Step Six, Week One: May 15th, 2024 

This week’s reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 117-123 OR BRB pages 207 – 216

Red Book pages 111-112, the heading titled “Character Defects vs. Laundry List Traits”

Red Book Chapter 8, “The Solution: Becoming Your Own Loving Parent” in full.

Recommended weekly reading:

“The Laundry List” or “The Problem,” “The Solution,” and “The Promises” on pages 587-591 of the Red Book or in the first several pages of the yellow workbook;

“The Twelve Steps” on pages 91-92 of the Red Book (also on pages 1-2 of the workbook); and

“The Twelve Traditions” on page 592 of the Red Book

Tradition Five (the tradition for the month of May) in depth starting on page 513 of the BRB

Suggested supplemental reading:

“Drop The Rock: Removing Character Defects ~ Steps Six and Seven” by Bill P., Todd W., and Sarah S., introduction through page 56 (the Step Six section.) See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”

Melody Beattie, “Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps,” the Step Six chapter, pages 97-106 of the 1990 edition. See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”

This week’s step study questions:

1. What are the hard-to-handle beliefs, behaviors, feelings, wants, or needs that you’re struggling with right now? {How can you} begin affirming that you are becoming ready to let go of these issues? (Excerpted from Melody Beattie’s copyrighted book, “Codependents’ Guide to the Twelve Steps.”)
2. How would it make your life different if you believed that you could just relax and let this process called recovery happen to you? (From “Codependents’ Guide” with Melody Beattie’s permission.)
3. Take some time to review the character defects that you wrote while doing our 4^th Step work. Is there one thing that stands out more than another?
4. Make a list of your character defects, from the most relevant (those that have the greatest impact on your life) to the least. Are there any defects you feel you are clinging to, reluctant to part with? Why? (Excerpted from http://12-steps-recovery.com’s Step Six worksheet.)

Deep Dive questions:

A. How do I know if I am ready?

B. If I am not entirely ready, how might I turn these fears over to the God of my understanding?

C. What fears block me from being entirely ready?

D. Can I ask my Higher Power for the willingness to be ready?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook