12 Steps in 12 Days: A Look at Step 6 of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
General Service Conference approved literature lists Step 6 of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as follows:
“6. We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book states, “We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can He now take them all, everyone? If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.”
Step 6 is often regarded as a step of preparation and reflection. Having God (as we know him/her) remove all of our character defects means that we can truly start on a new path of total sobriety.
2 Comments
I think this is where the rubber meets the road. We talk about Step 6 as a housecleaning step but really it is a maintenance step which requires constant application for any sort of happiness. My willingness to let go of my character defects changes from day to day.
Great post