Step 4 - Fearless and Searching Moral Inventory

Writing on Some Suggested Themes:

Positive Characteristics

caring
intelligent
able to empathize
dependable
loyal
planner
can be a good listener
academically capable
strive for quality in work/paperwork
tried to do my best as a parent - loved my kids
not addicted to any substances - possibly addicted to exercise and conquering trails
sometimes generous
facility for languages
willing to sacrifice myself
accepting
believe that I was a pretty good mom - when chips are down, my kids will tell me that

Negative
anxious about the unknown resolution to problems
little frustrations in life pile up because I "gunny sack" as my parents did
impatient
emotionally reactive
inconsistent boundaries
not assertive enough
lack of focus
obsessed with time - never seems to be enough even though I really have a lot of down time when I'm not running
can be stingy
worry that I'm not good enough at my job, being a mom, being a wife, a friend, new social situations= wonder if I'm unlikeable as people don't seem to seek me out the way I would like
unable to stand up to bullies
somewhat of a perfectionist
too much stuff in house
procrastinate about some chores
a bit too focused on money - always anxious about it - can kind of obsess about lack of
not always observant about present circumstances - feeling bad I didn't notice that severe depression hadn't really left my daughter
self-justification/gossip - talk about negatives about others and sometimes feel pretty bad about it as I like the person in spite of what that person may have done to irritate me or hurt me
beat myself up over the weight gain or not saying just the right thing; anything I can beat myself up over I do it.  I would never feel I had the right to do that to another person!

Accomplishments/Things to Be Proud Of:

1.  Finished all schooling including a master's with a high gpa - graduated with honors.
2.  Secured decent jobs in an actual profession.
3.  Was a good mom for small kids - ate together, regular schedule, behavior charts, helped with homework, encouraged activities, had family meetings, each night was a share your feelings at dinner, tried never to yell, didn't hit my kids, made the house fun for their friends so friends were often over as I provided actual food and entertainment
4.  Have a good job - think I do a reasonable job at it
5.  Won a lifelong learning award.
6.  Was invited to a Rotary luncheon for achievement in Spanish.
7.  One of top 5 students invited to a prof's house for dinner annually.
8.  Did an amazing job at learning.
9.  Continue to learn and improve - work in progress
10  Have maintained a healthier lifestyle - weight isn't dropping fast, but I reversed the continual gain.
11  Most of the time I feel pretty positive about myself.
12 caring friend - reach out to those in need; tolerate lots of idiosynchracies
13  take good care of my pets
14.  keep a pretty regular routine
15.  house is clean but cluttered in some spots

Past and Present Resentments  (This is my Bitching Section)

Grandmother D.  Picked at me, always critical, comments like you could be so pretty if it weren't for those teeth, your nail biting, whatever it was that was wrong with me.  Worked hard to put guilt on others - "you never came to see me" no matter that I was there every single week and called several times a week.  Always gave any male that came into the house the sugar treatment.  "Go sit on the couch.  Here's the paper.  Get comfortable."  To me:  time to work.  Always moaned that women wanted to work only for a microwave.  Finally, I got so fed up I asked her if that is why she worked and did she know how cheap a microwave was?  She worked to put my dad through college and med school - a practical reason.  Most of us women in the workforce out of necessity not so much desire!

Mother:  for not standing up to my dad's unreasonable behavior, for showing me that women just need to take that kind of abuse, for always using me as her sounding board for criticizing my dad, for not listening - just droning on and on; losing everything and freaking out about it, getting anxious and passing on those anxieties about snow, losing stuff, money, everything, but especially for belittling my feelings - I was so in love with Dave.  She just called it "puppy love".  That hurt more than anything else.  As it turned out, it was my first love and my first codependent relationship.  He was so screwed up, and his life was worse than mine so I became wrapped up in him.  It was when I could still feel deeply - before the walls went up.

Father:  for never telling me I didn't anything right or good job when I was a kid.  I always felt I couldn't measure up, that I wasn't interesting, that it wasn't good that I was a girl, that I was stupid.  For never being willing to give me anything that I wanted.  I had to learn responsibility and that there were no freebies in life.  Later he told me how sorry I was that I never found an interest!  He'd walk by me on the street and not recognize me.  I felt so important.  I tried being the best at everything to get his approval, but it never happened.  For all the tantrums he would throw - breaking glasses, screaming, etc.  We all walked on eggshells as he only blew every couple of years, and we never knew when that would be.  He knocked me out of my chair when I was crying about my cat dying because I backtalked when he said "It was just a cat".  My grandmother just told me that I shouldn't have been disrespectful.  Then came the night when I finally tried to stand up for my rights, and he knocked me to the ground and was kicking and hitting me.  I didn't talk to him for a year. He seemed better when we were both older, but possibly because I was no longer living around him.  I think he wanted to be supportive or different somehow but couldn't.  I felt I had forgiven him as I was no longer actively angry.  He was always "educating" people on the trail or telling stories about his adventures (true ones but annoying anyway) so he could get admiration.  He only seemed to liked people who'd kiss up to him.  My stepmother was a master at that one.  Their cutesy little games used to make me nauseated.  He had lots of affairs and hurt my mother, but she felt that one stayed married no matter what.  The divorce hurt a lot, but I was glad to be out of that hateful atmosphere, and I think my mother grew into being almost too assertive - obnoxiously honest/direct in public at times.  I believe that aging takes away some inhibitions for sure.  For promising his mother that he'd pass on her money to us and then giving the vast majority to his wife.  She's been spending it also.  He also made a bunch of digs at my brother in the will so my brother was angry and took it out on me for a good year after dad's death - even though I had no control over dad's behavior.  I had so much pain - losing my dad was hard in spite of his faults and my brother's being a jerk in response to his probable grief but anger being unleashed was almost unbearable.  6 weeks after the death my daughter was seriously ill.  For being so damn stingy!  Arithmetic books for Xmas.  I felt so deprived that I overdid it for my kids - going into debt.  I wanted their lives to be easier, happier, better than mine.  In the end I believe making it easier might have actually made it harder for them.

God/the universe:  for letting such awful stuff happen one after the other; didn't think I'd get through it - often felt dead and couldn't see the point in this life; felt I'd be happier dead and released from this life; like my daughter I felt I/we didn't deserve it and wondered what awful thing I had done to bring such misery - one horrible thing after another


My first husband:  I thought he was an outgoing type as he was always so funny when he was living in his native country.  He drank a lot, but that was part of the culture so I didn't think too much about it except that it was annoying the times he got sick or said really weird/stupid stuff.  He became depressed when he came here and negative about absolutely everything.  I thought it would wear off.  It didn't.  He constantly criticized everything I did.  It was like my father all over again when I had sworn I'd never end up with a person like my dad.  His drinking was much worse, and he passed out every night by 8 or didn't come home "because he couldn't find the way".   He insisted on driving drunk = scared me terribly especially once our daughter was born.  When he insisted on holding her when he was falling down drunk (literally), it was frightening, but I couldn't stop him.  He would blow now and then and squeeze my face or kick holes in the wall.  I knew I would die if I stayed married so I took the kids and left.  However, my codependcy meant that I felt sorry for him also and let him take my daughter back with him for a weekend.  He would pass out and not have food in the apartment for the kids.  They watched horror shows plus my daughter had to take care of our son.  She was 5; he was 2.  He finally shaped up a bit, but it turns out he was emotionally and also physically abusive to our son.  This had to affect our daughter even though she always looked like she floated above the chaos.  **I resent most I realize as I write this was that I had to make a quick, pressured decision to marry due to the immigration status.  I might have chosen differently had I had more time.  I was almost paralyzed by decision making - probably because I felt all my choices had been wrong + no-one allowed me to control my own life when I was in my family of origin.  He also refused jobs and things if they weren't the best and left me to buy stuff for me and the kids at Goodwill, and I had to work and take care of the kids.  He didn't do anything.  When our son would bang his head against any wall after I went out that way, he'd just call his life but never get up off the couch to do anything.  I had thought I was in control, but he was doing the controlling by being manipulative and passive aggressive.  I only feel anger toward him now.  I can't even be civil.  I just want to take his head off.  I feel so defensive because he's always blaming me for everything with the kids; yet he didn't step in to be responsible.  He always let me do everything.  If I was around, he abdicated.  I really wanted to fit him into my dream of bilingual kids because I'd had to work hard to learn all the other languages and thought how great it would be for them.  The death of that dream caused so much grief. For using up all of my inheritance and sitting on the couch not working while I supported the family AND had to care for the kids, for always having to have the best and now complaining about what I do for our daughter.  He had no complaints when he was on the receiving end of all that!  What a self centered bastard.  I cannot stand listening to his whiny ass voice.  What a bully. For being so critical all the time and bringing whatever mental illness he had with him.  April 27:  I realize he is not to blame.  He was a part of it and modeled the "don't show/talk about feelings"  that is part of Japanese culture, but I believe that he also suffers from serious depression.  It's not ok to go to therapy in Japan or ask for help.  I wasn't allowed to show weakness either so I think the kids got this from both of us.  I had trouble with depression when I was younger.

