"If [character defects] contributed to our health and happiness, we would not have come to such a state of desperation/"
Basic Text p. 34
Getting started on the Sixth and Seventh Steps isn't always easy. We may feel as though we have so much wrong with us that we are totally defective. We might feel like hiding under a rock. Under no circumstance would we want our fellow addicts to know about our inadequacies.
We will probably go through a time of examining everything we say and do in order to identify our character defects and make sure we suppress them. We may look back at one particular day, cringing at what we're certain is the most embarrassing thing we've ever said. We become determined to be rid of these horrible traits at all costs. But nowhere in the Sixth or Seventh Steps does it say we can learn to control our defects of character. In fact, the more attention we focus on them, the more firmly entrenched they will become in our lives. It takes humility to recognize that we can't control our defects any more than we can control our addiction. We can't remove our own defects; we can only ask a loving God to remove them.
Letting go of something painful can be as difficult as letting go of something pleasant. But let's face it-holding on is a lot of work. When we really think about what we're holding onto, the effort just isn't worthwhile. It's time to let go of our character defects and ask God to remove them.
Just for Today: I'm ready to have my defects removed. I will let go and allow a loving Higher Power to care for me.
This is as tough as stopping using i'm trying to understand whats going on here with these steps trying to see where i was at when i stopped using and turned it over , how that worked for me should work the same way with these shortcomings ?
OBSESSIONS I have obsessions and compulsions to behave and react certain ways to people places things and situations, often these shortcomings are destructive and counter productive LOL, making a list of my shortcomings is LONG.
They say take it easy "dont take yourself so serious" ( rule 62 ? ) in a wave of destruction how can I not take myself and my problems so serious ?
Reading the book "A new pair of glasses" is helping, Chuck C talks a lot about this stuff pretty much says turn it over and just keep working on it but not to hard LOL
ok have a great day everyone and good luck with those shortcomings HEH HEH
-- Edited by BigV on Saturday 21st of November 2009 11:57:04 AM
