i’m Looking Up
Things Are Definitely Looking Up
i’m wrapping up Step 6 of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Program…
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
My super Sponsor who is older than dirt and wise beyond his years is not too keen on the whole self-flagellation thing and i must say i think anyone in AA who focuses on the negative doesn’t really get the program. It says in the literature that we are all about spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection. Hell, my perfectionism is what got me into trouble in the first place. i placed such high (no pun intended!) demands on myself that i needed alcohol to console me when i inevitably failed to live up to my own unrealistic expectations.
In order to demonstrate how entirely ready i am to remove my defects of character, my sponsor told me to write a list of what i was like when i drank and what i’m like sober so that i can have black & white evidence of how i’ve already started removing my defects of character and to encourage me to keep heading down this path.
i also decided to look at my Step 1 list again. In Step 1 (“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable”), i wrote down all of the ways in which my life had become unmanageable and i thought now would be a good time to see how far i’d grown.
In conclusion, i’m far from perfect but i’m better off than i was and everyday sees me stronger than the day before. i’m definitely looking up!
Posted on June 24, 2012, in AA Step Work, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Lessons in Recovery, Recovery, Toolbox and tagged AA, AA Step 1, AA Step 6, AA Steps, alcohol, Alcohol Recovery, alcoholic, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholics anonymous 12 step program, alcoholism, Gratitude, Gratitude list, perfectionism, Recovery, Self Hatred, Self Pity, spiritual progress, Step 6, Toolbox, What i learned in AA. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
You’re a whole different person, and what a wonderful person you have unveiled! It’s really interesting reading your lists, and so great to see how you’ve changed in sobriety. To be honest… I could’ve copied it and called it my own. As alcoholics, when drinking, we’re so alike.
You are a true inspiration Al K, I’m so glad I’ve found your footsteps to follow
)
Hi River,
It’s so true that a lot of us suffer from the same symptoms as we suffer from the same disease. As for an inspiration… i’m flattered, but it sounds strange to me as i’m just a guy who found out a way to make himself happier and followed it. But it sure is pleasant to walk that path with people like you at my side, good friend!
Keep coming back,
Al K Hall
You ARE looking up. What’s under a cement woman’s dress? Shucks, cement. Sorry to be late here … i’ve been helping my 90 year old dad pack up for his new life in Minnesota. Quite the experience. As usual, i’ve got a zit on my face. Now that i don’t have diseases to “protect” me when i go home …. i get cold sores and acne. Lord …
Glad you are doing so well.I bet it gets better and better. Always stuff to work on: Get THAT! mel
Cold sores and acne? You’re my all time favorite teen, Mel!
Thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot. And i’ll keep working on my stuff…
Keep coming back,
Al K Hall
Well, i certainly have the spirit of a teen … a Nirvana moment not intended … I WILL keep coming back. Thanks!
what a coincidence! I’m on step one, yet accidentally attended a step 6 meeting! And thanks for sharing your lists-especially the unmanageable one. It’s helped me to clarify some issues of my own.