Current husband:  His family always looked normal to me.  I so wanted to be part of their life.  Turns out they were possibly more screwed up than my family.  It was another case of I felt pressured to marry because of finances and medical insurance.  I then began to be distressed by his cigarette addiction and his lack of activity.  He had told me all these great things, how he wanted to do the things I liked, shared my hobbies and dreams, and it was all lies as he was sure he wanted to marry me.  I should have realized that his being left by 3 prior wives (why the hell did he have to marry almost everyone he slept with?  some old fashioned belief about taking care of the little woman? ) meant there was an issue with him also.  I knew he was a rescuer type and was always trying to save me from my own kids.  He'd butt in when he didn't even know what was going on.  I felt that he didn't think I was capable and didn't respect my ability to solve it so I'd get pissed at him for that and resentful.  The kids saw it; my son started manipulating it and turning us against each other.  It worked.  I was so angry at G. for the smoking, his getting fat, his lying about the smoking, his exaggerations  - loves the attention of telling big stories - reminds me of my dad I guess so I dislike it intensely.  He often bugs me about not having sex with him, but I lost interest in him long ago.  I just can't respect him after all this.  He is intensely negative and has a current of rage bottled up in him.  He blames the army, but I think it was his family.  His grandmother was an alcoholic, and his mother had a lot of rage and used to drink a lot also.  There's rheumatoid arthritis on her side.  Pain probably added to her poor behavior.  Her parents divorced.  Turned out dad's side had stepfathers who beat the kids so I'm sure there was temper there also although all the kids say dad was wonderful but out working.  Some days I absolutely hate him as I feel I've wasted so many years with him, but financially I can't hack it on my own and still pay for college, etc.  I had to do everything.  I would ask for help, but he would just lie there.  April 27:  He also suffers from depression and anxiety I would say.  Whenever there's a crisis, he comes through in a sane manner but other things send him over the edge easily.  My kids can count on him for any major emergency.

My daughter:  for pulling away from me and shutting me out of her world; stealing a large amount of money; wasting a year of college money, dropping out in her senior year, expecting only the best brands while I have nothing; wanting good haircuts etc. while I can't have anything for myself.  Of course, I realize this was my lack of boundaries and my feeling sorry for her for all the trauma she experienced.  Her trauma was awfully hard on me.  I feel like I can't feel pain like that anymore; then it comes rolling back.  For not showing up for appointments or answering the phone, for using drugs, for her emotional withdrawal.  Good:  she's still trying to connect for holidays - surprised me.  She's working through her issues finally.  I couldn't get her to counseling before, but when I put some boundaries/consequences in place, she hurt enough to take that step.  She was clingy child from the beginning - just not people oriented.  April 27:  She doesn't know how to deal with her feelings.  She also suffers from serious depression and turned to drugs for this.  She just didn't care anymore as all those terrible things happened to her when all she had done was work hard to do well.


My son:  for being so abusive to me, for taking all the attention and controlling the whole family with his fits and school problems, for always blaming someone else for everything; for not seeing his own good points, for never feeling good enough, for his self pity, for dropping out of high school, for not taking control of his future, for using drugs, for all the money on specialists and counseling only to not follow through with what they recommended, for his oppositional behavior and attention grabbing pretty much from day 1 - very difficult pregnancy and baby - always cranky and wouldn't sleep.  I didn't lose patience with the "angel" daughter, but my son . . . he would do things that scared like just taking off so I did occasionally spank him and told him about the bad people; then he would never leave my side.  Way overconcerned with things being unfair, was bossy, but little by little he learned to be better at friendship because to him socializing/connecting to others was all important.  Good:  he was very social and loving, generous and loyal.  April 27:  he's still difficult with his lack of coping skills - taking stuff out on others, but he's also very supportive.  He is doing better with meds and can come through.

Well, this took about an hour so I'll work more on the questions, prompts in the books again later.  I did the bio but may need to add to it.

My brother:  for telling me I'm too sensitive, for bullying me, for physical and emotional abuse when I was a kid including unlocking the bathroom and parading his friends in when I was 12 or 13 and embarrassed about my body anyway, for masturbating with his friends in front of me, for thinking it was funny to leave his pee in a crush can knowing I would drink out of it, for always feeling he could say whatever he wanted about my "poor" behavior but getting pissed if I tried to say that perhaps he had some issues also.  The same goes for my sister-in-law.  I've been bashed by them a lot.

P:  for letting me have it for no reason and taking advantage of Orcas - living on my nickel - can't believe my brother would do that for me or my kids; then trashing the place

S:  for not pursuing his dreams but then complaining about his life; not voting

G:  for acting so uncaring; if she'd just acknowledge the feeling without solving the problem it would have been ok to point out the fallacies, etc.  If she and dad would have just helped instead of needing us to come begging for it.  They knew/know we need help but just can't give it.

the hiking group:  for not stepping up to take on more responsibility; for not being committed to events; for having all their requests that I'm supposed to take into account, for all their complaints, for dropping the ball and causing me a panic attack or frustration beyond belief.

