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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Step Work -> Step Work -> Al Anon Step 7
Post Info TOPIC: Al Anon Step 7
Audrey


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Posts: 47
Date:
Al Anon Step 7
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Humbly Asked Him to Remove Our Shortcomings

I was stumped when I hit this step. Up until this point, I had made an admission (step 1), came to believe (step 2), made a decision (step 3), took an inventory (step 4), once again admitted (step 5), became ready (step 6). Now I needed to do something, ask something of a power I had not yet fully come to terms with. I remember asking my sponsor "so what do I do?" She told me to "keep going" I wanted a bit more instruction. Was I to write a letter? Was I to pray? Was I to just answer the questions in the book? I truly didn't know what to do.

What ended up working for me in this step was meditation. I so wanted my anger removed. I came to Al Anon full of anger. It was so easy to anger me. All you had to do was speak to me and chances were I was angered LOL. I thought I was ready to have this removed. I began to focus on my anger, seeking to learn where it came it from, what truly caused it and even beginning to believe I could live without it. As I actually began to react and respond without anger, I wasn't quite ready to believe that after years and years of anger it might actually be lifting just a bit. I continue to pray and meditate. 

Today, much of the anger is gone. I still unfortunately can react or respond with anger, but it is no longer 100% of the time. It's some of the time. 

My next character defect I wanted to work on was my taking everything personally. If I copied something from a book and you told me you didn't like it, I took it personally. They weren't even my words yet I took someone's dislike of these words personally. My feelings were hurt and I wanted revenge. This time a combination of prayer and conference approved literature helped me alter my thinking. I clearly remember the day my boss snapped at me and it took everything in me not to burst out laughing. It was not about me at all. It was that exchange that told me something had absolutely shifted. 

Would love to hear your step 7 stories. Thanks for letting me share.



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DavidG


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Posts: 168
Date:
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  smile Audrey.

My big shortcoming is trying to do too many things at once. No patience. I get confused and angry when I start too many things. I get confused and sad when things get undone.

There are reasons for this- that i am 100% aware of.

So here I am... saying this- and waiting for steps 4, 5, 6, 7... to deal with this.

Not trying to race to the top, skipping steps- on this defect.

This is a defect of character- but I AM NOT a defective character. biggrin ...

aww Thanks. 



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Participation is the key to harmony.
Audrey


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Posts: 47
Date:
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Freetime wrote:

Audrey, I was so delighted to stop by here and see that you are posting about the steps. I hope we can continue Betty's legacy here. She was a blessing to me when I worked my steps here.

For Step 7, I learned in a meeting to think about the word "humbly." What does humility mean? The answer came that to be humble means to be teachable. I have to be able and willing to learn something new. I also had to realize that my defects or shortcomings, if they were removed, would be replaced with something better, so I was not losing anything, I was improving myself.

 

Wow, I just love that. As part of my journey, I've looked up many words and torn them apart. I just love the word teachable. One of my gratitudes is that I'm open. Prior to Al Anon I was never open. Today I'm open.

And I too wish to honor Betty's legacy :)



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