P. 64: Though our decision was vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.
This important paragraph tells me when to start Step Four and why I should be excited about it. Included in Step Four are tools to show how previous AAs rid themselves of resentment and fear (pp 67 & 68). Also, explains the tools they used to bring about realization of the nature of their selfishness and dishonesty (pp. 69 & 70).
Next paragraph: Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory. This was Step Four. A business which takes no regular inventory usually goes broke. Taking commercial inventory is a fact-finding and a fact-facing process. It is an effort to discover the truth about the stock-in-trade. One object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get rid of them promptly and without regret. If the owner of the business is to be successful, he cannot fool himself about values.
. Usually goes broke: Yup! I was usually broke by Monday morning.
. Searching = fact-finding
. Fearless = fact facing
. Moral = truthful
Thank you Joe & Charlie!
I notice this paragraph mentions the disclosure of damaged and unsalable goods, but it doesn't say anything about disclosing all the good an wonderful things about me. I think that is a shame; I could have written a pretty large and interesting book about all my wonderful features - might have made a lot of money! Oh well, it's too late now. I guess I should have read the 12 x 12, but my sponsor made me stick with AAs basic text: the Big Book. But then perhaps he knew best. I would rather be poor and happy than a rich ego maniac with an inferiority complex.