Recognizing that I am evolving with the Steps—Step 6 & 7

Step Six & Seven

Recognizing that I am evolving with the Steps

After many hours of sharing my inventory and discussing the next steps, my sponsor suggested I return home. She told me that as I walk through the door, I should pause and recognize that I am not the same person who left. Taking my personal inventory and becoming aware of my defects of character has given me the opportunity to grow, to begin forgiving myself, and to change on the inside.

She encouraged me to spend some quiet time in reflection. The next important action, she said, is to ask my Higher Power for forgiveness, and to make a conscious commitment to share my life with that Higher Power moving forward.

Personal Reflection

I sat in the stillness of my home, feeling something I hadn’t in a long time—peace. Not because everything was suddenly perfect, but because I had faced the truth about myself with courage and honesty. For so long, I had carried shame like armor, protecting myself from vulnerability. But now, something had shifted; it was that armor that had weighed me down.  I had invited God into the most hidden parts of my story, and I felt lighter for it.

Knowing Step 6 was before me, I felt supported. I could say to myself:  I have a Higher Power I trust and share my life with. I know I am loved. I know I am cherished. My sense of knowing gave me the courage to continue walking this path of healing.

Step 6 – We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character

Step Six reminds me that change isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming who I truly am without the weight of old defenses. I’m not perfect, and I never will be. But I am willing to grow. And that willingness opens the door to make subtle shifts toward peace and big shifts in my ability to trust Higher Power and also myself.

Next she invited me to reflect with honesty about my 4th Step inventory: Have I shared everything that needed to be shared? Has my work been thorough and true? Since we feel shame from our mistakes, it’s essential at this stage to trust the process and allow healing to begin. And it’s important to remember this won’t be the last inventory.  The first one is always the biggest and those that follow are just as important for life long sobriety.  

I knew I had learned so much through the act of sharing my story. I’ll always be grateful for that first inventory and every time I felt the nudge to write out a new 4th Step. Even more so, I am grateful for the times I’ve followed through with the Fifth Step alongside a trusted guide.

At Step 6, I had a Higher Power that I trusted and shared my life with. I knew in my heart that I am loved. I knew I’m cherished. And that knowing gave me the courage to continue on the path of healing. I was ready to release what no longer served me.

It isn’t about becoming someone different; it is remembering who we truly are

We are meant to shed, renew, grow, and evolve. As a coach supporting other alcoholics, this is always my focus. Sometimes we take baby steps; other times, we take great leaps. What matters most is that we keep moving forward. 

If you are ready to keep moving - If that is the answer you give to your sponsor - then Step 6 bridges the way to step 7.  

Step 7–Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings

With a sponsor, we say a version of the following text from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:

“My Creator, I am now willing that You should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that You now remove from me every single defective character which stands in the way of my usefulness to You and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do Your bidding. Amen.”(Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous).

For many of us, working through the first seven steps was incredibly difficult. At times - I can say for myself - it felt as though I would never make enough progress. But the most important thing shared with me at this crossroads was: You’re Here. I am extremely proud of you, just as much as I am of me.  And that means something powerful—I AM growing.

When we become willing to have our Higher Power remove our shortcomings, we accept it is done. The Big Book text provides a bridge of faith that lets us be removed from,  “character which stands in the way of my usefulness…”

Knowing this is so moves us to a powerful step where we examine our past relationships and take  accountability for our actions.