Member: Ruthie W
Location: Alaska
Date: 5/5/2002
Time: 6:31:00 PM

Comments

Ruthie here, alcoholic, this one is tough, since I don't have any shortcomings. LOL. yeah right. As my mind gets clearer and life gets brighter through sobriety, I realize every day how fortunate I am to have a higher power with so much grace. And I realize that I am not perfect, never will be, but the daily inventory has helped me slowly change my alcoholic thinking. and to ask Him to remove my shortcomings has allowed me to stop crying about the past and live in today. That is an important step in my sobriety. Thanks to AA and thanks to my HP. May you all have peace today.


Member: Bettybee
Location: Ohio
Date: 5/5/2002
Time: 8:19:42 PM

Comments

"...asked HIM to remove my shortcomings." For too long, my efforts to change myself lead to discouragement, anger and self-pity. Self cannot overcome self -- someone said.

What I can do is be willing to "act" differently ... count to ten, or not respond immediately, or go where I'm afraid to go, or ask for help even tho it's uncomfortable, etc.

Have found that as successes build up by "acting" a different way, the change starts to take place within me.


Member: PJ
Location: Florida
Date: 5/5/2002
Time: 11:06:55 PM

Comments

PJ, grateful recovering alcoholic. Humility-a word I totally misunderstood for more than a few 24 hours. I thought being humble & being a doormat meant the same thing! By the grace of my HP & listening to ES&H in meetings, I have come to realize that being humble simply means recognizing what and who I really am, followed by a sincere attempt to become what my HP wants me to be. The Big Book Seventh Step prayer helps me understand this concept: "My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you..." I see my "defects of character" as stumbling blocks to becoming the woman I am meant to be and I pray to overcome these stumbling blocks. Thanks for letting me share.


Member: Sarah
Location: NW USA
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 8:50:12 AM

Comments

"Hummbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings."

To me the Experience, Strength and Hope shared has taught me the essense of the Big Book Seventh Step prayer.

My name is Sarah, I am an alcoholic. "Alcoholic" ... a " USELESS DRUNK", a real 'shortcoming'.

All the shared Experience, Strength and Hope tells me that my 'shortcomings' and your 'shortcomings' can be useful to the "Healing Power".

Alcohol is but a symptom of the disease of the "DRUNKEN EGO (Edging God Out)".

Usefulness to the "Healing Power" rather than 'my or yours(EGO)' judgement of 'good and bad' is what all the Experience, Strength and Hope has given.

Thanks for sharing ... the Experience, Strength and Hope hasn't given 'perfection' but it has given a "Healing Power" to live another sober 24 hours rather than another 24 hours as a 'useless drunk'.


Member: Lessa E.
Location: Chicago
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 10:16:08 AM

Comments

Lessa E here, grateful recovering alcoholic. Wow! What powerful shares so far!!! As PJ mentioned, I, too, associated humility with being a doormat - something undesirable and something that was to be avoided at all costs for this egomainiac with an inferiority complex. I've shared before that it took a relapse with disastrous conqeunces and alot of humiliation for this alkie to begin to comprehend what true humility really is. A quality I was sadly lacking in.

I remember when I did my first fifth step, how sad I felt afterwards. I already KNEW my most glaring character defects. And *I* had tried to remove them without much success. At this point I had to go back to steps 2&3, where I 'came to believe' in an HP I now know as God and where I turned EVERYTHING over to Him. That is when I got back some hope. Just as He took away the desire to drink, which I had tried unsuccessfully for years using every means available to me, my HP can surely take away the character defects. (If, I've become willing, as step 6 tells us we must.)

Bettybee alluded to taking a brief timeout when one recognizes the defect coming to the forefront. Unfortunately it isn't that easy for me. It took me over 20 years of drinking to perfect and hone the defects. It takes my HP to get rid of them. But I have to do the footwork. With my sponsor, I work on behavior that can replace the defect. And then it takes PRACTICE. And the willingness to be vigilant for when the character defect threatens to become active again.

Very grateful to be sober today and very glad I had another chance to come back to the tables.

lessa_e@hotmail.com


Member: Faye S
Location: NM
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 4:13:19 PM

Comments

Hi - this is my first time. I'm Faye S and am having a hard time with a big shortcoming - resentment - resentment of the person I am supposed to call my son-in-law and be proud of. I cannot stand to look at him as he was the last person i asked for help from a year ago. I had attended a meeting on "love and resentment" and vowed to extend myself to try to place a bit of faith and perhaps love and put the resentment behind me. Instead, as I had been drinking he turned my life upside down and at every turn continues to do so, even tho I have been sober a year - after 42 years of drinking! What a miracle. Anyone got any good words on resentment as every day is a real struggle to stay sober. I ask myself why bother even tho I know the rest of my family cares.


Member: David B
Location: Worthing UK
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 5:18:07 PM

Comments

First time time I have come across the website - two and a half years sober, but the last three months have been difficult. Feel better haind read the comments.


Member: Les
Location: San Diego
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 7:00:40 PM

Comments

The following is a definition I found in a pocket dictionary: Humble; The state of being aware of one's own defects of character. So, being aware of our own defects of character, which we learned from taking Step Four, we ask God to remove them. Having been asked, He removes those character defects and we need to act accordingly.


Member: Michael B.
Location: AZ
Date: 5/6/2002
Time: 11:05:07 PM

Comments

Hi! My name is Michael, and I am a recovering alcoholic and addict, sober today by the Grace of God and the Fellowship. Thanks for the sincere shares! Welcome newcomers!

I daily ask my God to remove my shortcomings, but my biggest struggle is that I don't always ask humbly. Impatience can get in the way, which is a shortcoming that gets the best of me some time.

More importantly, however, if I don't become willing on a daily basis to "humbly ask," I risk the possibility that one of these shortcomings will lead me back to a drink or two or a hundred.


Member: Jack B.
Location: Palo Alto, Pa
Date: 5/7/2002
Time: 2:25:10 AM

Comments

Hi, I am Jack, a real alcoholic. Step 6 and step 7 are the meat and potatoes of our 12 step program. In step 6, I made the decision that I wanted to be free of the old me. Step 7 for me has always been the part of How it works, where it says there is one who has all power, that one is God. May you find him now. Thanks for allowing me to share and God Bless all.


Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 5/7/2002
Time: 8:41:59 AM

Comments

I am an alcoholic and an addict.about step 7 What I can do is be willing to "act" differently ... count to ten, or not respond immediately, or go where I'm afraid to go, or ask for help even tho it's uncomfortable, etc.

Have found that as successes build up by "acting" a different way, the change starts to take place within me.


Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 5/7/2002
Time: 10:11:55 AM

Comments

Of course I thought I wanted my major defects removed, so I could stop feeling so miserable all the time. It was some time after doing the fifth, sixth and seventh that the true depth of my own insanity became clear. One day sitting on the train, I was pondering what was this seventh step about? My attention wondered to another passenger, when I thought, ãLook at that, fat ugly loserä. I froze. I found my self-righteousness was not comfortable anymore. I was finally willing to have God remove this defect of character. I asked and a profound peace settled over me. Everything and everyone seemed right. Today, I diligently guard my serenity. All of my fears are the insanity creeping back and my suffering is directly related to the attachment I have to my own point of view. Alcohol pounded me into submission and willingness has taught me Joy in humility.


Member: Stew E
Location: FL
Date: 5/7/2002
Time: 1:35:06 PM

Comments

This is a step that is quite spiritual, as is much of the program. It is a daily step and I use it as a tool in day to day activity.

Thanks for the definition, Les. I won't have to cut and paste onto another bookmark of mine, dictionary.com. I have been told by my sponsor to look up these words key to our recovery.

Thanks.


Member: Jim F
Location: Guilin, China
Date: 5/7/2002
Time: 3:56:57 PM

Comments

When I did my 5th, I was still having problems with a higher power though the inventory and sharing it helped a lot. My sponsor had moved 100 miles away, so, by the time I drove home, I forgot all about 6 and 7, conveniently.

