Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 07:20:44

Comments

Hi, Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. This Step may seem hard on first inspection,but is really is quite simple. We have just swallowed some big chunks of truth about ourselves in Four. Somehow we have gotten through Five. We have taken a short break to make sure our work is solid so far. The key word for me in this Step is "objectionable". Am I ready to have have God remove the things I have found objectionable? Personally, I would rather not hold on to anything that I found objectionable. So Yes, if He can take them away then by all means I will let Him. Thank you for being a part of my sobriety today. Bill. Email: az-bill@mindspring.com


Member: Gage
Location: LA
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 12:29:13

Comments

I'm Gage, and I'm an alcoholic. A man in my homegroup who has helped me a lot says to really read this step as it is written. The step says to be entirely ready to have God remove these defects, not to have God help us to remove them. My job, then, is to be ready. I'm not sure what all "being ready" entails, other than to just believe that God will do what God will do, and I will be better for it. It's sort of like trusting my doctor, I guess. Anyway, no one told me that I was to stand on this step and wait until God has done this work, so I've been doing the next steps as best as I can. Something tells me that this is not likely to be something that happens with a bang, but then again that's none of my business.


Member: Sue A
Location: California
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 19:59:23

Comments

I'm Sue, an alcoholic. Sometimes it is hard to become entirely willing to have god remove a defect of character because I still enjoy it - although gossiping/character assasination isn't good, I really like hearing what other people are doing! It is easy to be ready for god to remove defects which are making my life miserable, but I really have to pray for the willingness to be willing to let go of those defects which I still get pleasure out of...


Member: Brian B
Location: Binghamton, NY
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 21:13:11

Comments

Hello my name is Brian and I am an alcoholic and drug addict. I am 33 years old and have been partying my past 20 years of my life. I decided it was time to try a different path and see what else the world had to offer. I knew all about partying and having a good time and chilling with my people. but i wanted to experience something other than partying and have a closer relationship with my kids (two girls) and build something meaningfull with them. One my way to sobriety I also found Christ. I find help to get through some really tough times.


Member: Dennis H.
Location: Austin TX
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 22:02:49

Comments

I sure am glad that this is a program of progress insead of perfection as I'd surely had been booted long ago after taking this step. Yes, I was ready, after the 5th step ,to remove the objectionable(obvious?) stuff and I asked Him in the 7th step to take it all. Only thing is, I have a tendency to take it all right back again. Seems to me that step 6th has to do with "willingness" and this is something that I pray for daily. I hope to never acheive "perfection", but I do strive for HOW(honesty, open-mindedness and, willingness).


Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 01 Dec 2002
Time: 23:34:51

Comments

I am an alcoholic I agree with this step and follow the will of God. It was not possible for me to do it myself my addiction and drinking and what I did wrong to others. and things I still have that needs to be improved in me. There is no medicine that can cure it but my contact with God and he has the power to and the only cure for me and my insanity. thanks to aa and al anon.


Member: Bob B
Location: Vanderbilt MI
Date: 02 Dec 2002
Time: 07:34:16

Comments

Bob here, alcoholic. Great step which, while simple, is often overlooked. If I am trully ready I will immediately take step 7 with each and every defect I choose to have God remove. If I am honest with this I cannot take it back because I am powerless, especially over GOD !! If he has it I have to find another way. Those I sponsor were like me and wanted to hold onto certain parts of themselves that brought "pleasure" but also pain, if not to me then to others. A continuing look at me in a written 10 step will reveal this over time so I can't escape MY truth. "Half measures avail us nothing" is not just a saying. It is truth. Try going "halfway" to the bathroom. A mess will ensue !! God bless you all as you "acheive" sobriety.


