SELF INVENTORY: A ROADMAP (Post156)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

POST 156

As one man is pleased with improving his farm, another his horse, so I am daily pleased in growing better.
Socrates

Last month, I finished the January GRM Blog with a challenge:

How could we be, by next year at resolution time, if we responded to ourselves - our mistakes, foibles, misgivings, and general self-concept – with such inwardly directed spiritual qualities? Yes, of course, we need to admit our mistakes and be responsible for them … that’s accepting realty and making amends… As this year moves along, try this. My guess is that the more we treat ourselves with these spiritual “fruits” (love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control) the more natural it will be to treat others as well.

How is it going? Sometimes, I ask myself, am I my worst enemy or my best friend?

In terms of this year-long quest for spiritual discovery/recovery, the above invitation strikes a positive note: treat yourself well spiritually. So often, we hear the advice to put physical wellness as a # 1 priority. I’m not disagreeing! This is not a contest! One can work on both aspects of wellness at the same time. So where do we start?

Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon both follow the 12 Steps of Recovery as do many other recovery self-help organizations and treatment centers. My finding is that the 12 Steps are both a very practical and spiritual guide to recovery. Particularly, Steps 2, 3, 7, and 11 speak of a power greater than the individual for help in recovery. Prayer, meditation, and turning one’s will and life over are mentioned among other spiritual practices. Still, the very basic step of making Step 4’s self- inventory (a moral and financial one) provides time for the individual to seek the truth about her/himself. No doubt that within this project, there will arise starting-point opportunities for spiritual recovery.

Where then, is a good beginning for a spiritual inventory? Returning to January’s challenge, start with those spiritual fruits as goals. Here are my suggestions to create your own goal-setting with this listing.

1. List each of the spiritual fruits and - in your own words (dictionary help is ok too) - define and describe each one as they pertain to you, specifically. Now you’ll know more of what you are aiming to achieve.

2. Consider #1(above) as your ultimate goal. Determine sub-goals to be worked toward and achieved prior to reaching each ultimate “fruit”. Two or three sub-goals can be more workable than expecting the ultimate goal to be immediately attained.

3. Working gradually gives you time to adjust to more spiritual levels of responses. You probably will find that by doing so, a number of these fruits will come together in this process.

Secondly, as you work toward your goals, utilize prayer as your companion-tool. A number of years ago, I created a prayer guide for working through the 12 Steps (Topics for Praying the 12 Steps for Persons Impacted by Problem and Compulsive Gambling). Below is the listing of topics for Step 4.

Step 4: I am making a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of myself.

Topics

· help in looking at myself honestly and in being thorough in creating my personal inventory, including both positive and negative attributes

· help in viewing an accurate personal accounting of my gambling* experiences

· help not to get overwhelmed when accounting for my failures**

· for affirmation of God’s forgiveness – even for my transgressions

· for encouragement in my recovery efforts even though my inventory listing may appear discouraging

Notes: * and/or other situations in my life; ** and mistakes

One more reminder about creating a personal inventory: Make it fearless !! By doing so – and keeping the inventory updated – you will be cutting through denial, thus eliminating a huge stumbling block for any progress to be made.

Here is a final word on personal inventories: guard against shame! Too often, we can get overbearing as memories of our mistakes, failures, and omissions - by thought, word, and deed - are reviewed. The point of creating the personal (and again, fearless) inventory is not to point that scolding finger at ourselves. Rather, as Socrates said, the goal is to grow better!

I pray that in working through your inventories, you will begin to give realistic credit to where it honestly belongs … thereby taking steps and following the roadmap toward patience, kindness, and gentleness to yourselves!

As promised, the following are helpful resources for spiritual discovery/recovery.

Gamblers Anonymous A Day at a Time, Hazelden. Also, check with Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office: (213)386-8789 for availability

One Day at a Time, Discovering the Freedom of 12 Step Spirituality by Trevor Hudson, Upper Room Books, Nashville, TN

The Twelve Steps for Everyone … who really wants them by Jerry Hirschfield, Ph.D., Hazelden, Center City, MN

Shame: A Faith Perspective by Robert H. Albers, Ph.D., The Haworth Pastoral Press, New York, London

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761

For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit: