Pray and Then Work

[honeydumplin]

7th Step

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Experience has shown, that my character defects,
when placed on a sheet of paper before me,
are better revealed. On paper, my awareness of
them increases. Often the defects that I cling to
the most, are the same ones that surface at the
most inconvenient occasions.

Set side by side with the opposite of what the
defect is, gives me a goal to pray about and
work toward. Similar to the recovery from
alcohol and drugs, this exposure provides
a groundwork where a gradual abstinence starts
to take root, and in its filter (an antonym),
growth can take place, so that I no longer have
a desire to repeat them.

It doesn't mean that these defects cover the gamut for
me, or any fellow alcoholics in general, but simply implies
that these defects are mine, and have been identified as
something I no longer chose to have.

As for me personally, I didn't know it at the time,
but in th third step, when I made a decision to turn
my will and life over to the care of God
as I understand Him, I asked for this to happen.

Since I'm only human, and fall short daily, I cannot expect
perfection, but when humbly asking God to have the defect
removed, and practicing the opposite, a change can occur.
Thus, the following is an interesting exercise, strongly
suggested by a sponsor.

Defects: Practice:
Arrogant Modesty
Bigotry Open mindness
Condescending Uplifting
Defiant Obedience
Extreme Mild
Fearful Faithful
Grandiose Unpretentious
Hypersensitive Calm
Impatient Serene
Judgmental Reasonable
Klutzy Graceful
Lust Respect
Melodramatic Calculating
Negative Positive
Opinionated Non-controversial
Procrastination Punctual
Quarrelsome Acceptance
Rationalizing Responsible
Sarcasm Forthright
Temperamental Consistent
Unfocused Focused
Volatile Quiet
White-washable Honest
Xenophobic Tolerant
Yammering Serious
Zealot Compassionate

For me, Humility is an exclusive, and an all-inclusive, self-admission of knowing
that I don't know, combined with a willingness and a yearning for that which is
unknown. The unknown for me is the reversal of what I've always done.
Writing it down, and thinking about going in a different direction, is a process
that allows me the opportunity to change my perspective on perfection.
And letting go of shortcomings reveal flaws through which my imperfections
are realized.