When the time comes when we are absolutely ready to have our character defects removed, many of us feel that is the most appropriate time. Surprisingly, that's when the trouble starts. The more we struggle to get rid of a particular flaw, the stronger it seems to become. It takes true humility to realize that we are not only powerless over our addiction, but also over our character flaws.
Eventually we realize that the Seventh Step does not tell us to make the effort to rid ourselves of our imperfections, but to ask our Higher Power to rid us of them. The content of our daily prayer begins to change. Having admitted that we cannot reach perfection, we ask our Higher Power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. And we wait.
For many days we may remain in the exact same spot. We may not be immediately and completely relieved of our flaws, but we often see a subtle change in how we perceive ourselves and others. Through the Seventh Step we slowly become less critical of those around us. Now we know that many of them, like us, struggle with their own imperfections that they would like to get rid of more than anything. We know that, just like us, they are powerless against their own faults. We wonder if they too pray to have their own faults removed.
Humility helps us see others as we learn to see ourselves: with compassion. Observing others and ourselves, the moment comes when we finally understand.
