“We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past.” (Chapter 6, Big Book)
“If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about yourself.” (Chapter 5, ibid.)
Writing a detailed Step Four and getting input on the detail during the process rewires my mind. There is simply not time to cover the detail adequately in a single Step Five conversation.
I proceeded from my first Step Five relieved but with my world of perception and interpretation largely intact.
On the other hand, in a single Step Five conversation, a broad overview helps right-size the past and me, hence the relief.
This is why I practise and advocate both a sponsor’s close involvement in the Step Four writing process and running through a summary in Step Five with a few trusted AA friends.
In this way, both rewiring and right-sizing can be achieved.