Time passed and I was asked to lead a meeting, a step study. Guess which step. I had to fess up the group that I had never done it, and then I went home and did it.

Over the years, I have found out why they are called the "quicky steps" and why Bill Wilson spent so much time on them in the 12 x 12: they are easy to overlook but oh so important.

Jim from Sequim


Member: JL
Location: The Beach
Date: 5/8/2002
Time: 5:25:55 PM

Comments

I think it is the 12 and 12 that says this step separates the men from the boys. The above shares really touched a nerve in me so I go back to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

From Chapter Five "How it Works"

Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.

It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feeling we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.

If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison."

After working Step Seven, for me the real work began. I no longer craved a drink, the obsession had been lifted from me. Even the above part about resentments leading up to Step Four wasn't enough to get me closer to God. Finding a god of my understanding and getting closer to him is what the sequence of the steps is all about. Asking Him to remove my shortcomings, which through the Seventh Step Prayer I do every day, has been one thing that disolves my character defects and gets rid of what is in my way to my usefulness to Him. I want to be in that sunlight of the spirit, but it takes a lot of work. Work I must do if I want to stay sober.


Member: JL
Location: The Beach
Date: 5/8/2002
Time: 5:28:43 PM

Comments

I think it is the 12 and 12 that says this step separates the men from the boys. The above shares really touched a nerve in me so I go back to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

From Chapter Five "How it Works"

Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.

It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feeling we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.

If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison."

After working Step Seven, for me the real work began. I no longer craved a drink, the obsession had been lifted from me. Even the above part about resentments leading up to Step Four wasn't enough to get me closer to God. Finding a god of my understanding and getting closer to him is what the sequence of the steps is all about. Asking Him to remove my shortcomings, which through the Seventh Step Prayer I do every day, has been one thing that disolves my character defects and gets rid of what is in my way to my usefulness to Him. I want to be in that sunlight of the spirit, but it takes a lot of work. Work I must do if I want to stay sober.


Member: Kenny B.
Location:
Date: 5/8/2002
Time: 5:58:36 PM

Comments

I had a lot of shortcomings when I first started to go to AA meetings! I was brought up as a catholic, having attended eight years of parochial schooling with the law of the ruler and the ever present threat of being thrown into the eternal fires of "hell" to pay for my attitude of not obeying to the letter the blessed servants of the father, son and holy ghost, who always flew over my head peering into every thought, word and deed that ever entered into this sinful accumulation of flesh and bones I was plagued with from birth in the one holy, catholic and apostolic church directed by the most holy father in Rome! After all who and what was I in the presence of such magnificent holiness found in the schools, churches and articles of this most glorious collection of piety ever assembled on this earth?

<p>But alas! I didn't know they were raping the altar boys in the sacristry, as others prepared for the sacrifice of the mass on Sunday morning! Did you? I didn't know that the priests, bishops, cardinals and who knows who else were doing these kind of things, that this is why I was not able to stand in this holiness with them! So today I say were these my early signs of showing these shortcomings! And am I still in need of some rehabilitation from my present lifestyle that still excludes these things? In that nobody wants to tell it like it is or call a spade a spade about these pedophilic sacraments of the catholic church and its hierarchy it certainly must be so. What say you all to this?????????????


Member: ChuckM
Location: Alberta
Date: 5/9/2002
Time: 2:23:54 AM

Comments

I'm Chuck, an alcoholic

Faye S please read page 552 Big Book. It tells us how to cease to resent. It seems utterly ridiculous what it says, but remember we have to do things differently now.

Please remember we are ceasing to resent for our own peace of mind, not the other person. They are sleeping soundly (#$@%^*) Now let us be free by following the directions.

Peace and Serenity


Member: Rich P
Location: Colorado
Date: 5/9/2002
Time: 5:15:52 PM

Comments

((Kenny B)) I am sorry you were hurt by the Catholic church. I too carry some scars from some very negative nuns, but my some total is still positive. The church is made of people and people are not perfect, and yes some are even pedophiles, but most are pretty decent.