husband:  for giving up being active, smoking, getting fat, negativity; always sees the worst possible result, emotionally reactive, angry, blaming, pushing about the sex thing, for every time I say something about the fact that it's hard to find stuff in the house blowing up and saying "I give up.  I can't do anything today."  It just grates on the nerves.  He takes everything so personally even comments that aren't even generated at him.  It's just my way of blowing off steam - albeit not the best way.  I voice my frustration, but it isn't meant as an insult to any one person in the house.  We all need to improve at putting stuff back where we found it!  I will decide if I'm getting out of the relationship after the kids are gone - big stressor since they aren't his.  If we can't repair the relationship when I'm working the program, it's not going to be repaired.  He is just so damaged from his parents and from the military brainwashing.  He's so damn conservative and narrow minded that sometimes it drives me crazy.  The super loud, constant TV drives me nuts also.  The sound is intrusive, and he had told me before marriage that he liked to be active - HA!  His idea of activity is to walk between the TV and the kitchen.  He only eats crap and doesn't exercise.  He also has no boundaries - can't say no at work - works 100 hours - most of those for free.  He says he has to or lose the job, but if he'd said no I can't work those hours except in a crisis, it would have stopped.  I just hate that we can't share anything because he's in such bad shape.  My biggest fear is that he will stroke out and be disabled rather than dying outright; then I'll be in a huge financial pickle.  For spending too much money and continually running up credit cards.  I hate being in debt.

Cousin:  takes advantage, wants presents/money, announces his poverty at events and then tries to take all the leftovers; both of them are 300+ pounds and eat more than all of us but they always contribute the least.  One time the wife shoved her hands in the pot (before my son had eaten) and pulled out the 4th of July grilled hot dogs; then asked "Oh, did anyone still want some?"  They also make snide remarks, and he is just plain lewd in his comments.  Why can't any of us say something?  They need us more than we need them?  I don't want to spend time with them!  I don't like their behavior, but everyone lets it slide.  My mom always says it's for her long dead sister that she puts up with him.  One time when I had moved back in with mom, he also decided he needed a free place to stay.  My son was really ill - 104 temp + I had just bought food.  He invited some ho from Texas to spend the week with him at my mom's house.  Mom was on vacation somewhere, but they left for Canada and left towels and crap all over the house like pigs so that I had to deal with it on top of my kid's illness + they ate all my food.  I was living on student loans and paying my mom what I could and doing chores.  He contributed nothing and made a mess; then he was gone so I couldn't make them pick up.  How fing inconsiderate can one person be!

Tim Eyeman:  for making our state bankrupt so that now we have more nickle and dime taxes - what a P in the Ass!

Water/Cable etc companies - for huge increases and less service - increases that are way more than our salaries ever increase

San Juan County:  for raising taxes 300% and implementing ridiculous restrictions on the property and forcing us to try to sell property we have had for 5 generations!

Things I'm Grateful For:

1 my pets - I feel calm when I pet them
2  my family - as much as they drive me crazy, some of them would come through in a crisis - the less self centered among them that is
3  having a job that is really pretty darn decent and often enjoyable
4 having a warm, dry house
5 good books and movies
6 outdoor activities
7 a group of supportive friends
8 finding the Al-Anon program and not continuing to let myself be turned off by the God part
10 for beautiful children who I have faith will actually manage to turn out in the end
11 for still having my mom = her good points really do outweigh the bad
12 my brother - when he's being charming
13 the stars
14 the mountains
15 the sea and ocean
16 maintaining my weight - even though I'd like to also lose again - at least I'm down 30 from 3 years ago and feel healthier and better about controlling the overeating at least to some extent
17 sunsets
18 for whatever time I still have at the family cabin on Orcas
19 for Stehekin
20 healthy
21 kids aren't dead - just have not doing what I had expected - like finishing school
22 it could be so much worse - I could be living in the tsunami zone and homeless
 - there but for the grace of God
23 Kiku has been clean for 7 weeks
24  Keisuke seems to be feeling better and signed up for school in the fall
25  the sig others of my kids seem to be pretty decent people
26. I'm not bankrupt.  I have some resources that many people don't have.
27.  my hiking friends - some definitely come through and are supportive when needed
28 - my hobbies
29  still have some income
30  the calm from the lake on wonderful nights
31  the stars


People I Think I Have Harmed:

my kids - mostly by doing too much for them but also by not listening well the last few years - wallowing too much in my own pain and head

my husband - the critical side of me focused on him - I have extremely bitchy periods - he is the brunt of it.  I guess I feel safe that he won't walk away or reject me.  I believe he needs me more than I need him - at least that's my arrogant point of view.

People In General:  My dad always acted superior and patronizing which I hated.  While I do my best to treat everyone equally, I have thought bad thoughts many times and in my mind or in my gossip put down obese people, road ragers, etc.  I always call them names from my car.  I want to engage them.  I am so awful when I drive.  My dad used to scream at people and get into a rage.  He was so unsafe and frightening; now I find myself doing those things.  It is embarrassing.  It's something I feel guilt about . . .

I am not always humble.  I know I have a high IQ, visual process - this type tends to be quicker - and academic ability so I can't always comprehend why some people can't grasp a situation as quickly as I can, retain information, etc.  It's hard to have patience with some of the students - particularly the ones who are capable but Lazy but lazy.

I really get irritated by people who seem to lack self control.  For example, my husband is quite overweight and I hate how he combs over his hair - we used to make fun of that type of man when we were young - yet he's now eating 1/2 gallon of ice cream followed by a smoke - yuck.  I feel superior to him.  I know this is a fault.

