Step 10

[pipparina]

One of the steps I use often is Step 10. I find this step helps get rid of any anger and resentments I may carry around, which as we know, can lead back to drinking.
This week, I had a fight with my mother. She knows just how to push my buttons (as my sponsor told me once, of course she does - she installed them!). We hung up the phone angry at each other. I was spitting nails when I got off the phone. Cursing, ranting, hating her for every slight she ever gave me growing up. I hadn't been that angry at her in a very long time. I vowed I wasn't going to call her for several days (I typically check on her every day).

Fast forward to the next morning. I realized that she can't help who she is, only I can help how I react to her. I didn't want to carry around the anger at her anymore. So I called her that morning. She immediately apologized for upsetting me (very unlike her!), and I did the same. It felt so good to let the anger go.

I've used this step so many times in my sobriety. Sometimes it takes me a little longer to get to the "let it go and make amends" feeling, but I almost always get there.

I would never have been able to do this without AA and working through all the other steps.

[2granddaughters]

Some folks say they do a 10th Step at the end of the day or in the morning. I can't wait that long....

I think the trick to doing a good 10th Step is to catch my fault/shortcoming/defect in the "thought process" at the moment of it's birth.... like driving down the expressway. I can look around and admire the scenery but I'd better not take my eyes off the road for very long, be constantly aware and vigilant. The thoughts are where it starts.

By the time we reach the end of the 9th Step we have basically completed our program. The 10th Steps is "continuing" to look for problems in my spiritual condition and thoughts I'm entertaining and applying God's Will to them... not my will.

Great post ! ... all the best.

Bob R

"The mind is its own place; it can make a hell of heaven
or a heaven of hell" Milton

Excellent quote.. with God's help I can have a choice as well

[Sapling]

Originally Posted by 2granddaughters

Some folks say they do a 10th Step at the end of the day or in the morning. I can't wait that long....

Me neither...I have to work that step all day. These two parts are key.

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.

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.

[tomsteve]

yup. its a great step to keep me from having to start at step one to figger out whats goin on with me. cant say i always do it. sometmes i get lazy. sometimes i just dont feel like lookin at myself and would rather do what i used to do and thats take your inventory and when youre wrong promplty admit it.
doestn work too good that way.

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by 2granddaughters

I think the trick to doing a good 10th Step is to catch my fault/shortcoming/defect in the "thought process" at the moment of it's birth.... like driving down the expressway. I can look around and admire the scenery but I'd better not take my eyes off the road for very long, be constantly aware and vigilant. The thoughts are where it starts.

By the time we reach the end of the 9th Step we have basically completed our program. The 10th Steps is "continuing" to look for problems in my spiritual condition and thoughts I'm entertaining and applying God's Will to them... not my will.

Guess which step this quote is from?

"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."

[Sapling]

Originally Posted by Boleo

Guess which step this quote is from?

"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."

Step ten.