Step Six - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. From: How Al-Anon Works - pg. 55 (copyright 1995, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.) In Steps Four and Five, we uncovered aspects of our lives and our personalities that needed change. Most of us are uncomfortable with these aspects of ourselves and want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. But Step Six says nothing about changing ourselves or making our own defects of character go away. Instead, we are reminded that we are in a partnership with a Power greater than ourselves. Our role in this partnership is to accept ourselves as we are, flaws and all, and to become willing to let go of all that stands in the way of our health and growth. No other action is required. The rest is up to a Power greater than ourselves. Love in Recovery - Dot

From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 68 (copyright 1997 , by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.) " Becoming entirely ready involves a process for me - a grief process - where I walk through my denial , anger bargaining and depression . It is helpful for me to pretend the defect is a friend by writing it a thank-you letter . " hi Dot this quote I've picked sounds a bit sad perhaps but I don't really see it that way , the process of going through real feelings like that can be a positive thing within reason isn't it , this quote stuck out for me as a good reminder of reality for today , I like your quote too , yeah I think the handing over process is very important , even if you are one of the many atheists in the programme handing over to some other belief of choice. There are other points in the literature that speak of 'footwork' ie going to meetings , phonecalls , reading etc that keep us in touch with the programme but I think the general idea is that we do those things where we are able to and then some of the more difficult aspects of recovery 'work themselves out' . I do find its easy to fall into pitfalls eg either trying too hard to change things or neglecting the footwork but as long as I keep returning to the programme someone or something will point that out . Some defects shifted easily more than others almost as though you never thought about them you just turned around and they were pretty much gone !!! wish it was like that for all of them ! hug , llol Vickyr x

Path's to Recovery - Step 6 - Page 67 -

"Step 6 is about the six "P's" for me - Perspective, pain, prayer, patience, process, and payoff."

Perspective - Survival skills that no longer serve me - I can choose to let them go

Pain - clinging to my defect becomes more painful than my fear of letting it go

Prayer - God removes, not me - my part is to pray for openness and willingness

Patience - God is in charge - He gets to choose when & how fast He will remove my defects

Process - a grief process - walking through denial, anger, bargaining & depression - when I'm ready I can pretend the defect is a friend by writing it a thank-you and good-bye letter.

Payoff - "What's the Payoff" - if I hold onto this defect what do I benefit from it??

I have read these paragraph many times, and the payoff for me in working Step 6 is about living Happy, Joyous and Free - Keeping my Garden free of the bitter weeds of resentment, envy, hatred and meanness. 

Thanks for letting me share,

Rita

 

hi Rita welcome to the board , I like the quotes you chose this literature is quite gentle sometimes I think. The programme helps to soften the edges of my defects at least and some of them have gone , it's a lifelong process for me but one I've come to enjoy , hope you find the board helpful and that you'll post again soon llol Vickyr x

Thanks for the Welcome Vicky -

I have been posting on the Al-Anon Forum on MIP for a few months now and just started on this forum - I LOVE the steps and traditions - they have saved my life, my marriage and my sanity.  Path's to Recovery is my favorite Al-Anon book - my home group uses it on Monday nights alternating each week between the Steps & Traditions. I prefer to use it with the ladies I work with when we decide they are ready to start working the steps.

This is such a great site to have to share our recovery - Thanks for letting me be a part -

Living life One Day At a Time,

Rita