Step Six, Week Two: May 22nd, 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 does it mean to you to be entirely ready to have your character defects removed? What would you be doing in your day-to-day life if you were entirely ready, and what would you stop doing?
2. The recovery literature teaches us that our character strengths will rush in to expand and fill the space in our personalities formerly occupied by our character defects. Make a list of your character strengths. Which of your character strengths do you believe will be heightened and expanded by the removal of which of your character defects? (Excerpted from http://12-steps-recovery.com’s Step Six worksheet.)
3. Make a list of everything you would like changed about yourself. Include on it the things you would like to stop doing, things you would like to start doing, any family-of-origin work you’d like to accomplish, things you’d like to get and have. Put everything you’d think of on the list, everything you’d like to be part of your future. {Moderator’s note: please share your list with the group as you are willing and able.} Then put the list away and let go of everything on it. (From “Codependents’ Guide” with Melody Beattie’s permission.)
4. Do you believe it’s safe to trust {your Higher Power} and this process called recovery? (From “Codependents’ Guide” with Melody Beattie’s permission.)

Deep Dive questions:

A. Am I willing to let go of all my defects of character? Why or why not?

B. Which ones would I prefer to hold onto? What advantages do I see in holding onto them?

C. Which defects of character also contain assets?

D. How can I look at all of these characteristics from a fresh point of view today?

E. How do I trust and feel confident that my Higher Power is there for me?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook