Steps By The Big Book

[bluidkiti]

STEP 2 Written Inventory

Step 2 Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.


Consider these questions, which are borrowed from meetings and recovery literature. Add your own as appropriate. Consider responding in detail with specific examples, rather than rote yes's or no's.


Insanity
What is my understanding of my own sanity and insanity? [The Big Book authors define sanity as sane and sound. (69: 2) Insanity is a lack of proportion, of the ability to think straight (37: 1), and an appalling lack of perspective. (5: 5)]
-
-


What things have I repeatedly done that move me toward my own destruction?
-
-


How has my life been out of balance? Have I lacked perspective? How and when?
-
-


In what ways does my insanity say that things outside myself can make me whole or fix all my problems?
-
-


Came to believe
What does the phrase came to believe, mean to me? (59: 2) What do I believe in?
-
-


Do I have blocks that make it hard for me to believe in a higher power? What are they?
-
-


What are my negative thoughts, feelings, attitudes or beliefs that block my spirituality?
-
-


Higher Power
What is a power greater than myself?

What are my grievances against a higher power?
-
-
What is the evidence that a higher power is working in my life?
-
-


What are the characteristics my higher power does NOT have?
-
-
-
-
-


What characteristics DOES my higher power have? [If you choose, you can use this understanding of higher power as a beginning for now.]
-
-
-
-
-


Restored to sanity
What type of sanity is Step 2 referring to?
-
-


Where in my life do I need sanity now?
-
-


How have I sought help from a higher power today?
-
-


Who do I know who is recovering well? What are they doing that is working?
-
-


Have I sought help from my sponsor, gone to meetings, and reached out to other recovering alcoholics? What were the results?
-
-


Have I used a meeting or the fellowship as a higher power? What happened?


pp. 28-29