Now to the topic. Humility. Asking. Awareness of our own shortcomings. I am amazed that it is simply there for the asking. I am even more amazed that someone would not ask.

Thanks to all of you for a sober day today.


Member: Paul
Location:
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 3:55:40 AM

Comments

Paul, Alcoholic I am 11 yrs 8 mo sober. During this period I have only shared with some close friends and my sponsor that which I am going to share now. I am very stirred up by what Kenny commented about. I was raped as a young boy in the Baptist church. I too, on numerous occasions expressed sentiments such as the ones posted by Kenny. These people paraded around in church with impunity telling everyone how they loved Jesus and how Jesus loved them. What a bunch of "BS". I believed that God was allowing them to do this to me, annd as a result I believed that God was not worth a pot to piss in! I hated, truly hated everything about God. And I drank and drugged myself into oblivion for the next 28 years trying to relieve the torment. I attempted to stop drinking and using on several occassions with the help of therapists. But that was always the same. 1 hour on wednesday, happy hour on thursday ( why is it that bars only promise ONE happy hour?). Iwas faced with the dilema that many alcoholics face; I hate God and my last refuge is AA or suicide. It should be apparent that my suicide attempt failed.

I got to AA, I don't know how or why because it was not where I wanted to end up. And all I need to know now is that this is where I am. Shortcomings, character defects, yes I've got them all.. But how or why I have them is no longer the issue, nor was it ever truly relevant. My character defects were and are defense mechanisms against the pain of abusive situations. But at some point they turned against me. I would lie out of shame and fear. I would cheat because I knew that I would never be Successful, nor did I deserve to be. And I would steal whatever I could. i just wanted what everybody else had and could see no other way to get it.

As the result of the twelve steps I se now how I used the reprehensible actions taken against me to build a life of negativity. I was using the wrongdoings of others to justify and rationalize my own "BS". I wanted everyone I met to feel as sorry for me as I felt for myself. And I wanted everyone to hate God as much as I hated God.

HOW, (honesty, openess, and willingness) is how I dealt with the God thing. I have come to the conclusion that I was confusing God for a human instution. People, especially me, and their instutions are not God. I have also come to know a loving god that is not allied with any sect or denomination. Pedophilia is a human problem. And for me, forgiveness is my only alternative. I do not condone or excuse those who have committed these heinous acts, for they will reap the consequences from the seeds of their own behaviors, and justly so.

And what is it that I am left to deal with? a whole bunch of character defects that exist only between my left and right ear. Which I know will be removed by the loving God of my own understanding, as long as I remain willing.


Member: Gage
Location: Louisiana
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 12:41:02 PM

Comments

I'm Gage, and I'm an alcoholic.

There is a man in my group who reminds folks that this step says humbly asked HIM to remove our shortcomings, not humbly asked Him to help US remove them. He says that he was like a child on a kiddy car ride. The car has all sorts of buzzers and bells and levers on it. The child can make the bells and buzzers sound, and pull all the levers, but these don't really do anything. The child thinks they do, but of course they don't. The car is on a track, and it isn't going anywhere but where the track takes it, no matter how many levers the child pulls, or how many bells he rings. When we take this step, then, he says, we accept that God is running the show, and we ask him to take us as we are and make of us what he sees fit. And we stop acting like a child on a kiddy car ride. I like that analogy. Thanks, Staying Cyber, for letting me share it here.


Member: Joe P.
Location: Chicago
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 2:48:49 PM

Comments

Tradition # 10 states "Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Kenny B: When you ask for opinions about pedophilic practices in the Catholic Church, you are asking us to violate the 10th tradition. But I pray that you find whatever healing you need through AA and your Higher Power.

Now on topic: Step 7 - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Humility - what I know about humility is that I frequently display a complete lack of it. I like my sponsor's definition - having proper perspective of ourselves. For me, this step is about asking for a lot of help from God for all my defects and thanking God regularly for the wonderful gifts in my life which are present only by His grace. Ask for a little help, get a little help. Ask for a lot of help, get a lot of help. Thanks for all the comments.


