Perhaps there is more to Step Seven than meets the eye. We forget the call to action in the Seventh Step Prayer.
In this essay, I contend that removing defects is not passive. We take actions; we don’t merely leave it to God.
Andy Crooks writing as Andy C
by Andy C 5 Comments
Do Column #1 first. Brain dump of names, institutions and principles that are on your mind. Just put the names down. Do the columns first. Then when you have run out of steam on Column #1, and there are fewer and fewer names, turn to Column #2. And in Column #2 it is just the facts. Not your feelings. Just the facts. And you may find that more names for Column #1 are occurring. Put them down. And some names may have blanks, blanks where you say, “I cannot think of why this name is here.” Just move on. Then turn to Column #3. Use your own words. Don’t limit your words to phrases that you have read. Be honest. Last, Column #4 and #5. Again, use your own words and keep an open mind. I have included phrases like “they did not respect me enough.” In Column #5 tease out the words that describe the defects.
by Andy C 4 Comments
My annual inventory is complete. I have had a Fifth Step confessional conversation with my spiritual advisor. We have identified the Exact Nature of the Defects and Wrongs. Now I can start to ponder the Causes and Conditions. With prayerful consideration, I think about actions that I can take which will change my thinking and attitudes; actions that are measurable. This sets me up for a quarterly review, which I can enter into my calendar. Â Each Quarter I can review progress and pray for direction.
The famous twenty questions of AA have helped millions self-identify as alcoholics. Twenty Questions.2 is an attempt to help self-identified alcoholics who are drifting. Some years in the program, but no growth in the last while. Like the original, the number of questions you answer ‘yes’ is the key. Answer two questions in the affirmative, you should be concerned, answer three and you should take action.