Mark S

Our Topic on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 will be on Step 8, Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

The Twelve and Twelve tells us that “the whole emphasis of Step Seven is on humility.”  We first looked at humility in the Third Step when we made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.  Without some humility, no alcoholic can stay sober, no Al-Anon can stay serene.  Our experience has shown us that without humility, we cannot live a purposeful life.  AA teaches us that a useful life is one in the service of others.  This may be a bit tricky for the Al-Anon since we so often are worried about others that we forget about ourselves.

Bill Wilson explains humility this way, “As long as we placed self-reliance first, genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question.  That basic ingredient of humility is a desire to seek and do God’s will.”  When we live life run on self will, humility is missing.  Humility, we discover, is not something to re resisted, but something to be accepted.  

Bill Wilson wrote that the process of accepting humility “was unbelievably painful.  It was only by repeated humiliations that we were forced to learn something about humility.”  Taking the Third Step was a bold example of spiritual humility because it was a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.  With the Seventh Step, we have an opportunity to put that decision into practice by asking God to do something specific for us.  We are humbly asking God to remove our character defects.  We are saying your will, not mine.   But we must accept the terms, conditions, and timetable that our Higher Power has in mind.

Call us at 1-734-288-7510 or tap Speakpipe

Join the Chat Room, Tap Live stream and Chat Room

email at mark@recoveredcast.com

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The Big Book

The 12 and 12

24 Hours a Day

We conducted a survey so that our listeners can help us understand this step

We posed the question, “What does humble mean to you?”

The possible responses were …

https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/eZfqbdNAalFL8WtGq8cIf7nLG1usZk4JSs8edkIhoFw_3D’

What is interesting is that this survey proves that we people in a 12-step recovery program have our own language.

The possible responses I provided in the survey sent to our listeners came directly from the definition of humble in the dictionary.

But “other” was the second most popular response.

In other words, being humble means something different to AAs than normal people.

So ,? let’s discuss how we understand this step and how humility plays a role.

What does it mean to you to be humble?

How are you humble?  How can I become more humble?

What does the term “humbly ask” mean to you?

Before program, what did you think of humility? Was it a positive/negative?

Before program, did you experience humiliation?

What is the difference between humility and humiliation?

What are “our shortcomings?”

How is Step 3 related to Step 7?

How does acceptance relate to Step 7?

What is the Seventh Step Prayer?

The Seventh Step Prayer
from page 76 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
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 and my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here,
to do Your bidding.
Amen

What does it mean to you that God “should have all of me, good and bad?”

In this prayer, character defects stand in the was of being useful to others and God.  What does this mean to you?

What does it mean to you “to do your bidding?”

We  have Calls

Kurt

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_DSgX5xQO_ctfgHN07nOiGUFPnVMMmKN_kVq06FWPA9D3oeaxiMOLEiOvSYb_LPSZrHnbWALRGYhmkFmwtcLJuOzDPIgMTY3TcxLta-tKAkVQXhOPXHoAc2e_BTS8QmwFl6araH0SAucKZSwK36ivPcsiMbRw

Scott

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_AjH-QjECcwXnaO3e8HC9BiBF65sxdPXyb-TWrJBSMP8XMDXq5fj1oR6S4g0Btwcf1WOtZ1DFDen0oUMl1A4t4FgLLr0XiaBgQO5fD1KI864-jU19ap6XCO_zWuOyokPG4caWI0qDmbQpnDe1l7t7FytHhoxg

Clyde from Shelby Township

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_CRVTLspvpZnBbDFlvc0KukAlaeMeLlAOrKFx3TgYNzi6bnDWT1AoJQZSGsBZCx2UyWSwYfujNOJaXz-20NZWbMNOhf69jSkFqc8iCjJApR8andkti12TGR4ZDfRIZs3GkNqAJDqdpu6cs7_yASlf7F4wcLNQ

Tony

https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Russ

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/153104558a23eb60?projector=1

Alex

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_An1NUf9Ezj_Sg_R0A9vvVf-5sHs5zSWuBqGgniquJmBcAKDJToW5XBp0tK5MHAh13UxE6Ufo-k7wAAlLcWd-RMEtEeHC1IYKn3RtYHIHV_vt2SVAtGNBrQMFKRxojoYaFx2EHf5DWevttD0vh9EMIxXbaUfQ

How about now, have you been humiliated in recovery?

Is there a difference in how you responded to humiliated between before and after program?

What would you say to the new person faced with Step 7 for the first time?

Check out this episode!

Our topic on Tuesday will be on Step 7, humbly asked Him to remove all these defects of character. Take our survey and help us prepare for the show.

Just click HERE to take our one question survey.

Thanks for helping us tailor the show to your needs.

Are you experienced, or do you know someone in the program who is experienced,  in social media marketing?  Join us and help us manage our social media properties.  This could be the 12-step work that you have been looking for.

On Tuesday, February 23, 2016, The Recovery Topic is Step 7.  Humbly asked Him to remove all these defects of character.

The Twelve and Twelve tells us that “the whole emphasis of Step Seven is on humility.” We first looked at humility in the Third Step when we made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. Without some humility, no alcoholic can stay sober. Our experience has shown us that without humility, we cannot live a purposeful life. AA teaches us that a useful life is one in the service of others.

Bill Wilson explains humility this way, “As long as we placed self-reliance first, genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. That basic ingredient of humility is a desire to seek and do God’s will.” When we live life run on self will, humility is missing. Humility, we discover, is not something to re resisted, but something to be accepted.