However, I beat myself up and feel inferior to some people.  They somehow remind me of how my dad treated me so I feel stupid and hate feeling stupid and like I have to prove myself.  What is it about them that provokes that feeling?  that need to please/prove I'm likable?

I sometimes wonder if something I do turns people off because some of the people I'd like as friends don't seem interested in me.  I don't like to go to parties or events where I don't know people as I just can't make idle conversation easily, feel inhibited, wonder why I can't find something witty to say, why I can't be good at socializing, why I'm not as likeable as some people I would consider boring, flighty, and stupid?  dumb people seem so much happier and often do better as parents.  Everyone has their abilities, but many times I can't see through to that.  I wonder if there is something I do that is unlovable and sometimes feel too anxious about going that I don't go.  I seem to attract some needy/crazy types and just put up with their behavior even thought they're unreliable and unpredictable because no-one else can go and they have some likeable qualities.  I always felt it was accepting behavior, but I have one bipolar friend who can dump on me and be awfully abusive and completely unreliable.  I feel I'm so good for sticking by her as a friend even though she usually can't be bothered to answer or reach out when I need a friend - mostly cuz she's too wrapped up in her own stuff.

I try to hard to be a good friend, to be there if needed, to check in when I know someone's hurting.  I just don't understand why other people can't be that way - can't do what they say they will do.  I was taught to say you'd do something; then stick to that plan you made - not just dump people/activities leaving those people in the lurch just cuz something better came up.  I just don't get it.  I only cancel if an emergency comes up; even then I don't always feel I can because I'm so stuck to that commitment and so worried about how my canceling would impact others when I'm the organizer.  I feel stuck having all that responsibility, but I'm trying to stand up and say now that I need a second in charge in case I need to cancel and/or I'll just cancel the entire event.  I'm also insisting that if you back out at the last minute, you need to pay your share, find another driver, and contribute your food instead of my being the one stuck replacing all those things at the last minute.  I feel very dumped upon sometimes.  I gave up doing weekend outings for awhile because of this kind of crap - no-one felt any obligation at all, but I did.

I can't get why people don't commit to our group.  For me it's about getting out with friends - not all about the type of activity.  I can't predict the weather so if you sign up, you're signing up for the alternative activity also.  I feel like they aren't signing up as much anymore because I said they had to do something to contribute to being part of this group.  I understand how easy it is to go along for the ride so that's the meetup flake factor, but there are some serious "takers" on this site.  They don't want to give anything to it - not even drive once but yet they have the nerve to ask for special changes.  I just need to be tough and NOT respond to that - just state don't like it don't have to go, but I so fear they'll leave the group, but of course that would be good because if they aren't really seeing themselves as a part of the group, it's no good for me anyhow.

Codependent Behaviors:

Peace at any Price - put up with a lot of abuse so I wouldn't rock someone's boat or have to deal with their emotions
resentful about spending all my money and time on others:  used to feel a reward for being loving, but the last few years I just feel resentment - want to be selfish
pain that kids didn't meet expectations of finishing school and going on to successful careers - actually rather embarrassing to me at first; getting beyond that, but I still felt grief and all its stages
nagging/reminding
do things others could do for themselves such as make appointments - embarrassing when they don't show up
resent the whole Christmas crap - it was fun when others were involved - now I just have to do all the work and have none of the fun - just plain sick of it so I get angry every Christmas now

Things I Feel Guilty About:

1.  losing my temper - especially with my child - I apologize each time - it doesn't happen often, but I think it's a result of gunnysacking and then feeling resentful
2.  I feel an obligation to return gifts or favors.  I guess I am learning about "pay it forward" and being better about accepting someone doing something nice for me even when I haven't thought about doing something for that person or have been unable to do something.
3.  If I've been upset about something someone did and badmouthed them for it as often I really like that person in spite of hurtful or negative things.
4.  That I can't honestly tell certain people how I feel about what they do for fear of their reaction.  I am giving them control; that bothers me.  I tend to avoid conflict or anything that I think might hurt someone even though I really don't like being around that person. 

My Values:

1.  I am against breaking the law except minor things like speeding or marijuana.  I guess that would mean that I don't break the laws I feel aren't stupid.  I don't want to pay the consequences, though, so I don't even usually break those other than to go 5 miles or so over the speed limit.
2.  I want to be helpful and supportive to my friends and family.  I would like this to be in a healthy way now.
3.  I believe in earning what I get and feel obligated to return favors.  However, I do think the "pay it forward" principal is reasonable.

