“Through the process of taking inventory, we gain insight into our actions. We learn to recognize our motives and avoid rationalizing, minimizing, or justifying our behavior.”

– Life with Hope, third edition, page 48

What made me so close-minded? Why did I have so many resentments? Maybe it was my marijuana addiction. When I started taking inventory of my life, I was amazed to discover that I had played a role in many of the situations and relationships that I was still harboring resentments and fears about. Smoking marijuana had dulled my self-awareness and made blaming others and running away from life easier. When I was actively using marijuana, not only was I powerless over my frequency of use, but I was also increasingly powerless over my emotions and reactions.

As I stayed clean for a while, I started gaining some self-control over these things. If I were to put marijuana to my mouth, that powerlessness would quickly return. The insights into my motives and behaviors that I gain from taking inventory of my life have resulted in emotional and spiritual growth. This growth enables me to stay clean, deal with life on life’s terms, and even help others by sharing my experience, strength, and hope.

Final thought: Today, I will take inventory of my motives and admit when I am rationalizing, minimizing, or justifying my behavior.