Recovering from addiction and making significant life changes is a challenging journey. However, with a commitment to personal growth and support from others, it is certainly possible to transform one’s life for the better. The 12 Steps program of Alcoholics Anonymous provides a proven framework for addressing addictive and self-destructive behaviors at their root causes.
Specifically, working through Step 7 encourages identifying character defects, asking God or a higher power to remove them, and continuing to improve as a person each day.
- Humility
The path of recovery and personal development starts with humility. Humility means being honest about admitting one’s mistakes and weaknesses without justification or excuses. Only in humility, without a self-centred approach, can someone clearly see where changes into healthy patterns need to be made.
Humility also includes the willingness to accept that defects are not surmountable by might but by aid from a Power greater than oneself. Such humble acceptance of powerlessness over flaws is the foundation for actual change. In the 7th Step Prayer, one is implored to seek divine aid to eliminate character defects. This prayer underlines the requisite levels of surrender and willingness to effect change. Thus, an equivalent position is necessitated in spiritual hand-holding regarding personal failings.
- Acceptance of Imperfection
Also, humility is acceptance of one’s imperfections. Being human involves character defects, so the goal is not to reach flawless perfection but to continue relatively improving. With self-acceptance as a work in progress, the stress and frustration from unrealistic expectations disappear.
What is more, one may take the attitude of paying attention to incremental refinement instead of looking for instant perfection. Compassionately accepting a person’s inadequacy perspective reduces self-criticism, and the process may naturally run its course in time.
- Community Support
No one can complete Step 7 or stay in recovery alone. This is why community involvement and accountability hold power in this journey. Connecting with others brings needed encouragement, perspective, and shared experience for life-transforming good.
Whether through meetings, sponsorship, service work, or sober socializing, holding the hand of another who is dedicated to the exact cause of recovery and growth amplifies the strength within. A community can also buffer against loneliness and denial, spotlighting one’s behaviors and triumphs. Depending on each other for empathy and support deters a relapse into character defects, encouraging self-improvement from collaboration and camaraderie.
- Continuous Self-Assessment
True transformation is an ongoing process that requires consistent self-reflection. By frequently taking a personal inventory of actions, reactions, and feelings in various situations, one gains awareness of habitual responses rooted in character defects. With this enhanced self-knowledge through daily review, problem areas that need addressing are pinpointed, and positive changes are noted.
Thoughtfully assessing oneself, looking not just at outward behaviors but inward motives and feelings, allows defects to be shed gradually through consciously choosing improved alternatives. Progress may seem slow, but steady self-assessment keeps growth ongoing.
- Spiritual Growth
A vital part of working with Step 7 is cultivating a spiritual approach to life. While one’s higher power or God can be defined individually, connecting to something greater provides direction, purpose, and support that is free from self-will. Engaging in prayer, meditation, nature, acts of service, or spiritual community helps lift one out of isolated egoism.
From this enhanced spiritual viewpoint, one sees oneself and others with more empathy, patience, and forgiveness. As the relationship with a higher power deepens, character defects lose their power through surrendered will and increased discernment.
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- Building Character
One becomes prepared to begin developing those positive character attributes through humility, acceptance, spirituality, and self-reflection. Going through Step 7 is not merely about releasing the flaws but taking personal action to develop virtues in their place on an ongoing basis. Such could be gaining patience through the release of anger, becoming more selfless as a result of achieving generosity or quitting being deceitful to embrace honesty.
Besides, it builds solid ground for changing flawed thinking patterns and acting over the long haul by installing good character traits. Daily reinforcement of virtues through dedication is built by the choices made and actions taken. Building a strong character reaps lifelong benefits.
- Living with Intention
The ultimate goal of Step 7 is to guide each day with renewed purpose and direction thoughtfully. Having worked through identifying core character flaws and actively developing new strengths in their place, one aims to choose a higher road whenever possible. This intentional approach requires planning for high-risk situations, prioritizing positive daily habits, and carefully considering how to uplift others.
Living purposefully brings meaning while preventing past mistakes. Helping others through living and working the solution, not just avoiding problems, becomes a priority. With intention-driving actions and attitudes from moment to moment, character defects lose their ability to disrupt life or drag one down again. Instead, life can be increasingly rich with fulfillment.
Final Thoughts
Step 7 of AA’s 12 Steps provides a practical framework for true personal transformation when undertaken with dedication, courage, and community support. By embracing humility, accepting imperfection, cultivating spirituality, thoughtfully self-assessing, intentionally building virtue, and relying on others, one develops the tools to shed self-destructive behaviors and release their underlying character defects.
Working this step opens the door to living life on a higher plane—with direction, resilience through challenges, and the freedom and wisdom that come only from the continuous growth of heart and soul. Though the journey is lifelong, each day presents rich opportunities to become the best version of oneself through applying these principles of recovery and character development.