Step 6 — Ready for Change – Rick H. – Wilson House Big Book Workshop Retreat – 2024

About This Speaker Tape

Sonia and Rick dismantle the friction of Steps S. and Seven, moving from the 'objectionable' wreckage of character defects to the pursuit of humility. Sonia maps out her emotional gas tank, explaining how she now communicates her need for a ten-minute recharge with her dog before facing her children, rather than expecting them to be mind-readers.

Rick uses the analogy of a mechanic—distinguishing between the hope of a new customer and the faith of a regular—to explain how the program's promises move from theory to evidence. They tear into the toxicity of gossip, with Sonia recalling a childhood spent in a circle of women who spoke kindly to faces and venomously behind backs, a pattern that left her unable to trust until she met Rick, who gave her the space to learn trust at its own pace.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Sonia begins the session by reading from page 76 of the Big Book regarding willingness.
• 3:15 Sonia discusses the 'slow suicidal act' of her drinking and the need for a Higher Power to remove defects.
• 7:40 Sonia explains her 'emotional gas tank' and the need to recharge before parenting.
• 13:20 Sonia reflects on the impact of her recovery on her children and the consistency of her sobriety.
• 18:45 Rick discusses the 'objectionable' nature of character defects using the laundry and car wash analogies.
• 24:10 Rick explains the difference between hope and faith through his experience as a mechanic.
• 27:30 Rick leads the group through the Seventh Step Prayer.
• 33:10 Sonia discusses the 'tissue paper feelings' of her past and the role of humility in managing emergencies.
• 38:40 Sonia describes the 'disgusting' amount of material possessions she purged after rehab.
• 44:15 Sonia and Rick discuss the specific character defect of gossip and its effect on trust.
• 51:20 Sonia reads a list of character defects and assets to the group.