This week, the group progressed through chapter one, "Step Six," reading pages 10-24. We engaged in discussions about being prepared to let go of our character defects. Readiness begins with awareness, followed by acceptance, and culminates in surrender. Surrendering is an active choice. It requires us to be conscious of what we are surrendering. To ensure effective surrender, we should be prepared to facilitate the process, aligning our actions with the very things we choose to surrender.
"Step six involves facing ourselves, which can be a difficult process and can be even more difficult than being honest with another person. I have found it difficult to lie to others because of practicing the principles of the program but still easy to lie to myself. When I say, all too swiftly, "of course I'm willing to change," I know I will ask myself, "really?" Who is kidding whom? The fact that I will daily question my willingness to change will increase my ability to be increasingly willing. I simply won't take the process as lightly as I have before."
Continuing with steps six and seven enables us to live fully, usefully, and freely, reaching toward our true potential instead of merely going through the motions and skating through life.