| Taking an Inventory | |
By Tex B. Posted Nov. 16, 1999
The purpose of taking an inventory is to discover and accept as much truth about one's thinking and behavior as you can.
A new member usually is starting the Steps as the result of a crisis in their life that has broken down their system of rationalizations and lies and they are temporarily open to accepting the truth about themselves and their situation.
This is "hitting bottom," and the result is the "pink cloud" or "free ride" of new AA. The ego is knocked out and is not functioning, but this is only temporary. If the new member can look at themselves before the ego regenerates and shuts off the ability to see themselves, then the Program can get started.
If there is no attempt to look at oneself before the ego take over, then not much will happen. The Fourth Step should be started as soon as possible.
Tex B., known to many as "TEXBRO" passed away October 5, 2000. He was 81 years old, with 53 years continuous sobriety. Until three weeks before his death, Tex shared his considerable experience, strength, and hope with visitors to the Alcoholism Forum at About.com. Some of those messages are archived here to benefit those of us he left behind, and those will who will in the future find their way into the rooms.