I will now answer the questions as posed in "Paths to Recovery":

1.  Am I willing to look honestly at myself?  What stands in my way?  Yes, because life had become so overwhelming that I knew something had to change in order for me to survive.  What would stand in my way would be pride and embarrassment for being needy.  I have left most of that behind.  I actually believe that looking honestly at my self will relieve me of the pain of beating myself up, guilty for things I haven't done wrong, all those feelings can be lifted as I begin to question, listen, and learn to grow again.  I feel I've been stagnating for years just on coping and survival mode.  Those ways of coping were failing.  I needed friends and a support system.  I still like my alone time, but I'm more willing to make time for looking inward and filling my soul with something good.  I was frightened of the emptiness, the feeling that I just no longer cared.  I'm sure there's some element of depression even though I don't feel sadness most of the time.

2.  Have I sought help from my Higher Power?  my sponsor?  other Al-Anon members?  I still haven't figured out the sponsor, but I have been asking for guidance about whom to ask.  I did finally make a couple of calls to members and somehow need to squeeze out the time to do that every week.  It may help me find a sponsor also.  I feel my higher power telling me to do this step.  I feel so busy and stressed, but I think it is what I need to do.

3.  What suggestions have I tried?  I have followed the codependents and other Al-Anon book to start with positive, add some negative, talk about resentments

4.  Do I understand the spiritual principle of an inventory?  I believe in spirit as in soul and the fact that I am part of the universe.  I am looking at my whole being.  Otherwise, I guess I don't even understand the question meaning that maybe I don't understand what I'm being asked.

5.  What do "searching" and "fearless" mean to me?  It means to me that I must have the courage to really look at myself and try to see everything and get it out in the light even though it means I have to face the pain to do that.

6.  What does a "moral inventory" mean?  I think it means looking at the code of ethics that underlies all my decisions.

Next part of this:

1.  In what ways am I caring?  How do I empathize with other people?  Am I kind to myself?  Am I kind to the elderly?  Children?  My family?  My friends?  Those in need of my assistance?  Am I agreeable and courteous?

I try to reach out and at least ask how things are going when I know someone is having a difficult time.  I know that if I'm hurting, just having someone show that they are thinking of me at that time is helpful.  I feel supported.  Even if I can't do more than that or send a little card or gift, I still feel I care.  I also think about what will happen to others.  I used to get so wrapped up in others that their pain was my pain.  That is not the case anymore.  Sometimes I even wonder if I have become unfeeling or if I have just become healthier.  I feel super self centered at times.  If they're having an experience I've had, I can completely understand.  Sometimes I can just imagine how I would feel.  I do my best to stay in the moment and think about the gist of their experience.  I was offering advise and solutions, but now I just try to listen and sometimes talk about my experience in case something about that is helpful.  I'm moving myself away from solving problems and fixing everything because I know how much that irritates me when my husband doesn't listen but just barks out ways to fix it.  That is very action oriented but not really feeling oriented or respectful as it doesn't give the person a chance to reflect and find their own path.

Am I kind to myself and others?  To others I try to at least be polite and courteous - except sometimes when driving or if someone pushes me just too far.  I don't think I've always been very kind to my husband.  I know I haven't been kind to myself as I was constantly beating myself up and blaming myself for every single bad thing that happened to us.  I am trying to stop that self talk now by substituting slogans or repeating the word "serenity" and reminding myself to be grateful for what I have and try to let the worries go.  Progress not Perfection.  I am trying to mean what I say and say what I mean as without healthy boundaries, my children suffer.

2.  How am I tolerant?  I feel that I am accepting of other lifestyles unless that lifestyle is one of intolerance.  I am intolerant of intolerance - seems an oxymoron.  I do not feel that I judge others for different lifestyles, but I must admit I don't like the octomoms and religious zealots out there.  I accept others' faults much more easily than I accept my own - or my husband's for that matter.  I am hard on both of us but not so on others.  I guess that I am not completely tolerant as I have decided to wipe a couple of people out of my life because I can't deal with their snide remarks in the guise of humor or their dysfunction anymore.  I let them abuse me; then complained.  It seemed better just to have them out of my life.  I did confront Becky in the nicest possible way; she blew up.  I haven't confronted my cousin and his wife - just wiped her off my FB - classic conflict avoidance I suppose.

3.  Am I open to another's point of view?  This one can be hard for me if it's a painful truth.  I have always listened.  Sometimes I'm not sure if that's good or not as sometimes I listen and then absorb the nasty message.  However, I have found that truth comes when I don't expect it or possibly even accept it at first so I am learning to keep an open mind.  I always thought I had an open mind, but when I look closely at my reactions, I realize that I don't always.  I have sometimes misinterpreted an opinion as criticism when actually the person was speaking a truth that I wasn't ready to accept.

4.  Do I listen in meetings and accept that others have needs different from mine?  I have always been a courteous listener.  It really bothers me when people don't listen to the person speaking.  Sometimes I interrupt conversations but never meetings.  I understand that what works for me is not always helpful or useful to someone else.  My issues may not be exactly the same.  I am finding that I can learn from an unexpected source if I keep myself open and listening.  I have to admit that sometimes I can't focus well as I'm so exhausted or in an emotional state, but I do at least remain respectfully quiet.  I must say that the Wed. meeting drove me a bit nutty at times because people there don't stay on task and talk far too long - control and dominate the conversation, and no-one spoke up about it.  I was brand new to the Al-Anon experience and didn't feel it was my right.  I often won't express any controversial opinion in a group.  I just don't do well with what might come back.  It's a big fear.

