First I would like to apologize for the lateness of this step.I have been sick.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Carefully reading the first five proposals we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last. Is our work solid so far? Are the stones properly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar without sand?
If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six.BB pgs 75 - 76
For me to be entirely ready means that even though I don't see them as that bad that for me to progress in this program to make spiritual progress, to remain clean I need to make changes in my life and these defects didn't fit any longer.
I know that I thought that I was entirely ready but when it came down to it there were many defects that I couldn't let go of at the time.I had worked the first 5 steps to the best of my ability at the time.Looking at the list from my 5th step yes these defects I was entirely ready to have God remove.Most of the items in my first 5th step were using activities nothing real nothing with meaning most of the items on the step I only did while intoxicated.But my issues/defects ran much deeper the things I did while clean.This is a program of spiritual progress not spiritual perfection.To me that means thesessteps aren't done once and finished (though through being rigorous with the steps and practicing rigorous honesty, we do get to a place of working the maintenance steps).Through growth in the program I learned more of my defects and went back to steps 4 & 5 thus leading again to step six.Again I was faced with being entirely ready to have God remove these defects.And again I was ready to the best of my ability at the time.By at the time I mean where my spiritual program was at at the time.The stronger my spiritual program the closer to entirely ready I am to have God remove these defects.
And the wonderful thing about the 6th step is we don't actually have to get rid of the defects we just need to be entirely ready.Wait for step 7.
yogijan said
Feb 13, 2012
The first time I worked the steps I remember my sponsor asking me what step i was on. I kept saying step 6. I really believed that you would work through each step to completion and arrive. I'm over that notion now. We continue to grow (or we go as they say). I am also a recovering perfectionist. My sponsor alerted me to the line from the 12 & 12 'in no way does he render us white as snow...' we have to take action and be willing to do it differently. for me, it requires me getting out of my tendency to be selfish & self-centered and go to meetings, be willing to make coffee, to get on my knees & asking my HP for help throughout my day and getting on my knees at night and saying thanks, to help others. My sponsor is an important part of my recovery as she is like a mirror to me as I don't always see myself very clearly. There are times I've had to prayer for willingness to be willing, for example to be willing to be willing to let go of a resentment.
Fyne Spirit said
Mar 1, 2012
Hi All, It is said that this is a simple program for complicated people. It really is simple, but must be seen in the context of an individual working systematically through the steps. For me, on completion of my fifth, my sponsor sent me away for a two days to contemplate the progress thus far just as Dan describes above. The effect of the fifth was profound and as I read the Big book section on 5 and 6 I realized that it was describing exactly how I felt, especially really feeling the presence of my creator for the first time. I came to AA an agnostic and sceptic, but now I had a strong conviction not only that the Book was true, but also of the existence of a supreme being. It was such a powerful emotional and spiritual time I wonder if this was my first spiritual experience. This had come as a result of the steps taken to date, and I remember thinking that nothing was more important or worthwhile than me continuing with the rest of the steps in their entirety. Right at that time I was entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
God bless, Mike.
Isurrender said
Mar 20, 2012
Dear Yogijan:
Thanks for the reminder to pray to be willing to be willing. I feel so rebellious and stubborn at times. This time round, instead of putting my focus and energy into productive activities that would help my business grow, I am holding onto this hugh resentment towards the man I asked to be my business partner. He agreed, then changed his mind and later left the country. How can I let someone half way around the world still dominate my thinking. It's insane. Why is it so hard to admit my part in it which were my self seeking motives. I was trying to create the perfect life FOR ME. He called a couple of months ago and said he will come see me this summer. I'm excited and confused about that. I surely do not want to set myself up for another betrayal. Like Joel Osteen says, I want to be a victor and not a victim. As long as I hold onto the resentment and blame, I am choosing to be a victim and to remain stuck. Lord, please help me become ready to have you remove my defects of character. Please help me to be willing to be willing. Why? Because the way I'm running my business right now is not working.
