Blog entry for:
Wed, May 10, 2006 07:10:29 AM
∞ defects of character removal -- a lifetime process ∞
posted: Wed, May 10, 2006 07:10:29 AM
not a very happy thought, on this sunny morning, in fact more than a bit sobering :)). but is that a fact or just a possibility? the reading and the literature do not address the issue of how long this removal process will take and when i ask other members, the pat answer is "it will happen in GOD’s time."
that is when i want to scream and say "wot the fuck!?!" what i want is an answer or two and not more semi-mystical, side-stepping, psycho-babble bullshit. and that frustration with pat answers has forced me to seek some of my own, so that when i am asked the question, i can give a more satisfactory answer. in fact in my experience, i have found that the length of the removal process is directly related to the level of my willingness to surrender. the sixth step does not say that our character defects will be removed, what it does say is that i became (note the past tense) entirely willing to have them removed. it is in the seventh step that i do the work necessary for the garbage disposal process to happen -- humbly ask!
i guess ‘wot the fuck’ is not an expression of surrender or of humbly asking anyone, anything. so what is this addict to do?
well for one i can inventory my level of willingness. am i ENTIRELY ready to have ALL of my character defects removed? right here, right now, the best answer i can give is maybe. i am certainly tired of more than a few of them, like arrogance, conceit, judgementalness and being self-absorbed. but there might be one or two that i am still a bit fond of, even though i cannot name them at this moment. so in this brief two line inventory, i have answered the question -- yes i am ready to have my character defects as i see them removed. and the difference between what i say and what the step says is what turns this process into a lifetime of garbage disposal instead of a single cleansing flush! after all as a sponsee reminded me last night, i can only be who i am and trying to be someone else is counter-productive and really not the spiritual path i need or desire to travel today. so off to the showers to hurry up and wait for the delivery man to arrive (and the garbage to be taken out).
that is when i want to scream and say "wot the fuck!?!" what i want is an answer or two and not more semi-mystical, side-stepping, psycho-babble bullshit. and that frustration with pat answers has forced me to seek some of my own, so that when i am asked the question, i can give a more satisfactory answer. in fact in my experience, i have found that the length of the removal process is directly related to the level of my willingness to surrender. the sixth step does not say that our character defects will be removed, what it does say is that i became (note the past tense) entirely willing to have them removed. it is in the seventh step that i do the work necessary for the garbage disposal process to happen -- humbly ask!
i guess ‘wot the fuck’ is not an expression of surrender or of humbly asking anyone, anything. so what is this addict to do?
well for one i can inventory my level of willingness. am i ENTIRELY ready to have ALL of my character defects removed? right here, right now, the best answer i can give is maybe. i am certainly tired of more than a few of them, like arrogance, conceit, judgementalness and being self-absorbed. but there might be one or two that i am still a bit fond of, even though i cannot name them at this moment. so in this brief two line inventory, i have answered the question -- yes i am ready to have my character defects as i see them removed. and the difference between what i say and what the step says is what turns this process into a lifetime of garbage disposal instead of a single cleansing flush! after all as a sponsee reminded me last night, i can only be who i am and trying to be someone else is counter-productive and really not the spiritual path i need or desire to travel today. so off to the showers to hurry up and wait for the delivery man to arrive (and the garbage to be taken out).
∞ DT ∞
The views expressed on this page are solely the opinion of the author.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
Another Look!
∞ a state of readiness ∞ 218 words ➥ Tuesday, May 10, 2005 by: donnotδ my state of readiness grows in direct proportion to my awareness of my defects and the destruction they cause. δ 297 words ➥ Thursday, May 10, 2007 by: donnot
δ as i let go of my shortcomings and find their influence waning, Δ 368 words ➥ Saturday, May 10, 2008 by: donnot
δ my delusions about myself will disappear to be replaced by self-honesty and self-acceptance. δ 385 words ➥ Sunday, May 10, 2009 by: donnot
∃ i notice that a loving HIGHER POWER replaces my defects of character with quality attributes ∃ 486 words ➥ Monday, May 10, 2010 by: donnot
⇑ through the lens of STEP SIX, i get a good look at what these defects are doing ⇑ 539 words ➥ Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by: donnot
∂ i get a good look at what these defects are doing to my life ∂ 788 words ➥ Thursday, May 10, 2012 by: donnot
∝ my state of readiness to have my defects of character removed, ∝ 747 words ➥ Friday, May 10, 2013 by: donnot
≈ my basic nature changes, and i soon find ≈ 697 words ➥ Saturday, May 10, 2014 by: donnot
× as i grow, i notice that a loving GOD × 731 words ➥ Sunday, May 10, 2015 by: donnot
∲ begin to ∳ 689 words ➥ Tuesday, May 10, 2016 by: donnot
✊ on becoming ✌ 717 words ➥ Wednesday, May 10, 2017 by: donnot
🎜 self-honesty 🎝 429 words ➥ Thursday, May 10, 2018 by: donnot
💩 on longing 💨 685 words ➥ Friday, May 10, 2019 by: donnot
🔮 my delusions 🔮 653 words ➥ Sunday, May 10, 2020 by: donnot
🕴 my basic nature 🔬 521 words ➥ Monday, May 10, 2021 by: donnot
🍷 my desire 🍻 518 words ➥ Tuesday, May 10, 2022 by: donnot
😣 perseverance 😣 243 words ➥ Wednesday, May 10, 2023 by: donnot
🏚 the devastation 🏚 488 words ➥ Friday, May 10, 2024 by: donnot
☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge
Book 2
1) He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is
like an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts
will not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.