Member: Bob B
Location: Vanderbilt MI
Date: 02 Dec 2002
Time: 07:36:50

Comments

Bob here, alcoholic. Great step which, while simple, is often overlooked. If I am trully ready I will immediately take step 7 with each and every defect I choose to have God remove. If I am honest with this I cannot take it back because I am powerless, especially over GOD !! If he has it I have to find another way. Those I sponsor were like me and wanted to hold onto certain parts of themselves that brought "pleasure" but also pain, if not to me then to others. A continuing look at me in a written 10 step will reveal this over time so I can't escape MY truth. "Half measures avail us nothing" is not just a saying. It is truth. Try going "halfway" to the bathroom. A mess will ensue !! God bless you all as you "acheive" sobriety.


Member: Sarah
Location: NW USA
Date: 02 Dec 2002
Time: 12:48:29

Comments

"Were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character." My Experience, Strength and Hope with this Step is 'entirely ready' and 'defects of character' are a continuous process of learning ... often I learn by the sharing of the Experience, Strength and Hope of the other members in a meeting of Alcoholic Anonymous. When I listen to the illiterate member share his working the Steps and Traditions by going to Big Book and Step meetings ... I learn a humble understanding of 'Me and MY Literate Ego'. Thanks to his Experience, Strength and Hope, I had some Strength and Hope in facing 'ME and My Literate Ego's' fears about my computer illiteracy. Williness to have the defects of character removed ... can be the continually learning of humility in the similarities and differences of the shared Experience, Strength and Hope, a continual learning of facing the 'denial of my drunken EGO'. Thanks one and all for your sharing your Experience, Strength and Hope ... it helps me work this Step.


Member: Maria
Location: Delaware
Date: 02 Dec 2002
Time: 21:24:46

Comments

The 5th step is one of the most rewarding & challenging for me. Over the years in AA, I very slowly became willing & God has very slowly removed some of my character defects. At 16 years sobriety 2 biggies remained, then last year I was freed of one...but the most difficult is still a daily struggle. I pray for willlingness, ask to learn humility, yet this defect hangs on. I will keep coming back, & hope this will eventually be another miricle of sobriety. Thanks for letting me share.


Member: Annie M.
Location: Ctawissa, PA
Date: 02 Dec 2002
Time: 22:56:07

Comments

Annie, alcoholic. This step was always easy for me. Because I don't work a 4th step unless I'm in so much pain I can't stand it. I'm usually at the point of being disgusted with myself. So step 6 is a no brainer. At that point I'm so willing to have God remove my character defects I can't pray fast enough. Maybe someday I'll do a 4th a bit earlier...but I doubt it. I do thank God for these steps and for the saintly women who have put up with me over the yaers and taught me how to be thorough. Sponsors are a great thing. Be H,J & F, all.


Member: Joe P
Location: Chicago
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 12:09:39

Comments

My name is Joe, and I am an alcoholic. Step 6 – “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” The 12 & 12 states this is the step that separates the men [and women] from the boys [and the girls]. I’ve heard it said that this is the step where we grow up. Step 6 requires that we have the proper attitude towards change, that attitude being willingness. How do I get willingness to have God remove my defects? I was told to be aware of my defects as the surface. I begin to recognize them because I wrote about them in the 4th step and talked about them in the 5th step. It was also suggested that I discontinue acting on my character defects. If I have a thought about stealing, don’t steal. If I think about lying, don’t lie. I have found a valuable tool in the BB on page 76 – “If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.” This is a step that I must endeavor to practice to the best of my ability one day at a time, rather than being a one-time event. Thank you all for your comments.


Member: Maher Raie
Location: Dubai
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 12:16:39

Comments

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Member: Lessa E
Location: Chicago
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 18:43:02

Comments

Lessa E here, very grateful recovering alcoholic. Great comments so far, my thanks to folks who have shared on this step. I was SO depressed after my major Step 5 (I say major because I've had to do a couple more 'mini' step 4's and resultant 5's.) Anyway, the defects revealed were things I'd known about myself for sometime. And, in the pain I was in, which several have mentioned, I KNEW I was ready to have them removed. However, I'd tried in the past to remove them with no success. Took the wonderful sponsor I have now to gently nudge me into reading through steps 2 and 3 again, discussing them with her. To remember that the great *I* have nothing to do with removing the defects....however, I can easily stand in the way but trying to jump into the pilot's seat again. To me, becoming 'entirely ready' is once again acknowledging that my HP whom I know as God is in control. That I want "Thy will not mine" to be done. And letting it happen. Thanks for letting me share.


Member: claree
Location: Panhandle Idaho
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 19:48:00

Comments

Hi I'm Clare, an alcoholic. Six days sober. I am ready for God to remove all these defects of character. I have just started AA but I am aware of some of these defects of character: I have low self esteem. I'm selfish. I don't write well. For these and those not listed may God remove and increase my awareness. \||/


Member: JOHN C
Location: REP. OF IRELAND
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 22:37:07

Comments

SWINFORD MAYO REP OF IRELAND I am JOHN a grateful recovering alcoholic 15 YEARS IN RECOVERY did 4 and 5 after 2yrs and then had honest attempt @ 6 WITH SPONSOR I continue to ask God on a daily basis for help with 6 as new defects emerge as I change Reality means all change is not positive hence the ongoing need for my attendance at meetings sponsor prayer meditation amends inventory involvement carrying the message of hope I received when I emerged from the fog of alcoholism thankyou for allowing me to share and a happy sober XMAS to all alcoholics love from EIRE


Member: JOHN C
Location: REP. OF IRELAND
Date: 03 Dec 2002
Time: 22:37:09

Comments

SWINFORD MAYO REP OF IRELAND I am JOHN a grateful recovering alcoholic 15 YEARS IN RECOVERY did 4 and 5 after 2yrs and then had honest attempt @ 6 WITH SPONSOR I continue to ask God on a daily basis for help with 6 as new defects emerge as I change Reality means all change is not positive hence the ongoing need for my attendance at meetings sponsor prayer meditation amends inventory involvement carrying the message of hope I received when I emerged from the fog of alcoholism thankyou for allowing me to share and a happy sober XMAS to all alcoholics love from EIRE


Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 10:42:04

Comments

After my first fifth step, I felt odd. I had finally been honest out loud, the first time ever. For a while I was humble, I was not fearful and angry for a change. I was floating around on a pink cloud. I had spent some time after doing the fifth alone, but honestly the 6th step was still a bit of a mystry.Then one day I was sitting on the train, going to work. I watched some guy at one of our stops and I found myself agitated and angry again. Suddenly the sixth step came to mind. The problem here was my character defects and me, I was passing judgment on someone I didn’t even know. For this self centered a*hole it took a certain amount of courage to admit I may be wrong. In the serenity prayer, “courage to change the things I can”, is the willingness to admit my defect and be willing to give it up for the unknown.


Member: Melissa B.
Location: Canada
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 12:48:59

Comments

Melissa, alcoholic. This is a great meeting. I am slow. Pain seems to be the only effective motivator with me, except for self-pity, which miraculously disappeared with step five. That was an enormous gift because it was a corrosive thread messing me up in every corner of my life. It was suggested to me, as Joe already wrote, that if I have a thought of acting on a character defect (lying, stealing, being critical) that I do not act on it. I wish I could say all these thoughts have been removed, they have not, and I wish I could say that I never, never act on any of them, but I cannot. I've made a lot of progress. I sometimes wonder if it has really sunk into me that only a Higher Power can change me if I am truly willing. But I don't know. I truly started doing the steps because I truly don't want to drink again, and one thing I know for sure is that life is a heck of a lot easier when I don't act on every single character defect. Sometimes I feel like I understand Step Six and sometimes I feel like I'm blundering through life, very confused, but I am doing it sober and more awake and that's a long, long way from where I used to be. Thank you for listening. PS Thanks, Lessa, I got a lot out of your post (as usual!)


Member: Mark W
Location: St. Louis
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 18:35:58

Comments

Willingness, honesty, and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But they are indispensible. Fourteen words that say everything the big book does. The rest is to explain to us alcoholics what these words mean:) It took me all three to accomplish anything in step six. Willingness to get ready to let go of the defects. Honesty to admit the defects, and openmindedness to recognize them for what they are. Still making progress on some years after the first pass through the steps, but hiding something in my big book is not wise, I'd find it:) The fourteen words are italicized, for good reason. Know where they are? Mark W. LMW007@aol.com


Member: carlc
Location: austin tex
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 20:14:48

Comments

until i was ready to have god remove them I had no peace how did i become ready? i had to become aa willing as the dying can be i was in aa without a drink for 8 years i was not sober I was just not drinking doing all the pretty things we tell people to do and i wanted to end my life why because i had not taken any action i took the steps off the wall and got off the wall sobriety i was not until i took the steps the way they are outlined in the book that i became free from the bondage of self which my problem selfishness and self centeredness until you are ready your not ready and we can work on this step forever and nothing will happen


Member: Lee P.
Location: wherever there are wild trout
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 23:04:41

Comments

The 12 & 12 says this step is about being open and willing to change. That works for me. My alcoholic brain mostly wants to fuss and fret and be dissatisfied all the time to the point where I forget what I'm supposed to be doing to stay sober. Which is exactly what my disease wants. I need to stay in a state of being "entirely ready" and open if I'm gonna make it. Otherwise, I'll get too tangled up in me and I'm headed for a drink..


Member: Lee P.
Location: wherever there are wild trout
Date: 04 Dec 2002
Time: 23:05:00

Comments

The 12 & 12 says this step is about being open and willing to change. That works for me. My alcoholic brain mostly wants to fuss and fret and be dissatisfied all the time to the point where I forget what I'm supposed to be doing to stay sober. Which is exactly what my disease wants. I need to stay in a state of being "entirely ready" and open if I'm gonna make it. Otherwise, I'll get too tangled up in me and I'm headed for a drink..


Member: Jules
Location: Iowa
Date: 05 Dec 2002
Time: 23:01:10

Comments

Hi, Jules here, grateful recovering alky.. And yes I'm ready and willing to have my defects removed, but I know this is no overnight matter and accept this today. Not until I'd done a 4th,5th,6th,and 7th steps in regards to forgiving myself did I truly feel as if I could love myself. (I did the 5th step with a pastor from church and this was important for me because I'd always had a hang-up with religion) During this 6th step I truly started feeling O.K. with myself and know that I'm a work in progress, also that GOD don't make no junk! Thanks for 12th steppin me tonight you kept me sober.........and sane.


Member: J-Rae
Location: N.D.
Date: 05 Dec 2002
Time: 23:40:47

Comments

J-Rae, alcholic. After dong a thorough step 4 and 5, I could see some of those defects I needed to be rid of....Selfishness, Fear, Self-righteousness, envy, and the like. Of course there were others, but they, like the rest, revolved around ME. Willingness, I believe, is the key. Open-mindedness. I had to believe that my ways were wrong, and be open minded to believe there were better ways to deal with life than those I'd used and abused before. I was setting myself up for self-destruction my entire life. Could I now, at least pray for the willingness to be rid of those defects that were destroying me? This step is one I need to strive to work daily. If I am honest, I can see so much more clearly those defects I want to be rid of. I know I will never be perfect. But I can progress to be a better person, and I do that by working the steps to the best of my ability. More is revealed as I work toward the ideals set forth in the steps. Thank you for the topic, Glen, and y'all have a great 24........... ~J-Rae


