How to begin to do something about your character defects. Step 6.
Ever start to rage on someone, know it’s wrong, and not be able to stop? Actually, stepping it up? Louder? More profane? Maybe becoming physical? Well, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. I have done it, too. Had enough, yet?
Relax! There is a way out, an answer. Probably many answers but the only one that was ever able to get through the bluster of my tortured mind was to follow the program of AA.
AN ANSWER Step 6 says “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” Remember, you started to see your Higher Power as a loving, non-judgmental God in Step 2. He was ready, willing, and able to help you have a better life.
By the time you get to Step 6, you should be beginning to see and feel this very thing happening in your own life. If you haven’t, yet, I would suggest going back to Step 3. Discover what part of your life you have taken back from God.
Are you ready to change your life from misery to Happiness, Joy, and Freedom from the bondage of all mind-altering substances? If you are ready to change, then Step 6 says “follow me!”
WHAT DO YOU NEED This Step calls for us to be ENTIRELY READY, not just “I think I’ve had enough so I’ll try this.” After asking for your Higher Power’s help with this Step, you commit to changing your life and are willing to go to any lengths to do it.
This Step is simple enough, just made more difficult by trying to do it with your own interpretation of how it should be done. Asking for help can also call for talking with your sponsors for guidance.
If you do, your Higher Power will also work through your sponsor. All that this step says is that we are ready, not calling for any deep thought or research. Are you ENTIRELY READY? If so, then you can move on to Step 7.
WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT READY YET? If not, go on back out drinking again and we will gladly refund your misery. I live a hard line with my program but not with myself. You folks gave me a real conscience, not just the “I’m sorry for the ills of the world” conscience that I had when coming into the program.
This way, I don’t have to continuously tell any and all just how terrible it was for me “back in the day” and that “I know that I am only one drink away from going back into the pit of despair” and keep saying it over and over.
You can live your life Happy, Joyous, and Free of the bondage of self and other outside influences. This does not mean to be giddy at a funeral or while visiting a sick or troubled or injured friend, just happy to know that you are doing the “next right thing.”
Don’t be afraid of living. Be happy with the fact that you can now truly live and enjoy life. If you didn’t drink or drug today, you now have choices.
Wouldn’t it be nicer if you chose to suck on a straw stuck in an ice cream soda rather than the barrel of a pistol? Do you choose to be miserable or do you choose to be Happy, Joyous, and Free? The choice is yours and nobody else’s. Choose wisely! Thank you, God!
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