When we retire at night, we constructively review our day.
- This need not be at night
- Some people do a more effective review at the end of the working day or mid-evening
- Still others do a more effective review first thing in the morning
- This is a brief meditation
- It is not a written review
- It is a communion with God
- If writing down answers helps, do it
- If writing down corrective measures helps, do it
- But don't feel guilty if you don't
- This is a constructive review, not a self-destructive analysis
- The purpose is to learn what to believe, think, and do differently tomorrow
Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid?
- This is not an invitation to analysis but to confession
- If we have resented
- Withdraw the demand
- Forgive the person
- If we have been selfish or dishonest
- Make a plan for how to set the situation right the next day
- If we have been afraid
- Identify what action we need to take in the situation
- Plan to take it
- Withdraw the attachment to the outcome
- Then turn the situation over to God
- Only if something persists for a few days or is particularly novel or grave should more analysis be performed
- If that is the case, set aside separate time to do this
- Use the Step Four instructions for the deeper analysis
- Do not muddy this meditation with laborious self-analysis
Do we owe an apology?
- If so, make a note of whom to apologise to and for what
- Resolve to schedule the conversation
Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?
- Make a note of the topic
- Resolve to schedule the conversation
Were we kind and loving toward all?
- A simple list of the examples will do
- No analysis necessary
What could we have done better?
- Be specific
Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?
- Take these questions together
- They contain the ideal:
- Think of what we can do for others
- Think of what we can pack into the stream of life
- Practise doing these two things
But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.
- This whole exercise should not take more than a few minutes
- If it takes longer, fine
- But if you get worried or remorseful or start engaging in morbid reflection, stop
- Ask for God's forgiveness
- Make a list of corrective measures
- If you have doubts about any of these corrective measures, ask your sponsor