me.

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January 7

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I knew my secrets were hurting me a lot. As I was being hurt, I was hurting others. I finally decided to call a secret a secret, and I itemized them as suggested in Step Four. I faced them with the one weapon that could get rid of them - honesty. Being honest with myself made it easier to be honest with others. Through looking at past mistakes, I found I could forgive myself for being human. Isn't that what I am supposed to be? While going through this self-inventory, I found I really had some strong points. This led to a new sense of confidence. Now when I take my inventory I know I have to have done at least one good thing today - even if it was only getting up on time. There were days in the past when I did not get up at all.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I continue to take moral inventories of myself, never holding anything back out of shame or pride. Help me to be willing to recognize my assets.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I need to accept that I have assets.

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December 3

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My life is occupied often with too much thinking and not enough feeling. This condition of constant thinking leaves me physically tense at the end of the day. Usually this keeps me restless in my sleep at night. This physical discomfort alone should prod me into working the Fourth Step. Before I can free myself to feel, I must be willing to look at yesterday's hurts and guilt's and put them on paper today. The unfulfilled needs of my infancy and the repressed pains of my childhood will slowly drain from me as I put to work the slogan, "Know thyself - be honest."

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
I seek the courage necessary to work Step Four.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Sustained healing takes place only when I work the Steps.

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September 24

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In order to maintain this loving attitude which I have started to experience, I frequently have to give up some necessary characteristic of my self-will. Each time it is a different item: an attitude, an erroneous belief, and unrealistic goal, or another person's approval. Once I discover through one of the Twelve Steps what is hampering my progress, I ask God to remove that defect, just for today. Steps Four and Ten are most useful when I feel separate from God and do not realize why. Working Step Four releases me from all past wrongdoings, and Step Ten keeps present wrongdoings from piling up.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Let me not stray too far from You before I begin to work a step to help myself.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
To change the things I can.

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August 28

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In the Fourth Step we write down not only our character defects, but we also list our positive traits. Why can't I realize the power I have to improve my emotional health by using these gifts, these traits which make me feel good about myself, and make those around me feel good too? My sense of humor is number one on my list of positive qualities. The best person to use it for is me. Laughing at myself helps me to be humble and to accept myself even when I goof. When others are down and I can make them laugh, we both benefit.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to develop a sense of humor and appreciate laughter in my life.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I believe God is a healer and that laughter is one of God's prescriptions.

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July 17

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My written inventory must be through, going back to my earliest memories, because this is where the root of my problem is. It was in childhood I developed a pattern of behavior which I thought would protect me from hurt, assure me of financial and emotional security, and gain approval and praise for myself. Step Four is an ego-reducer. To get to this step I have had to admit I have not been able to gain peace of mind and emotional stability by applying my old patterns of behavior and thinking.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I realize that You will accept my sincere attempt to search out my strengths as well as my weaknesses.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I do not have to do things perfectly for God's approval.

Emotions Anonymous

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