Step 6: Acceptance

Dateline: 09/09/98

The key to Step 6 is acceptance -- accepting character defects exactly as they are and the willingness to let them go.

Step 6
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

After identifying shortcomings and admitting to them by working Step 4 and 5, the next step forces members of 12-step recovery groups to ask themselves if they are really willing to give up some of those faults. After all, some of them have been around so long, they are like old friends. They have been comfortable.

But if the previous steps have been done thoroughly and honestly, many times facing the truth can bring a measure of guilt, which is a great motivation to become "entirely ready" to have those shortcomings removed. As with all the steps, the ability to become ready comes from a higher power.

Visitors to the bulletin board here at the About Alcoholism site have offered their insights into working this step, as our study of the 12 Traditions and 12 Steps continues:

More about Step 6

Getting Humble
"The only avenue to redemption was by making amends, but first, I had to ask HP to remove my defects?"

Growing Up
"I asked God to remove the compulsion to drink, he did. How can I not ask for help with learning a better way of life?."

Index of 12 Steps and Traditions Study

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