Member: TMG
Location: North
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 3:19:40 PM

Comments

Paul:

You say much in your comments above! This god you hate is not "God as we understood Him," in your case! So if this human institutional or churchdom of man god is not at all like the "God as we understood him," for I understand that this God just would not let His name be associated with these nauseating false doctrines of false-prophets and perverts who after being exposed in their loathsome nakedness try to cover things over with words such as used by Rich P. of Colorado! The ãGod as I understood Him,ä says in Matthew 7:15-20: "Beware of false prophets, who approach you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit! Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits ye shall know them!ä So who is this god you hate? He is the god of this world, who is the devil and all his legions of scum in both the spirit and the flesh! Then we read in Billâs Story, ãWith ministers, and the world's religions, I parted right there. When they talked of a God personal to me, who was love, superhuman strength and direction, I became irritated and my mind snapped shut against such a theory. To Christ I conceded the certainty of a great man, not too closely followed by those who claimed Him. His moral teaching most excellent. For myself, I had adopted those parts which seemed convenient and not too difficult; the rest I disregarded. The wars which had been fought, the burnings and chicanery that religious dispute had facilitated, made me sick. I honestly doubted whether, on balance, the religions of mankind had done any good. Judging from what I had seen in Europe and since, the power of God in human affairs was negligible, the Brotherhood of Man a grim jest. If there was a Devil, he seemed the Boss Universal, and he certainly had me.ä

So this confirms what you say from two different sources that AAâs in recovery are involved with, unless of course you have nothing to do with the True Living God who created all things, and wish to argue your nakedness such as the catholic church tries to do! I for one would rather be dead than be a practicing catholic, baptist or any of the other hypocritical denominations that worship this god of this world!

See http://geocities.com/tmgnorth/hpp.html


Member: greg w
Location: N W USA
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 3:47:30 PM

Comments

hello, greg here, gratefully recovering alcholic, I could not ask him to remove my shortcomings because I thought I did not have any untill everybody else pointed them out to me in a rather rude fashion. What I did not understand is that my shortcomings were as visible as the sun at noon day. I can now acknowledge that my shortcomings are being removed daily with his help


Member: Judi
Location: Texas
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 4:32:40 PM

Comments

Hello to all..I am an alcoholic that so wants to NOT drink anymore, and I need too find the support of fellow addicted folks..My husband and I both drink, so it is not a happy marriage, after 13 years...but still have hope if we stop the cycle. Thanks..is there a chat room here?or meetings?


Member: Shannon T.
Location: CA
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 9:10:14 PM

Comments

Thank you Joe. I would like to say again " we have no opinion on outside issues"

To Judi in Texas. Please call information for "AA" and they can put you in contact with someone that can direct you to a meeting in your area. Today. It's Friday and I bet there is a late meeting somewhere close by.

On Step 7- I did this step 14-years ago but the last two years of my soberity have been hard. I have fallen back into EGO ( I like that " edged God out) That is SO TRUE. I moved to an area away from my support group and cut way back on my meetings. I feel like I am doing Step 7 every day, these days. And so I should. I am one of those people that really do NEED to say the 7th Step prayer every day and GET ON MY KNEES- and pray to a Higher Power, of my understanding. I have not had a drink in almost 15 years yet the "ism" is always with me and it is true, the road does get narrower.


Member: Shannon T.
Location: CA
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 9:11:32 PM

Comments

Thank you Joe. I would like to say again " we have no opinion on outside issues"

To Judi in Texas. Please call information for "AA" and they can put you in contact with someone that can direct you to a meeting in your area. Today. It's Friday and I bet there is a late meeting somewhere close by.

On Step 7- I did this step 14-years ago but the last two years of my soberity have been hard. I have fallen back into EGO ( I like that " edged God out) That is SO TRUE. I moved to an area away from my support group and cut way back on my meetings. I feel like I am doing Step 7 every day, these days. And so I should. I am one of those people that really do NEED to say the 7th Step prayer every day and GET ON MY KNEES- and pray to a Higher Power, of my understanding. I have not had a drink in almost 15 years yet the "ism" is always with me and it is true, the road does get narrower.


Member: Deborah R
Location: New Jeresy
Date: 5/10/2002
Time: 10:52:39 PM

Comments

Hi! My name is Deborah R. All the comment that I have read on step 7 have been very enlighting I would like to thank every one for opening up my eyes of understanding on how to do some work on this step ,and thank you all for reminding me how important it is to go to meeting and stay connected to sober people. thanks for sharing .


Member: Anonymous Alcoholic
Location: 2689 Ridgecrest Drive
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 6:25:47 AM

Comments

Step 7 reminds me that I don't control my character defects, just like I don't control my addictions. I know when I finally gave up control over my addictions, things got better real quick. I need to remember that and be more willing to give up control over my character defects today. Thanks.


Member: Celeste K
Location: NV
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 11:11:34 AM

Comments

Hi, I'm a recovering alcoholic. I have not been to a meeting in over two years. Praise HP that a dear friend of mine steered me to this web site.


Member: Celeste K
Location: NV
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 11:18:07 AM

Comments

Hi, I'm a recovering alcoholic. I have not been to a meeting in over two years. Praise HP that a dear friend of mine steered me to this web site.


Member: Jim F
Location: Guilin, China
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 6:05:32 PM

Comments

Celeste, I will never forget the meeting I once attended where someone who had not been to a meeting for 10 years came to bring his neighbor who had asked for help. Both of them stayed.

Higher Power at work? I guess so!

Jim from Sequim


Member: anne
Location: pa
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 7:37:16 PM

Comments

What a great meeting. This site has changed from the last time I visited a few months ago. I related to Shannon T. I too moved away from my support system and cut down on meetings. By the grace of God I am still sober but not without the pain that creeps back when I fall back into edging God out. I'm so greatful for this program of AA. Thank you for sharing your experiences, strength and hope.


Member: anne
Location: pa
Date: 5/11/2002
Time: 7:37:45 PM

Comments

What a great meeting. This site has changed from the last time I visited a few months ago. I related to Shannon T. I too moved away from my support system and cut down on meetings. By the grace of God I am still sober but not without the pain that creeps back when I fall back into edging God out. I'm so greatful for this program of AA. Thank you for sharing your experiences, strength and hope.


Member: Bill
Location: Florida
Date: 5/12/2002
Time: 10:03:26 AM

Comments

Bill here, a partially recovered, yet recovering alcoholic. One thing I did at this point of my recovery was to do a little math. Since there are seven deadly sins leading to the myriad character defects, and then seven opposing positive attributes I started a little calculation. Seven to the seventh power comes to 823,543 possible combinations of defects. Then there are also 823,543 possible positive attributes. Now there are some 6 BILLION (count them) PLUS human beings on this planet, and an infinite number of combinations of possible interactions. Sooooooooooo, I by myself am going to somehow MASTER all the possibilities and somehow attain PERFECTION? Or for that matter, OVERCOME my own actions and reactions to become a better and more perfect being? Looking at it from this perspective it only makes sense to call on a Higher Power (the creator) the one who put all this in motion in the first place for the strenght and guidance and energy necessary to deal with it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Only God can do for me what I cannot do for myself. But I must first recognize the magnitude and hoplessness of the situation and then be WILLING to ask for His help.


Member: Paul R
Location:
Date: 5/12/2002
Time: 1:21:10 PM

Comments

Hi Paul alcholic sober today by the grace of God and the fellowship of you people.Faye the Big Book tells much about resentment you most find acceptance for you hurt no one but Faye if this threatens your soberiety maybe you need to distance yourself from him and yes your loved one also, until you can put these things in gods hands.On the Topic keep it simple the important thing is to know your shortcomings recognize them and ask god for help when trying to change god bless you all Thanks!