In the past I have had difficulty with the phrase “defects of character”. I interpreted it as fatal flaws, validating my belief of a core deflective self. Then I read the definition of Character Defect in the Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide. On page 52 the Step Four glossary defines Character Defect as “exact nature of our wrongs: Ways of handling life that interfere with our happiness, good relations with others, and conscious contact with our Higher Power.”
It is not me, my soul that is defective, but my “ways of handling life” that have been the root of my problem. Am I willing to let my Higher Power show me more effective and loving ways of handling life? Do I want to grow toward having happiness, good relations with others and conscious contact with my Higher Power? Yes!