As June begins, the natural world surrounds us with the steady energy of growth and expansion, yet in recovery, this season often brings a profound internal hesitation. We arrive at Step Six, a pivotal milestone where we are asked to become entirely ready to have our defects of character removed. Having successfully negotiated the exterior journey of staying sober, we naturally wonder why we cannot simply be satisfied with what we have already accomplished. This month, we explore how the desire to halt or look back is actually a normal, predictable part of the heroic journey itself. The transition to a lifetime of continuous self-improvement can feel overwhelming, but all that is being asked of us today is the simple willingness to trust the process.
My hope is that by continuing the steps you have already taken, you will find the strength to disregard the desire to quit as a mere trap, allowing you to move past your self-imposed roadblocks and experience real relief today.
“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
The sixth of the twelve steps is another place where the refusal to continue with the heroic journey is encountered. Not surprisingly, we have encountered the refusal in all five of the previous steps, but in hopes of being relieved of our addiction we have been willing to push through to this point. However, until now, we have not agreed to try to be better people except for one aspect of our lives—our addiction. We are now confronted with a decision that was unanticipated when we set out. We tried Alcoholics Anonymous to stop drinking. We went to meetings, got a sponsor, and somewhat surprisingly, did stop drinking. We agreed, at least to some extent, to accept a higher power, to complete a thorough self-evaluation, and to discuss this work with another person, usually our sponsor. Why not just be satisfied with what we have accomplished thus far? After all, we wanted to quit drinking (or whatever), and we have done so. Listening to our sponsors, we are now expected to agree to be the best person we can be, make amends to those we have harmed, and to engage in a lifetime of self-examination, spiritual growth, and service to others. This is not what we thought we signed up for. Our resistance here is to the continuation of the internal heroic journey. We think we have completed the exterior journey – that of staying sober in the same world in which we could not stop drinking. We have, in fact, quit drinking....
As always, we start by sitting comfortably in quiet surroundings. Breathe slowly and comfortably. When you are ready, think about a close friend or relative, someone who you believe would do something for you if you asked them. What is it that you need from this person? Imagine yourself asking them to do this for you and imagine them agreeing to do it. It needn’t be a big thing. Now imagine them doing you this favor and imagine the satisfied feeling you have that they accommodated your request. Now imagine yourself thanking them. Try to feel the good feelings that you both have resulting from this interaction. Try to stay with this feeling of gratitude for this friendship and trust you have with another person. As you progress over time using this practice, you might include other people in these imaginings. This can stimulate the beginnings of trust, and lead to actually trusting others in your daily life. Given enough time and good recovery experience, it can also lead to trusting a higher power. You might even learn to trust yourself. I believe you will, and it starts with the willingness to sit quietly and breathe.
My Blog - An Issue of Trust
Again and again the recovery journey calls for willingness to change…. to try a different way. We had planned our route through life, ran off the road, crashed, and are now faced with a choice. We can keep trying the way we have been going, telling ourselves that we can do this if we are more careful. Or we can accept a rerouting as suggested by others. Our inclination is to be suspicious of trying another way, especially if we haven’t thought of it first.....
“…. if we are to gain the ability to grow to our full potential through the Program and the Twelve Steps, especially the Sixth and Seventh Steps, we must learn to trust.”
Drop the Rock p. 48. Bill P., Todd W., and Sara S.
On the Bookshelf - Higher Power: Seeking God in 12 Step Recovery By Douglas D. Himes
I ordered this book because of its very similar title to my Seeking a Higher Power: A Guide to the Second Step. Although the titles are similar, there is an obvious difference. Hines’ book’s title talks about “seeking God,” whereas mine talks about “seeking a higher power.” I’m glad I read it because although it is very different from mine, it is a good recovery book. Hines identifies himself as a recovering alcoholic, and also as the chaplain for a prominent treatment program. He is knowledgeable about both the book Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) and about the Bible, probably in equal measure. As found in the Big Book, the Bible, and other classic texts, he makes good use of storytelling to illustrate his points. He is well-read, and quotes many of the same authors....
Exciting News for June 2026: As part of our summer partnership with In The Rooms, the global recovery community website, my book "Seeking a Higher Power" will be featured across their platform throughout the month of June. This work explores how to detour around traditional theological roadblocks to find a truly likeable and approachable spiritual ally for your recovery. I am thrilled to share these insights with their 1.2 million members worldwide, and I invite you to join us on the platform this month.
As the journey continues, I also remain dedicated to sharing the "Heroic Journey" framework locally with groups, treatment program staff, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the recovery process. My workshops are designed to help travelers face intimidating challenges by enlisting the right allies and finding the courage to move forward.
Current Offerings:
Keynote Speaking: For recovery conferences and events.
Staff Training: For clinical teams on the Heroic Journey model.
Reflective Groups: Facilitated sessions for adults and adolescents in recovery.Interested in having me speak or lead a workshop?
If this newsletter helps you, please share it with one person today so we can continue to grow our community. We heal best when we walk together, and your support helps us carry this message to travelers who need it most. See you next time - until then, walk gently, with courage..
— Mike
Dr. Michael Cowl Gordon, Black Magic Ln, Marietta, GA 30064
