Step 7
The following comes from the last paragraph of Step 7 in The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions:
“The Seventh Step is where we make the change in our attitude which permits us, with humility as our guide, to move out from ourselves toward others and toward God. The whole emphasis of Step Seven is on humility. It is really saying to us that we now ought to be willing to try humility in seeking the removal of our other shortcomings just as we did when we admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, and came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. If that degree of humility could enable us to find the grace by which such a deadly obsession could be banished, then there must be hope of the same result respecting any other problem we could possibly have.”
Now I am going to share with you an excerpt on my share for Step 6 as it describes my spiritual experience that prepared me for Step 7:
“My most recent Step work was the very first time I feel like I finally understood the meaning of Defects Of Character as it applies to me spiritually. Anything that my EGO craves or thrives on is a defect and that ties directly into the “isms”, which is connected to Stinking Thinking, Me Me Me, Poor Me, My Way or no way, I deserve this or that for what he/she/them/it/life did to me, what’s the point when no body else follows the rules…etc..
I became aware that it’s the part of me that wants to hang onto justified anger or resentment; the part of me who wants to be the Director and when my expectations aren’t met then all the other glaring defects come oozing out to the surface like an infection ready to jump start my disease into an emotional or psychological relapse, which always sends me straight to that slippery slope that I have zero desire to slide down again. I have burn marks on my soul from the many slides down that slope…….
I immediately became willing to let go of all the defects of character that I am aware of and those that will sprout up and be revealed. That true spiritual willingness was really a beautiful and peaceful feeling. This is where I must go to any lengths to Live The Spiritual Life or I will lose my sobriety.”
Step 7 came directly after this realization. Asking HP to remove my shortcomings this time around was purely spiritual and truly beautiful. I could feel all resistance melt away. I was able to trust my whole being to my HP to remove every defect that stands in the way of doing HP”s Will. It was easy and peaceful. I did feel that serenity the BB, 12×12 and Fellowship speak about.
I became more than willing to go to any lengths to do whatever HP guided me to do with every shortcoming. Most of the time, it’s choosing a spiritual action over what the ego wants to do. I feel that because of my history with sobriety and relapse, Step 7 has to be a permanent part of my every day sober life.
I was sober 3 months before I got a sponsor and started working The Steps. I was miserable, hopeless, despairing and darkness surrounded my soul. Putting the plug in the jug was not enough. My sober life is so much better than it was even at 3 months sober because I am living the AA way of life. This only came about because I got a sponsor and worked The Steps.
Thank you for allowing me to be of service.
Heather B
7/27/18