How We Do 10th Steps…

I am just sharing this because I have heard so much confusion about this, and I am just going to share what we do, in case it can be helpful.

p. 84 “This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.”

I call someone, and either leave this on their vm or say to them – Can you hear a 10th step? They say yes, hopefully. I have even done the 10th step with God if I am out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service.

“this is what’s going on… blah blah blah – and I recount whats going on in a few sentences” So for example – my boss didn’t pay me for last month’s work and I am down to $140 in checking. Where am I selfish “I want to know how this going to work out. I want my boss to pay me. I want the money so I can feel secure”, Dishonest “God is my employer, I am not trusting and relying upon God”, Self-seeking “I am going in to self-pity-viewing my life as a disaster, wondering if I will ever live a more normal life like other people, I am comparing my insides to other people’s outsides, I am feeling like a piece of dog-doo and wondering why I appear to be blocked spiritually compared to others of my years in AA, who are making a good living. I am judging myself through a materialistic point of view”, Fear “I am afraid I will never be where I think I should be. I will always live below the poverty line. I will never be able to accept myself. I will never get ahead.”

“God please remove this and turn my thoughts to someone I can help”, so I pray for my roommate – who has a much harder path than I do… “Thy will be done.” It works! It really does!