Step Seven, Week Two: June 5th, 2024

This week’s reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 124-130 OR BRB pages 217 – 226

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 Six (the tradition for the month of June) in depth starting on page 518 of the BRB

Suggested supplemental reading:

“Drop The Rock: Removing Character Defects ~ Steps Six and Seven” by Bill P., Todd W., and Sarah S., page 57-91 (the Step Seven 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 Seven chapter, pages 107-115 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 are excerpted from the Step Seven worksheet on http://12-steps-recovery.com:

1. Where do you feel most supported and helped in your strivings for recovery? What person, situation, event, or thought restores your hope? Is there a way to maximize those influences? If so, then how?
2. What are you grateful for?
3. When do you think that life has been especially good for you? When did you have the greatest joy?
4. What would you do if you were granted three wishes?
5. Describe in detail what you think that your life will be like with your defects of character removed from you. What do you think that you can do to leave the world a better place and accomplish your mission in life?

Deep Dive questions:

A. What old behaviors get in the way of my being humble?

B. How do I humbly ask my Higher Power to take my shortcomings?

C. What can I do to cooperate with my Higher Power in removing my shortcomings?

D. What positive trait do I want to develop or substitute for a trait I want to eliminate?

E. Am I able to see challenges as opportunities to practice new character traits?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook