AANOC Anonymous Times June 2025

Newsletter Archive

Volume 25| Issue 06 Web version

 AANOC Anonymous Times

 (714) 773- HELP (4357)

1661 E. Chapman Avenue, Suite 1H

Fullerton, CA 92831

www.aanoc.org 

Published by North Orange County Intergroup Association of Anonymous Groups, INC.

                                                    JUNE 2025

bigstock-Silhouette-Of-Man-Pray-On-Duri-424185050
bigstock-Silhouette-Of-Man-Pray-On-Duri-424185050

                       STEP 6 

  “Were entirely ready to have God remove all      these defects of character.”

“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” – Charles Dubois

Step Six of AA’s Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Step program of recovery is all about the removal of what doesn’t work in our lives anymore. Since you have completed Step Four and Five you surely have plenty of things that were revealed to you about what you need to get rid of!

So now it’s time to allow a Higher Power to cut out these attitudes, beliefs and behaviors at the source. You get to partner up with your Higher Power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects and flaws that have been ruling your life and seemed to have you hell bent on self destruction.

The sixth step can bring about significant and very noticeable change when it comes to the thought patterns and behavior that have been with us for a long time. It doesn’t happen overnight obviously, and there is nothing like perfection when working the twelve steps of AA. It’s about making a commitment and being content with patient improvement.

     Breaking Down Step Six Of AA Alcoholics Anonymous

When breaking down Step Six I like to focus more on the word “ready” than entirely; nobody is ever entirely ready, especially for the unknown. However the word “ready” is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn.

In previous steps we discovered how we harmed ourselves and other people by acting out on our character defects. We learned about patterns in behavior and that we are likely to act the same way with the same defects over and over. All of this knowledge helped us to become ready to have these defects of character removed.

So now, at Step Six, we’ve reached a spiritual state of mind where we are aware of our character defects, sick and tired of them and pretty confident that a higher power of our own understanding will remove what should go.

willingness_rock
willingness_rock

Character Defect:  Shortcomings You’re Ready To Let Go Of

While working on Step Six we learn about the humility it takes to see ourselves more clearly. We see that character defects and instincts work hand-in-hand.

We were given instincts to help us stay alive. However, when our abundant instincts or desires far exceed their intended purpose, motivate us to act blindly, or make us willfully demand that we be supplied with more satisfactions than are possible or due, they then become character defects.

It’s important when looking at your character defects in Step Six to remember the basic nature of all human beings (which is the same for all of us). We all have needs and we try to get the met; how we go about getting them is where defects come into play.

To be clear, “defects of character” does not mean you are defective, or that you are a bad character. In fact, instead of seeing your faults and failings as defects, you should reframe it as “shortcomings” that can be address and worked on.

When we get to those issues deep down that caused the addictions and behaviors then real long-lasting change occurs. We can make a real effort to heal the underlying core mental and emotional issues that have caused limiting and/or destructive behavior.

When you’re ready to let go, some of the most popularly destructive character defects or shortcomings, usually include: fear, pride, dishonesty, gluttony, greed, lust, jealousy, grandiosity, willfulness and anger.

If we are completely honest with ourselves we have to admit that sometimes we exult in some of our defects- they feel good and we really kinda love some of them! But we have seen time and time again that changing addictive behavior no matter how difficult it seems is possible. The overwhelming task is much easier when broken down into tiny incremental steps.

        Put The Anvil Down: Step Six Questions & Actions

In Step Six of AA we get to put the anvil down. For many of us recovering addicts carrying around the weight of some pretty heavy shortcomings not only slows us down in the progress of our recovery; it also puts us at risk for relapse.

step-six-of-aa-jason-wahler-675x450.jpg

We’ve had these defects we’re about to let go of for a long time so there’s probably a measure of fear about changing-because change means the unknown and the unknown is part of why we drank or used. It’s important to keep a sense of hope and trust in the program and the process of recovery that has worked on even the most deeply rooted character defects.

Here are some questions to help guide you through Step Six:

  • What are your fears about doing a sixth step?

  • What does it mean that a “higher power” can remove them?

  • What is your responsibility?

  • Do you believe you can change? Have you changed so far?

  • Are some of your character defects enjoyable because they give you pleasure?

  • Are there any defects that you think cannot be removed? Are you willing to have all of them removed- if not why?

