Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

STEP SIX

have drawn. Perhaps we shall be obliged in some cases still
to say, "This I cannot give up yet...," but we should not say
to ourselves, "This I will never give up!"

Let's dispose of what appears to be a hazardous open
end we have left. It is suggested that we ought to become
entirely willing to aim toward perfection. We note that
some delay, however, might be pardoned. That word, in the
mind of a rationalizing alcoholic, could certainly be given
a long-term meaning. He could say, "How very easy! Sure,
I'll head toward perfection, but I'm certainly not going to
hurry any. Maybe I can postpone dealing with some of my
problems indefinitely." Of course, this won't do. Such a
bluffing of oneself will have to go the way of many another
pleasant rationalization. At the very least, we shall have to
come to grips with some of our worst character defects and
take action toward their removal as quickly as we can.

The moment we say, "No, never!" our minds close against
the grace of God. Delay is dangerous, and rebellion may be
fatal. This is the exact point at which we abandon limited
objectives, and move toward God's will for us.