By: Mike H.
GHOD

The best description of a shortcoming for me is as if that defect is a flat tire. Then my shortcoming is me driving on that tire. I’ve heard It said that this step separates the men from the boys or the women for the girls. What that means to me is that we are ready to let go of all negative behaviors without reservation.

Humility is the principal and the key to this step and this step is essential if I expect to make any significant and lasting changes in my life. I have made countless vain attempts that prove I can’t do it on my own. My awareness of my defects caused me pain and acting out on them even more pain. When I see the hurt in my friends or loved ones eyes as I act out on one of my less endearing defects, I get to feeling sick inside knowing how my actions have affected people in my life. I’m sick of being that person and I want to grow and it’s about time for my ass to grow up.

Today, I think I am changing because I can see beyond my own interests. I am concerned about the feelings of others. I’m beginning to take full responsibility for my actions today. I can’t just say “Well God hasn’t removed that defect from me yet” or “I’m powerless over my defects and that’s just the way I’m going to be” Because, that’s such a cop out. I completely accept responsibility for my behaviors good, bad or indifferent. I can no longer use my drug use or me just being an asshole as an excuse to be irresponsible.

Don’t get me wrong I still think sometimes that it would be much easier to manipulate the outcome or avoid consequences but the price I pay is great. My spiritual contentment far outweighs anything I might gain by compromising my principles.

Step 7 is where our attitude changes. We humbly care less about ourselves and more about others. The whole emphasis of Step 7 is on humility. It’s really all about being willing to try humility in seeking the removal of our shortcomings the same as we did when we admitted that we were powerless over our addiction to drugs and came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. If that amount of humility could remove the obsession to use, then there has to be hope that it will help me with any shortcoming we have. This is a lifelong process but I have to remember I only live in the present day one day at a time.