Defects

WHEN I FIRST came into the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, almost eight years ago, via a treatment center, I was aware of my overabundance of shortcomings. Having taken the first five Steps of our program while in treatment, I was eager to get busy with the Sixth and Seventh Steps as soon as I got home. A daily inventory sheet during the first few months provided me with the clues to my most glaring defects of character. These were the ones I felt needed immediate attention ("First Things First," I reasoned). At bedtime each night, after thanking God for my sobriety that twenty-four hours, I would list specifically the shortcomings I wanted Him to remove. I was willing.