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June 3rd – Making that Connection
“Character defects are, by their very nature, expressions of self-will.”
– Life with Hope, first edition, page 25
When I am acting in my character defects, when I am gossiping, when I am nasty, when I am unsympathetic or unkind (even when I’ve asked God to remove these same defects of character); it is often because I am unsatisfied in some way. When I closely examine that feeling of irritability, I am able to see how my will is misaligned with that of my Higher Power’s.
Once I have that realization, my next step is to accept that which I am currently finding unacceptable. How do I do that? I turn to God for help. Even though I may not initially make the connection between my own bad behavior and my lack of comfort in a given situation, it is that very connection that must be made in order to rid myself of those character defects.
As soon as I’m able to see that connection, I need to ask God to direct my thinking and to help me to be of service. Oftentimes, as if by magic, I am able to not act on those defects. Going forward, if I remember to align my will with God’s, I find that I do a better job in managing my character defects.
Final thought: Today, I ask God to help my will be aligned with my Higher Power’s so I can be free of my character defects.
Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.
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