  • How does surrender help with Step 6?

  • What actions can you take to show that you are entirely ready?

Here’s are two great Step Six activities that you can do alone or with your sponsor:

  • Make a list (which you’re already so good at!) of each character defect of yours, including a very brief definition of it. Then list the ways that you act out behaviorally on the defect and the effect it has on yourself and others when you do. Lastly, write about what your life would be like without the behavior and what principle you may be able to apply instead.

  • Create Affirmations: Take each major character defect and write three to five positive statements about living differently. Repeat these affirmations aloud in the morning and evening (word them in the present tense, as if you’ve already conquered the defect.) For example if “lying” is the defect you could write: I am now telling the truth in all matters.

Step Six Of AA Alcoholics Anonymous: Abandon Limitations

“When a person is capable of enough wiliness and honesty to try repeatedly Step Six on all his faults-without any reservations whatever- has indeed come a long way spiritually…” (12 &12)

While working on Step Six try not to beat yourself up if you can’t conquer every single one of your defects immediately (or even over a longer period of time). You’re a work in progress and you should be happy about your success so far. Celebrate each little victory; keep an open mind and a positive attitude through your journey.

Spirit meets us at our point of action, so remember, don’t try- DO!

                         https://www.jasonwahler.com/recovery/12-steps-of-alcoholics-anonymous

STEP SIX

" Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

NOCCO-Orange-1-1_7d1390d4
NOCCO-Orange-1-1_7d1390d4

  TRADITION SIX

An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

CONSEPT SIX

On behalf of AA as a whole, our General Service Conference has the principal responsibility for the maintenance of our world services, and it traditionally has the final decision respecting large matters of general policy and finance. But the Conference also recognizes that the chief initiative and the active responsibility in most of these matters should be exercised primarily by the trustee members of the Conference when they act among themselves as the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous.


NOCCO 2024-25 Service Board

Matthew M Chairman - Alt Chairman

Brigitte - Treasurer

Crystal W. - Secretary

     Jennifer P - Events Chair

     Andrea L. - Outreach Chair

     Alfredo V - VIP Member 

Outreach Corner

INTERGROUP REPS WANTED!!!

PLEASE JOIN US THE 2ND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7:30 PM

FOR OUR INTERGROUP MEETING WE ARE LIVE AND ON ZOOM!

WE MEET AT - ST. ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1231 E. CHAPMAN AVE. FULLERTON, CA. - PARISH HALL

ZOOM ID: 832 9192 2099      PASSWORD: Serenity

Our next meeting is June 11, at 7:30pm

We hope you will join us!

IMG_5275
IMG_5275
Meeting Guide
Virtual Newcomer Packet
Read Big Book Online
Read 12x12 Online
Speaker Meetings
ASL | Deaf Meetings
Faithful Fiver / Contributions
Check your Meeting Listing
Meeting-Guide-Featured
Meeting-Guide-Featured

The NOCCO meeting database is now linked to the “Meeting Guide App”, a free of charge meeting finder for iOS and Android that provides meeting information in an easy-to-access format.  If you don't have the app, you can get it on Google Play or download from the App Store.

NOCCO Hotline - (714) 773-HELP (4357)

We are available 24/7.  All calls are confidential.  Phones answered by sober volunteers.

WANT TO BE OF SERVICE?

WE ARE IN NEED OF OVERNIGHT

CALL FORWARDING VOLUNTEERS!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR WOMEN & MEN WHO WOULD LIKE

TO DO 12 STEP CALLS FOR NEEDING HELP!

YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP FOR THE SPEAKER LIST.

NOCCO IS UPDATING OUR PHONE LIST.

Please call NOCCO for information and to sign up.

714-773-4357 or officemanager@aanoc.org

or Pattyo@aanoc.org


AANOC - PROFIT & LOSS - April 2025



DOC010625-01062025123634
DOC010625-01062025123634

FRIENDS, FUN AND QUOTABLE QUOTES !!!

Please send us your poems, pictures, quotes or stories to add to our times to share with the fellowship!

DOC050525-05052025145754
DOC050525-05052025145754

HI EVERYONE

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OUR WEBSITE AND WILL LAUNCHING A NEW VERSION IN NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. WE ARE EXCITED AND WILL CONTINUALLY IMPROVE ON IT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SERVICE!


Sent via

SendPulse