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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> Alanon Step 7
Post Info TOPIC: Alanon Step 7
hotrod


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Alanon Step 7
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Step Seven

Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings

Paths to recovery page 72

There is a natural progression in working the steps. We are never asked to do anything before we are fully prepared and ready. Step seven is a natural follow-up to steps four five and six. We were not asked to turn our will our lives over to God until we admitted that we were powerless and became certain that God could help us. On the surface step seven appears fairly simple. We have identified our shortcomings in the previous steps and now after seeing how they hurt us we are ready to have been removed. Now we simply must  ask that God remove them.

My Share 

Today after working several steps seven's  in my lifetime, I can honestly say that I am humble enough to know that I am not all-powerful and that there is a power greater than my self that will help me if I ask. I did struggle with the idea of humility early on in program however my sponsor explained to me that humility is simply admitting that I, like every other person on this planet, am an imperfect human being that has limited understanding and resources.  I have a Power much Greater than I am who  loves me and will help  heal because this Power cares about my well-being and will help me if asked. 

 The two stumbling blocks in this step for me was getting humble and asking.  In my family of origin asking for anything was a sure sign I would not get it--  That I wanted something was kept over my head as a hammer in order o get me to behave  I learned never to ask for anything  Being humble in my FOO was also frowned on so  I needed to be self assured and arrogant.  

 I can strive to remove all my shortcomings ,as I have in the past only to have them return bigger and stronger than before. Once I  finally surrender and admit that I'm powerless over these defects, I make room for my higher power to come in and help me. Very often I have  struggled with the idea that I like my shortcomings and I am  not anxious to have been removed but once I can see the damage that they cause to me, I am willing to ask my higher power for help. This step is powerful and I urge you to honor it.

 

Step Seven Questionsns

Do I believe that my HP can rid me of my defects? How do I know this?

What does humility mean to me?

Which defect is causing me the most trouble? What benefits do I get from it? What problems does it cause?

How can I treat myself with compassion in my recovery and ask for the willingness to keep trying?

How am I humble?What  can  help me to be more?

 



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Betty
DavidG


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Hi Betty...biggrin

I did this step last time round... so this is a good time to review it. In my world there was no consistency. To the child it appears like chaos... but it is life itself... gotta learn to run with is, as it is....

Last time round I focussed on the first word... I didn't think I was truly humble... ...looking back i think i could have used the word "demanded". As i refelect on this I can conjure up the phrase: "expect the best and get it". This is different from expecting perfection, all the time....

I spent the weekend amongst really good people... we supported and actually loved one another, on this occasion... old and young... women, and men... I got to meet the most powerful person on the country... I actually sang for him... with my friend...

...woven into this is a recovery story... a miracle... it has kept me in the programme... it gave me hope- something I truly hoped for...

...every bit of effort i had given, and received, came into play...

...this leader, who could change the whole course of history sometime was a truly humble man... this was an inspiration.... I no longer wanted to be invisible, just a random 'fly on the wall'. I claimed my prize for the part I played, by being able to sing... it was not "Danny Boy' this time. I sang "What a wonderful world," complete with the gravelly voice and the rolled up eyes..., an embodiment of what I learned, heard, and felt, in America earlier this year...

...being humble does not mean humiliation... oh, far from it... it can embody pride as well... and faith... and courage...

...so pleased to be here... aww

...thanks Betty... smile



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Participation is the key to harmony.
cloudskies


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Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings

I have been doing a lot of this lately. For so long, I considered myself little mrs. perfect. After all, I was living with an alcoholic. I should be commended. No one had a life as miserable as mine was. In my mind, I was a classic victim. Victims don't have shortcomings because we are the victims. How pitiful I was! I couldn't see the trees for the forest. I didn't see all the negative emotions I was feeling as shortcomings. I now know these emotions were preventing me from finding serenity. Each and every day I ask God to please remove my shortcomings and to give me guidance.

While I have always been a very spiritual person, I feel I am closer to my HP now than I have ever been. I am very humbled by his love and by his guidance. I have made mistakes and I am so sorry. When I think of some of the things I have done, my heart grieves. I wonder how can God love a person such as me. I am humbled by his love.  I constantly have to ask my HP for help with my controlling issues. This is my biggest stumbling block. I am learning how to forgive myself. I have faith in my God that he will supply me with the courage and strength to keep moving forward.

 



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Look for the rainbow after the storm. I'm sending you a double dose of HOPE.

Linda
hotrod


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Posts: 1023
Date:
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Dear David and Linda,
Thank you both so very much for your insightful,honest reflections on this Powerful Step. Being humble and asking is the key.

Thanks for sharing the journey

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Betty
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