We... get a good look at what these defects are doing to our lives. We begin to long for freedom from these defects.
Basic Text, p. 34
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Becoming entirely ready to have our defects of character removed can be a long process, often taking place over the course of a lifetime. Our state of readiness grows in direct proportion to our awareness of these defects and the destruction they cause.
We may have trouble seeing the devastation our defects are inflicting on our lives and the lives of those around us. If this is the case, we would do well to ask our Higher Power to reveal those flaws which stand in the way of our progress.
As we let go of our shortcomings and find their influence waning, well notice that a loving God replaces those defects with quality attributes. Where we were fearful, we find courage. Where we were selfish, we find generosity. Our delusions about ourselves will disappear to be replaced by self-honesty and self-acceptance.
Yes, becoming entirely ready means we will change. Each new level of readiness brings new gifts. Our basic nature changes, and we soon find our readiness is no longer sparked only by pain but by a desire to grow spiritually.
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Just for today: I will increase my state of readiness by becoming more aware of my shortcomings.
I usually am not willing to let go of a defect of characer until it causes considerable pain for me and others. I need to become aware of how my defects of character are hurting me and others so I can become willing to change.
The way I like to deal with my defects of character are to really focus on one of them at a time. I've only got a little over a month now, and sometimes it gets overwhelming trying to deal with them all at once. I figure that it's best to hone in on one of them and really deal with it rather than spreading myself too thin and ending up feeling defeated.
I come to find alot of my character defects come to light when I see them in other people ..the whole "you spot it, you got it"...so when I see a defect I don't like in another person, it causes me to look inward. There are those too, that I will hang onto because they still work to my advantage, but when I act on them, it leaves me with a disappointed feeling in myself, that's when I know the program is working, when I can't get away with the same behavior because I have enough recovery in me to let me know when my motives aren't right. More will be revealed, as long as were willing to look at it...
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Carrying the message of hope and freedom from active addiction to the addict who still suffers.
