Humility is absolutely needed for me to be able to “work” the Steps. In Step Seven we are urged to “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” The very first stumbling block I ran into on this Step was acknowledging that I have “shortcomings.” I called my sponsor and after she got done laughing, she said I should read my Fourth Step again, and search out my character defects, along with the opposite good traits, such as dishonesty/honesty. And I’ll be darned if I didn’t find a whole list of shortcomings and character defects, along with a list of my attributes. So it was a place to start, a place where I could begin to see my part in my life – I was not just a victim, I was also a participant in my life.
Another list that came from my Fourth Step was a list of persons I had harmed, in whatever way – and from there to becoming willing to make amends to them all. . . another vital Step on the road to recovery. But I digress, the subject is humility. To me humility meant coming to know that I am not the “master” of my life, that I have a Higher Power, one that has been trying diligently to direct me to the right path, for all of my life. The object in working Step Seven is to eliminate the negative behaviors, and to become aware of the positive traits I am now learning to embrace. I am blessed to have such guidance, along with the blessings of the A.A. Program.
THIS24 
Is it my free will that often makes me forget who’s in charge. I am not laways mindful of God and who’s in charge. I still take charge and hours go by without thinking of him. The only way to become more aware of who’s in charge is to practice praying and meditating which i still resist, rationalizing it takes away from my productivity because i have to pay my bills. I sit here this morning though thinking of him often, wondering if I’m going to church before work or go to work and miss church. I just called mr sponsor pants who rarely answers and this morning was no different. Alrighty then, I’m gonna go to work fer a while n maybe church which means no breakfast for me n momma. Maybe kayaking with lil missy n her momma later on. May I be mindful of him today. Prayers for my electronic buddies.
Thanks for the prayers Daniel…they are GLADLY accepted….going through it…xo
I pray today to be humble, helpful and hopeful, with His guidance.
If that’s too much for me today, because of my innate humanness and resistance, then I’ll still be loved and forgiven.
I pray to remember that.
Grateful for the gift.
Self will and control are big ones for this lady. I don’t think I can say it any better then 3-D. I am currently looking for work, bills need paying, and I’ve got to constantly “reboot” my brain and committee back to my Higher Power. I really need to recognize how much my Higher Power has taken care of my family’s needs these last 8 months of disability. Now heading back to somewhere new…I’ve got to trust that God is preparing the perfect place for me no matter what the time scale, the pay scale, and the outcomes. Good, bad or ugly my HP has got this…so I pray daily and meditate with a heart of gratitude.
Hang in there Renee. I’ve never been let down yet…although with my job this time…I totally understand what you’re saying. Hugs….headed to where that picture was taken today! Need to BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way…beautiful photo. 🙂
12
July
GIVING UP CENTER STAGE
For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. . . . Without it, they cannot live to much useful purpose, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 70
Why do I balk at the word “humility”? I am not humbling myself toward other people, but toward God, as I understand Him. Humility means “to show submissive respect,” and by being humble I realize I am not the center of the universe.
I like the understanding that humility is showing respect and I am not the center of the universe. This morning I prayed that I understand more of my character defects which exhibit through me in the way of impatience, intolerance, and being judgemental. Thank you all for your shares.
To me, humility means staying “teachable” and reminds me to keep going to f2f meetings. I tend to be somewhat apathetic, unfortunately.