Step Six Questions

dot · Senior Member

Step Six Questions

Rita G · Member

1. Am I willing to let go of all my defects of character? Why or Why not?

Maybe not, Some of those defects of character have been my protective shield from the inner pain that I have from being that little girl in that alcoholic home. If I lower that defense then the yrs of stuffed emotion will have to be dealt with, am I ready for that? By myself, No, I'm not ready, but maybe with the help of my HP & the love & support of my friends in this program, together we can make it through this healing step.

2. Which ones would I prefer to hold on to? What advantages do I see to
holding on to them? The sarcasm, the pushing people away - the not letting anyone get to close - because if you don't get to close then you can't hurt me - But that doesn't work for me anymore - I want a different way.

3. What does "have God remove all my defects of character" mean to me? Letting God have His way will my will and life - letting Him peel away at the layers of my soul that need healing.

4. Do I understand why this Step speaks only of my own relationship with God? What does this mean to me? This is a healing between God & I - a way of me learning that only He can heal me of those past pains, hurts and character flaws that keep me from a closer relationship with Him.

Thanks for letting me share,

Have a blessed day,

Rita

Vicky R · Senior Member

hi Dot and Rita , I think these quotes illustrate some things I could do with working on again -

From: How Courage to Change 1992 - pg 319
(copyright 1995, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)

' An important part of my stepwork is practicing gratitude . The more I give thanks for m life as it is , the more I can accept the healing that allows me to change and grow. By recognizing and cultivating my abilites , I am increasingly willing to let go of my defects '

From: How Courage to Change 1992 - pg 221
(copyright 1995, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)

' in step 6 I contemplate my life undergoing change - tremendous change. The great fear is this : if I shed many characteristics that stand in my way , what will be left ? It is as though I face a great void , a terrifying unknown . Yet when I acknowledge how far I have come , I can see how much I want to change . The desire to grow and to heal has brought me to this uncomfortable point , because I am tired of the way I have been'

thanks for the point about sarcasm Rita , yeah I guess I could relate to that sometimes , it's a tricky one because I've often been told to ' stand up for myself more ' but there are ways and ways I guess. Resentment is another one , because of needing to do recovery at all perhaps , 'not fair' !!! funny that little chip can be harder to shift than some of the biggies !

llol Vickyr x

wallsal55 · Member

1. Me...willing to let go of my defects. Some, yes....The obvious ones. The ones I had a "death grip" on...NO! Those provided me with comfort and hope. If I let go....what would be left...of me? Emptyness, The Void, Nothingness. Oh, what fear was inside of me! I really thought my ideas I was clutching to would work....only in complete and utter exhaustion do I realize....my efforts were not working and there must be a better way...my Higher Power's way. (I am stubborn and think my way is better or right or my HP won't do it my way. Always try to write MY own happy ending).

> God CAN, I cannot. Time for me, to hang it up. My efforts were futile, self-defeating and self-destructive. If I just Let Go a little at a time, watch my Higher Power go to work to work out what is best for me.

Learn how the 12 Steps work. Participate in your own recovery as well as the recovery of others, by being active on this board as we go through the 12 Steps of recovery together! We discuss each of the Twelve Steps In the order they are written, one step at a time, every two weeks.