Powerless! How far does it go? At least for alcohol there is no question in my mind or those, whom I know are living and practicing this program. Like a friend of mine says all the time: I am powerless over alcohol, whether I’m drinking it or not. Always.
But there are other forms of being powerless. People, places, and things, for example. But how about my character defects?
We wouldn’t need a Sixth and Seventh Step, if we weren’t powerless.
Tonight was a good example for me, concerning the Sixth Step. And what was it that everyone talked about? Of course, anger. The one thing everyone one of them said they needed to get a handle on. Some control. It became obvious, why we were discussing this Step tonight.
I’ve often thought of these two Steps as the Serenity Prayer. That which I can change: I can keep my mouth shut and my hands in my pocket. The things I can’t: that’s where I need my higher power. I’m powerless over anger, just as I was alcohol.
What relief I have gotten has come through the process of these Steps in my life. The same with the people talking tonight.
If I forget or get careless, these character defects are sure to come up within me and start to take over. Awareness of their presence is something I need to work on. Moreover, I have found that most of them are put into action through my emotions. Which makes it essential for me to learn to how to use my head and not my emotions to direct me. In other words to grow up emotionally.
Anyway, I was glad I was present for this meetings. It was a great reminder not to rest on my laurels. I know that no matter how long I live a sober life, I will never ever get to that level of perfection it would take to be free. I believe, just like with alcohol, we have a daily reprieve from these defects, depending on our spiritual condition. In other words, practicing these two Steps. Or at least trying to.
I better, because anyone of them could open the door to a drink. Talk about being powerless.