Member: Tonya P
Location: Iceland
Date: 06 Dec 2002
Time: 07:53:31

Comments

This step has me scared. I don't like relying on someone or something other than myself, even if it is God. It's always made me feel weak- "I'm not strong enough to do it on my own." But I realized that this is one of the many things that make me drink, not leaning on my higher power, or anyone else for that matter. So to give up all my faults to God and to allow Him to take it away was like me saying "I can't take care of myself." I can't fix everything on my own, I can't be secure in the knowledge that whatever happens I alone can take care of it because it's never going to be that way, I will also need God, and for that this step is a blessing to me. To teach me that I am only human, and to remind me that not only can't I live life on my own but also that I don't have to, and I don't have to be perfect, either, because I am and will always be far from it. I will always have trouble with relying on God. Talking to Him, letting Him into my heart, feeling God help me live life the way I truly want to live it. But with each day that I am sober and aware, I make progress.


Member: a bit self righteous today"
Location: i really shouldn't say
Date: 06 Dec 2002
Time: 13:58:48

Comments

i just finished the steps..1-12. step six. entirely ready.. hmm now if i am,, how does that feel? am i sitting in a chair"feeling entirely ready?" am i on with my day to day life waiting for the miralcle? OR.. AM I ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE CORRECTION OF WHAT I FOUND IN MY STEP 4 INVENTORY. And wouln't this be the amends list?.. alot of times the AMENDS is not another "i'm sorry" but it is A CHANGE FROM THE FORMER BEHAVIOURS AND ATTITUDES, ACTIONS ETC. correct? This can involve "thinking differently.. "acting differently. "behaving differently. large order? i think so, but what's the alternative? Insanity... no thanks. spent lots and lots of dry drunken insane days in the program as it is, 5 and a half years without drinking and totally insane most of that time. Painfull suffering alcoholic.. Folks, lots of us suffer insanity years into sobriety. i've seen it. people with years of sober time, and still angry and still not letting go, there is a very serious side to this disease.. or is it that i just strive to go "first class"? An old timer said it simply.... Change.. or stay insane. Change or stay insane.


Member: Mary
Location: West
Date: 07 Dec 2002
Time: 00:06:30

Comments

Hi, I'm Mary a grateful recovering alcoholic. I liked what Lee P said. Being open and willing to change. Being entirely ready to have our defects removed. For me, I learn when I'm up against the wall. Tonight I'm in pain. I'm full of rage and resentments about the way others have acted. These feelings hurt me and alienate me from others. If I want out of this recurrent situation I need to be willing and open to change. And honestly do the work ....admit my part and my character defects....and hand it over to my higher power. For myself this work is done much more effectively if I'm not drinking....going to meetings...praying...and working with my sponsor. Thanks for being here.


Member: Paul . Q
Location: Toronto
Date: 07 Dec 2002
Time: 08:37:05

Comments

Willingness......He does the rest I can't. I'm powerless. The book states no human power could relieve my alcoholism. I see so many people trying to fix "self". The other deal here is lighten up we are human we are not perfect. Thats why I need GOD, he designed me that way so I submit to his will not mine. For sure I will fall short, but I don't pick up that drink today.


Member: anonymous alcoholic (DOS 12/12/90)
Location: 2689 Ridgecrest Drive
Date: 08 Dec 2002
Time: 05:53:09

Comments

Step 6! I still remember being in that church basement the Saturday after Thanskgiving, 1992 with my sponsor. We were 'doing' steps 4 thru 9. It took 13 hours. When it came time to do step 6, Andy asked me if I was entirely ready? I'm not sure, I said. I was looking at a list of 26 items and some of those, like lust for example, I would be willing to let go when I was older but not right now! :-) Andy told me he was going outside for a smoke (that was before he quit) and that I had about 10 minutes to make up my mind. He said I might consider praying about it while he was gone. If I still decided to wait we would just close up shop and continue some other day. While he was outside I looked at that list, the heading of which was 'character DEFECTS'. It dawned on me, who in their right mind would want to hang onto something called a character DEFECT??? So when he came back I said I was ready! And we proceeded. But, you know even today, I am not 100% sure that I am ENTIRELY ready to have God remove ALL my character defects. Just trying to be honest... Thanks.