5.  Do I practice patience with a newcomer?  Yes.  I have reached out to a newcomer by phone.  I have also done my best to act welcoming and answer any questions I can.

6.  How am I trustworthy?  do I pay my bills?  Am I prompt?  Do I fulfill my commitments?  Do I act responsible in my job?  How much can my family and friends depend on me?  I am completely trustworthy.  I go overboard on this one, but lately I have given myself permission to cancel or change something if I don't feel up to it.  I do everything on time.  I am responsible at work, though I have sloughed off a bit at this school.  At least I feel like I could do more - I get too wrapped up in personal issues.

7.  How am I honest?  Do I tell the whole truth?  In not, what stops me from telling the truth?  I think of myself as quite honest, but if something will hurt someone or I worry about it not being accepted by someone I don't know well, I will hide the whole truth.  I also won't say my completely true feelings if I can't find a kind way to do so.

8.  In what ways to I take care of myself?  do I make needed medical appointments?  Do I dress appropriately?  Do I eat healthy food?  Exercise?  meditate?  I do all of these, but I don't make time for meditation.  This is an area that needs work.  I need to carve out quiet time.  I do my reading and feel some answers that way, but it is not completely meditation.

9.  How am I respectful?   Do I take care of material things, whether mine or others?  Do I show respect for the law?  I do both of these things.  I try not to be rude to others and to listen more to their truth.

10.  How am I generous?  Do I contribute to my group?  To the WSO triannual appeal?  Have I contributed by volunteering to be a trusted servant?  I contribute and volunteer for tasks at meetings.  Eventually, I will carve out some time to do a bit more such as help with potlucks.

11.  In what ways do I look for the good in others?  I am working on looking for commonality with others.  I trust people and tend to believe they are good rather than bad.  I don't search out the negatives.

12.  How am I kind?  am I considerate of other people?  Do I listen patiently to a friend in need?  Do I offer help when asked?  do I think to point out the good in others?   I feel considerate.  I'm not always patient, but I try to listen when someone is in crisis.  My time obsession tends to be somewhere, and my focus is not what it was.  I can do better about noticing the good of others.  I try to make comments that are true so it is a real compliment rather than contrived.

13.  How do I open myself up to others?  I will talk about situations and put myself out there in terms of meeting new people.  I look for what is common and try to develop that for a relationship.

14.  How am I practical?  do I have a budget?  How often do I recognize what needs to be done and then do my share?  I don't do well with consistency in terms of budgeting.  I try to keep an eye on expenditures - doing a bit better.  I do what I see needs to be done at home, work, Al Anon.

15.  How am I dependable?  How often do I meet work deadlines?  do I organize well and carry out what I decide to do?  I meet deadlines always - compulsive about that.  I can organize and carry out.  I can't always stick with a new plan.

16.  What are my talents?  Do I have artistic gifts?  Do I beautify my surroundings?  Do I have mechanical skills?  Languages, music - didn't really develop it or the talent the art teacher saw in me.  I can organize events and bring people together.

17.  Do I have trouble with intimate relationships?  Why or why not?  I would say that I do.  I have good friends, but I often see them go off together rather than choosing to be with me.  I am not sure why.  I don't do well with marriage.  Perhaps I like being alone too much.  Perhaps I like to be in charge too much.  Perhaps I just don't listen enough.  Perhaps I am too busy with my own life.

18.  In what ways do I express myself clearly and concisely?  I am working on this area.

19.  How do I see the humor in life and express it?  I tend to take things a bit too seriously, but I still try to see humor and enjoy it.  I can laugh myself into the ground and have tears rolling out.  I can even be funny.  Sometimes I get onto a roll and can be entertaining.

20.  How am I optimistic?  Hope never completely disappears.  I never give up.  I am learning to choose to make it a good day.

21.  How do I practice my faith in a HP?  In myself?  In others?  How do I share my faith?  Do I have an attitude of gratitude?  I am working to let go and admit I can't control events/life.  It is up to my HP.  I have been telling others about my new philosophy and listening to their ideas.  I have been watching more religious shows and taking what I lick from them.  I realize how fortunate I really am and try to remember to thank my HP every time something great happens and at least once every single day.

22.  How am I humble?  Do I ask God for guidance and follow it to the best of my ability?  When have I allowed others to share their wisdom with me?  Do I ever admit mistakes?  How patient am I with myself?  Yes.  I ask God to help me determine how best to handle a situation.  I try to be quiet and listen and follow that inner voice.  I listen to others talk about how they live their lives.  I admit mistakes even more than I used to.  Before I would get a bit defensive, but I am working on not explaining or justifying what I do but just admitting I'm not perfect.  I would love to be better immediately but realize it will take all my life.  I can't force learning.