Bill Wilson wrote that the process of accepting humility “was unbelievably painful. It was only be repeated humiliations that we were forced to learn something about humility.” Taking the Third Step was a bold example of spiritual humility because it was a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. With the Seventh Step, we have an opportunity to put that decision into practice by asking God to do something specific for us. We are humbly asking God to remove our character defects. We are saying your will, not mine. But we must accept the terms, conditions, and timetable that our Higher Power has in mind.

What is humility?

What is the difference between humility and humiliation?

Recovered Podcast is live online every Tuesday at 6:30 pm EST as we record the show. Join the fun and be part of the show.  If you would like to listen to the live stream of the show on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm EST, just tap Recovered Chat and Live Stream

Click Show Notes so you can prepare for this week’s show!

Call us at 1-734-288-7510 or tap Speakpipe

Join the Chat Room, Tap Live stream and Chat Room

email at mark@recoveredcast.com

Subscribe to Premium

Get daily recovery messages Daily AA Emails.  

The Big Book

The 12 and 12

24 Hours a Day

Check out this episode!

Step 6 addresses the issue of our readiness to have removed the defects of character we identified in Step 4.  After the hard work of the previous two steps, this step seems quick and easy.  Not much is required in terms of action, but our experience is that a great deal is required both emotionally and spiritually.  Ultimately, this Step asks us if we are willing to behave different.

If we do not recognize a problem, we cannot solve it.  Working Step 6 allows us to see our problem clearly.  This Step focuses our attention on our willingness to give up defects of character, even defects that we enjoy.  But we know that all character defects can lead us back to our addictions, even the character defects that we like.  Step 6 allows us the ability to see even those pleasurable defects and ncourages us to find a spiritual solution.

Call us at 1-734-288-7510 or tap Speakpipe

Join the Chat Room, Tap Live stream and Chat Room

email at mark@recoveredcast.com

Subscribe to Premium

Get daily recovery messages Daily AA Emails.

The Big Book

The 12 and 12

24 Hours a Day

We conducted a survey of our listeners this week.

We simply asked, “Have you worked step 6?”

Let’s look at the results

Listener Survey Results

Let’s start with you ??,

what was your initial reaction to his step early in your program and

What was your understanding of this step?

What does the term “defects of character” mean to you?

Coming off of Step 5, what are some of the character defects that you wanted to be rid of?

As you were working Step 6, what character defect did you want to hold onto?

What problems have your favorite character defect caused you?

What does it mean to be “entirely ready”?

Why do you need God’s help and why can’t you rely on self-will?

How is the removal of character defect related to the restoration of your sanity?

If someone is not willing, how can they become willing?

We Have Calls

Mandy

https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Alex

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_DhJbhgObrJ8TjXMRXNIP_fSEmckhxO9NcGAYsuxmmAAnfQ6Tmf2tzEp3HOVwj3Qt6GX3fl54jmqTrlRxlttWJkTLe2h2OMfC8zAyQswFQF7ijzD4SYV7gy0O-nxLYLZjIw5OSJKsiedQ9sPpDrm-sJfXcmOg

Mark G

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_Df_QsD9d2ZRQ1JtTvVxtS7gao_9nE3EDd20H88eehpvbAZl09FwBzPQh0-ND_U4juWvs0R-7e1kQQ3fvcuKBYLXC2bHy8NqyYMO1HCVNqnS5ezzx6wNnPPLXsjYk2q1BP5DeUgkAJsiM3g4ZjTIDOkyfnE4Q

Justin P

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_DP2-urAI2D1OmMgW7hmXpdMlJSmDpVMuzmf1s61BIvOeLd-CLVX_ZHsTuBWhopWm88mad_n5UVl3U_gZTt4Wrnd9_QVrQ7scKGqn2GVjLJd2QEiWrCccxx9WsiY5VJqHbbbTfq4_zH-fvvPdC9G-lglPQpcA

Chris S.

https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Clyde

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_DKqeGgeXjded4vbXmNxrjJN5KZGIhy7p4_kOn9DWx8FZ-fKhap3TgNtDcnCPfuiVOI7M6g8y2wWmkEq2sfpC1_32F67-Tr1gYtHqJvUzJCaRWq67aszIRWv9i6bmh8EeQKNVpxnehXDfg6BRYliaXgTbeW6A

Russ and Linda

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/152ebb40edd8e237?projector=1

What would you say to the new person faced with Step 6 for the first time?

Check out this episode!

Step 6 address the issue of our readiness to have removed the defects of character we identified in Step 4. After the hard work of the previous two steps, this step seems quick and easy. Not much is required in terms of action, but a great deal is required emotionally and spiritually. This Step asks us whether we are willing or not to to behave different.

If we do not recognize a problem, we cannot solve it. Step 6 allows us to see the problem.  Step 6 focuses our attention on our willingness to give up defects of character, even defects that we enjoy. But we know that all character defects can lead us back to our addictions, even the character defects that we like. Step 6 allows us the ability to see even those pleasurable defects and encourages us to find a spiritual solution.

Let’s talk about this solution.  Tap Speakpipe (especially if you are outside the Unites States) or call 1-734-288-7510 and answer the following question(s):

What are some of the character defects that you wanted to be rid of?
What character defect did you want to hold onto?

Recovered Podcast is live online every Tuesday at 6:30 pm EST as we record the show.  Join the fun and be part of the show.

If you would like to listen to the live stream of the show on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 6:30 pm EST, just tap Recovered Chat and Live Stream

Click Show Notes so you can prepare for this week’s show!