My Sponsor has his own way of doing step 7

[Time2Surrender]

Im at my sponsors last night doing step work. It was funny. We were sitting in the kitchen, I was sitting at the table looking at the long list of my charactor defects. (yes, it was a very long list) and my sponsor was cutting up a Cantalope. I wasnt really paying attention to him, when he walks up next to me, puts his hand on my shoulder holding the knife he had been using and says....."Now Mike, are you ready to have God remove all these defects of charactor?" With the knife still in his other hand. I just stared at the knife in his hand. I was speechless. My eyes were bugged out. I was sitting there wondering if the knife was going to be involved in removing these defects of charactor? He looked at me, them looked at the knife and we both cracked up as he sat it down on the counter. I dont know, maybe you would have had to been there. It was hillarious. Yes, it was a good night. We took the list of my charator defects and for every defect he had me draw a line accross the paper then write down the word that was opposite of the defect. He suggested I carry this list and work towards these good qualities. Cool stuff. I had to get a photo before I left.

[suki44883]

Mmmmm...I love Cantalope!

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by suki44883

Mmmmm...I love Cantalope!

Me too. You can see it sitting there on the counter top behind his elbow. I Cant complain about a sponsor who feeds you while your at his house doing step work. Now Im craving Cantalope. Might be intresting to see how many read this then make a trip to the grocery store.

[suki44883]

Sounds like you have a great sponsor! Yeah, I saw the melon in the background. Wish I'd have picked some up when I was Kroger earlier today.

[Time2Surrender]

They have them for 39 cents each at the store by my house. Maybe I should make a cantalope run.

[suki44883]

Pick up a couple for me, too, please!

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by suki44883

Pick up a couple for me, too, please!

OK

[NOMOMERLOTMAMMA]

If it was only that easy!

[navysteve]

I like the idea of acknowledging the characteristic that is th eopposite of the defect. I believe that in step 7 we get the chance to act towards those character defects which have far extended their intended purposes. I would do without the knife however. A simple prayer to God would work just fine

[SlvrMag]

I have cantalope in my fridge.....BRB

[mentorjeffy]

I don't like to complcate things. I don't think anything is easy, but simple is good, direct and disciplined. I love the way the 12 steps has worked for me and the many people whose lives has touched mine. I call that the gift of sight. Being able to see the simplicity of the steps work in all our lives. I always like to refer to "The third alcoholic" in the big book. Bill and Dr.Bob worked the eight steps in an afternoon with an alcoholic in a hospital. There were only eight steps then, so it really is simple. This man was the third member of AA and he died sober, his name was Jim.

[Time2Surrender]

Thats my sponsor.

[debs4321]

Hahahaha

This reminds me of a story I was told recently about the 6th and 7th step.

It goes like this, Imagine yourself in a jungle far away.........................

In the jungle, you along with a group of people come out of a cave. you all had all been in the cave doing your 5th step with your sponsor. Each of you are wearing lion clothes and carrying a hatchet on your side. You all exhausted, as most of us are after doing our 5th step, and decided to all take a nap.
So, you lie down in the tall grass and place the hatchet in their hand, holding it out by your side.

Time passes and you awaken, startled because what do you find on your stomach but, the king of all snakes a Anaconda (I think I spelled that right). This snake represents your character defects. You are scared.................

What do you do????

If you move and awaken the snake he will surely kill you. So, with one swift swing you take the hatchet and chop off the snakes head.

Now here's the question.

Who killed the snake?

[kj3880]

God. Or if you like "Higher Power"

[debs4321]

Good answer. You along with God or "Higher Power" kill the snake............. or remove character defects.

You see, I have learned and am still learning that I have a part in removing my character defects along with God's help. I must change my behaviors and attitude I have so long been use to. And practice the principles in my life. So, yes with God's help, we together, slowly remove my defects and in turn change my life.

This is just my sponsors way of guiding me through the 7th step. It might not be for some, but it has helped me understand the principle behind the step.