Liabilities:

1.  In what ways am I resentful?  do I harbor grudges?  I have harbored grudges against people who were rude to me.  I have let most of that go, but once in awhile, old anger boils up such as against Brent Klein or my father - people I feel were dishonest and unfair in their treatment of me.  I resent the rich because I secretly want to be one of them.  I resent people with happy families who do normal things like attend graduations.  I have mostly let these go, but I still find myself a little sad now and then and unable to celebrate for those people without that little feeling of why not me coming out.

2.  Whom do I resent from my past?  Why?  What was my part in it?  My part:  I usually did not speak up for myself.  I just became depressed and defeated.  I allowed those attitudes to take over and felt broken.

3.  Do I resent authority figures?  Why?  What is my part in it?  Not usually, but I do find myself resenting bad drivers - particularly those with nice cars.  I realize I am jealous of those appearing to be more materially successful than I. 

4.  Do I resent places or things?  Why?  What is my part in it?  I have come to resent our property on Orcas for all that it costs and all the problems that it continues to present.  I loved it, but I want to be done now.  I'm not sure what my part is - attitude I guess.  I could choose to see it as FOGs, but the expenditures are killing me.  I thought it was going to save me, but problems come up at the last minute and I have to pray hard that it will be resolved so I can be free.

5.  When do I judge other people harshly and resent their not doing what I think I should?  Traffic situations.  People who don't seem to commit to any activity - just drop when something comes along that's better than what they planned to do with me.  I dislike disloyalty and not being dependable.   I also get pissed when my husband drops the ball on things I asked him to do like pick up the guitar for my son etc.  I get even angrier when I see him go back to his addictions as cigarettes stink plus cigarettes and cokes are a waste of money.  The cokes exaccerbate his nasty moods also.  I have to work hard to practice live and let live.  He has good points.  It's just not a good marriage.  I feel stuck with someone who lied about sharing my passions with me.  I don't share his now either - just not interested in standing around waiting for a fish or killing animals.  I harbor so much resentment.  I know it doesn't help me.  It's important to deal with this!  I also resent my kids for not going through school and getting jobs.  I feel like we can't do things like travelling as they take all the money.  I let that happen.  I contributed by rescuing them too much.

6.  Do I hold everyone and everything to an impossible standard of ideal perfection?  No.  I think I may be unrealistic about what to expect from my husband, but I have just said as long as the kids are self supporting, I do not expect them to be what I had hoped for myself.

7.  How do I judge myself?  I have been very harsh with myself.  I was taught to be highly critical.

8.  Am I fearful?  What do I fear?  I don't think so, but I think perhaps I fear that someone I really loved would abandon me and so I don't allow myself to get that close.

9.  Am I dishonest?  Am I holding secrets?  Do I lie rather than "cause a scene"?  What dishonestly have I hidden from others?  Usually not.  I think sometimes I am not completely open due to lack of courage rather than lying or holding secrets.

10.  Do I feel sorry for myself?  Am I filled with self pity?  How do I feel I have been made a victim?  What is my part in it?  I let myself get depressed and feel sorry for myself.  I felt I had a "kick me" stamp on my forehead, but I realize now that I put it there.  I let myself feel broken and defeated because I had expectations of life being some kind of rose garden.  I just didn't understand that it would always be full of problems and chores.  It is what it is.  I am coming to terms with accepting that.

11.  Am I a fixer?  do I like to be in charge?  do I get upset when I can't win?  What consequences have I had from taking care of others instead of myself?  Yes.  The consequences of fixing things for others is that now they can't function on their own.  I took that away from them.  I thought it was my job as a mom.

12.  In what ways do I trust myself in dealing with others?  Do I go to safe places?  Do I remove myself from potentially dangerous situations even if it's in my own home?  I am safe.  I am doing better about listening to my gut.  If it says a person is not healthy for me, I am disengaging.

13.  In what ways am I comfortable with my own sexuality?  Do I enjoy sex?  If I am having sexual difficulties, do I know why?  Have I sought professional help?  I used to.  Now I prefer pleasuring myself because it doesn't involve all the work.  I think I am just so disappointed and angry about the bad marriage that I don't want to be intimate.  I have no desire.  I know this is one of the things I need to work on when I go back to counseling - finding out why I'm no longer interested.

14.  Do I have a God of love or a God of fear in my life?  How can I change my attitude toward my HP?  I used to see God as a source of shame and guilt - a punisher for sins.  I have changed to a loving God and keep that in mind in my relationship with him.

15.  Do I take on responsibilities that are not mine?  Why or why not?  Working on not doing this anymore.  It doesn't help others.

16.  Do I do for others what they can do for themselves?  Why?  I did.  I thought it was helping them and doing what was right for them.  I know better now.

17.   Do I feel responsible for someone else's learning, marriage, or sobriety?  Why?  I did.  I guess I thought I could control what happened and not feel such anxiety if I could fix everything.  I know now that it is not my life to live.