Step 6 AA
First I would like to apologize for the lateness of this step. I have been sick.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Carefully reading the first five proposals we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last. Is our work solid so far? Are the stones properly in place? Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation? Have we tried to make mortar without sand?
If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six. BB pgs 75 - 76
For me to be entirely ready means that even though I don't see them as that bad that for me to progress in this program to make spiritual progress, to remain clean I need to make changes in my life and these defects didn't fit any longer.
I know that I thought that I was entirely ready but when it came down to it there were many defects that I couldn't let go of at the time. I had worked the first 5 steps to the best of my ability at the time. Looking at the list from my 5th step yes these defects I was entirely ready to have God remove. Most of the items in my first 5th step were using activities nothing real nothing with meaning most of the items on the step I only did while intoxicated. But my issues/defects ran much deeper the things I did while clean. This is a program of spiritual progress not spiritual perfection. To me that means theses steps aren't done once and finished (though through being rigorous with the steps and practicing rigorous honesty, we do get to a place of working the maintenance steps). Through growth in the program I learned more of my defects and went back to steps 4 & 5 thus leading again to step six. Again I was faced with being entirely ready to have God remove these defects. And again I was ready to the best of my ability at the time. By at the time I mean where my spiritual program was at at the time. The stronger my spiritual program the closer to entirely ready I am to have God remove these defects.
And the wonderful thing about the 6th step is we don't actually have to get rid of the defects we just need to be entirely ready. Wait for step 7.
The first time I worked the steps I remember my sponsor asking me what step i was on. I kept saying step 6. I really believed that you would work through each step to completion and arrive. I'm over that notion now. We continue to grow (or we go as they say). I am also a recovering perfectionist. My sponsor alerted me to the line from the 12 & 12 'in no way does he render us white as snow...' we have to take action and be willing to do it differently. for me, it requires me getting out of my tendency to be selfish & self-centered and go to meetings, be willing to make coffee, to get on my knees & asking my HP for help throughout my day and getting on my knees at night and saying thanks, to help others. My sponsor is an important part of my recovery as she is like a mirror to me as I don't always see myself very clearly. There are times I've had to prayer for willingness to be willing, for example to be willing to be willing to let go of a resentment.
It is said that this is a simple program for complicated people. It really is simple, but must be seen in the context of an individual working systematically through the steps. For me, on completion of my fifth, my sponsor sent me away for a two days to contemplate the progress thus far just as Dan describes above. The effect of the fifth was profound and as I read the Big book section on 5 and 6 I realized that it was describing exactly how I felt, especially really feeling the presence of my creator for the first time. I came to AA an agnostic and sceptic, but now I had a strong conviction not only that the Book was true, but also of the existence of a supreme being. It was such a powerful emotional and spiritual time I wonder if this was my first spiritual experience. This had come as a result of the steps taken to date, and I remember thinking that nothing was more important or worthwhile than me continuing with the rest of the steps in their entirety. Right at that time I was entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
God bless,
Mike.
Thanks for the reminder to pray to be willing to be willing. I feel so rebellious and stubborn at times. This time round, instead of putting my focus and energy into productive activities that would help my business grow, I am holding onto this hugh resentment towards the man I asked to be my business partner. He agreed, then changed his mind and later left the country. How can I let someone half way around the world still dominate my thinking. It's insane. Why is it so hard to admit my part in it which were my self seeking motives. I was trying to create the perfect life FOR ME. He called a couple of months ago and said he will come see me this summer. I'm excited and confused about that. I surely do not want to set myself up for another betrayal. Like Joel Osteen says, I want to be a victor and not a victim. As long as I hold onto the resentment and blame, I am choosing to be a victim and to remain stuck. Lord, please help me become ready to have you remove my defects of character. Please help me to be willing to be willing. Why? Because the way I'm running my business right now is not working.
Amen.
Thanks all!
I surrender.