Step Six - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
From: Paths To Recovery - pg 65 (copyright 1997, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
The key principle of Step Six is readimess. If we believe we are ready but are procrastinating, we need to consider each character defect more closely to see what is stopping us. In most cases we can find several factors that block us from being entirely ready. A longtime member of Al-Anon suggests that, by closely reading, studying and understanding Step Six, some members begin to understand the spiritual basis of this Step. As discussed in Steps ne, Two and Three, we learned that we couldn't handle the disease of alcoholism, we acknowledged that the God of our understanding could and that we would let him. Without true unconditional acceptance of Step three, the action of Step Six is impossible.
Love - Dot
dawg said
Aug 23, 2005
I have tried will power, fortitude, knowledge, and sheer determination. That's the humility part. I can not do this on my own--I need help. I keep trying to control the future. And it does not work.
I am ready, right now, this instant, to allow my higher power to help me.
John said
Aug 25, 2005
When we come of age, we can do many things that were forbidden of us in our younger days... but we we come of age in step 6 and 7, we get to do less, and practice trusting God more...
When I place myself in Gods hands, it frees me up to be present and available to someone else...
John
storeclerk said
Oct 3, 2005
I was very confused about HOW to work step 6. As time went on and with the aid of a sponsor it became more clear to me. Step 6 and 7 work together for me. After completing step 4 & 5 I had a clear understanding of who I was and what I needed to work on. Namely removing the character defects. Reading the steps told me that I had to be willing to let go of the defects. I couldnt do it myself,,,,,God had to do it for me.
So how does God do this???? Let me give you an example of how it worked with me.
When I completed my step 4 & 5 I wrote a list of all the things that I did not like about myself. The defects or (survival skills) that no longer served me. Then I wrote a list of what positive traits I could use to replace those defects. I was willing to change what I can in me to live a healthier serene life. Now I know that *I* could not remove those defects but that HP or God could. How exactly does the HP in my life do that? Well,,,,, HP gives me awareness. I would catch myself resorting to those defects from time to time. I then would make the choice.....NO...I am NOT going to do that. I will behave in a positive manner. My HP would present me with the situation and I had to take the action. As I continued to pay attention to what was put before me, doing the next right thing became a natural behavior.
I couldnt do it all in one day. HP was teaching me to be patient with myself all the while. I will never be perfect. Its like bobbing for apples. As I feel one defect is sinking another one appears to float. I am a work in progress. I call it growing.
I have tried will power, fortitude, knowledge, and sheer determination. That's the humility part. I can not do this on my own--I need help. I keep trying to control the future. And it does not work.
I am ready, right now, this instant, to allow my higher power to help me.
When we come of age, we can do many things that were forbidden of us in our younger days... but we we come of age in step 6 and 7, we get to do less, and practice trusting God more...
When I place myself in Gods hands, it frees me up to be present and available to someone else...
John
I was very confused about HOW to work step 6. As time went on and with the aid of a sponsor it became more clear to me. Step 6 and 7 work together for me. After completing step 4 & 5 I had a clear understanding of who I was and what I needed to work on. Namely removing the character defects. Reading the steps told me that I had to be willing to let go of the defects. I couldnt do it myself,,,,,God had to do it for me.
So how does God do this???? Let me give you an example of how it worked with me.
When I completed my step 4 & 5 I wrote a list of all the things that I did not like about myself. The defects or (survival skills) that no longer served me. Then I wrote a list of what positive traits I could use to replace those defects. I was willing to change what I can in me to live a healthier serene life. Now I know that *I* could not remove those defects but that HP or God could. How exactly does the HP in my life do that? Well,,,,, HP gives me awareness. I would catch myself resorting to those defects from time to time. I then would make the choice.....NO...I am NOT going to do that. I will behave in a positive manner. My HP would present me with the situation and I had to take the action. As I continued to pay attention to what was put before me, doing the next right thing became a natural behavior.
I couldnt do it all in one day. HP was teaching me to be patient with myself all the while. I will never be perfect. Its like bobbing for apples. As I feel one defect is sinking another one appears to float. I am a work in progress. I call it growing.
Just my ESH