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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 self-centeredness, 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. (Big Book page 84) Directions for Step 10 derived from the Big Book page 84: "W.A.D.A.T."
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Commentary
Each day in my home, I sweep cat hair, garlic peels, crumbs, dirt, take out the trash and recycling. If something falls on the floor, I generally pick it up as well as any trash that's been thrown near my home.
Likewise, all through the day I watch for what is blocking me from God's light: resentment, resistance to the good, fears, shame, self-centeredness, arrogance, assumptions, one of the deadly sins? There's always something... I watch for it and expect it just as I would watch for a friend showing up at the bus station.
Without practice, it's easy to think that on my own without God, I'm that loving, truly helpful, full-of-light person others encounter. Paradoxically, practice allows me to dance to the music of the divine choreographer in this messy wonderful insane fucked-up sea of humanity. As long as I have a broom for my home and the 10th step for my Spirit, I’m better than good, I’m blessed.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John:5-6)
Each day in my home, I sweep cat hair, garlic peels, crumbs, dirt, take out the trash and recycling. If something falls on the floor, I generally pick it up as well as any trash that's been thrown near my home.
Likewise, all through the day I watch for what is blocking me from God's light: resentment, resistance to the good, fears, shame, self-centeredness, arrogance, assumptions, one of the deadly sins? There's always something... I watch for it and expect it just as I would watch for a friend showing up at the bus station.
Without practice, it's easy to think that on my own without God, I'm that loving, truly helpful, full-of-light person others encounter. Paradoxically, practice allows me to dance to the music of the divine choreographer in this messy wonderful insane fucked-up sea of humanity. As long as I have a broom for my home and the 10th step for my Spirit, I’m better than good, I’m blessed.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John:5-6)
A Written Tenth Step Resentment Inventory
This is for those resentments that won't budge with the WADAT process.
Please use the directions in Step 4 for more detail. It's the same process but about what is current.
First, pray for truth to be revealed before putting pen to paper. Only a Higher Power, God, the Creator, Maker, Great Spirit can access the subconscious, the unconscious. Without prayer, the mind that generates the problem attempts to "figure it out" which leads to greater insanity, a louder "monkey mind," or relief followed by deeper denial or a feeling that the inventory doesn't work...
Remember what led to the third step decision!
Suggestions:
Second, write the inventory:
Third, read it to someone in the program.
Next read the inventory in a mini fifth step to someone who will understand. This is a POWER TOOL! It is always helpful to the person you read it to. Reading tenth steps has given me beautiful close friends who I feel I can tell anything to, no matter how hard it can be at times to tell the truth. Without fail, during the process insights come that energize and liberate me, give me hope.
Fourth: Take what is revealed into Steps 6-9. Don't forget! Don't justify omitting these vital steps to a new freedom and happiness.
This is for those resentments that won't budge with the WADAT process.
Please use the directions in Step 4 for more detail. It's the same process but about what is current.
First, pray for truth to be revealed before putting pen to paper. Only a Higher Power, God, the Creator, Maker, Great Spirit can access the subconscious, the unconscious. Without prayer, the mind that generates the problem attempts to "figure it out" which leads to greater insanity, a louder "monkey mind," or relief followed by deeper denial or a feeling that the inventory doesn't work...
Remember what led to the third step decision!
Suggestions:
- "Write through me God your healing and liberating truth please. Thy will be done.
- "Please let me see the truth!"
Second, write the inventory:
- Column 1: Who or what am I angry at, comparing myself to, jealous of, intimidated by, threatened by, avoiding?...
- Column 2: Let it flow out. Why are you angry, jealous, depressed? Don't censor or try to be reasonable. Say the truth of what you really feel and think. Don't worry if you are justified or not, right or not, logical or not. Don't keep any secrets!
- Column 3: What was affected? Your self esteem, pride, security, ambition, personal or sex relations, investment?
- Say the sick person prayers.
- Column 4: Where am I dishonest, self-seeking, selfish, and afraid.
Third, read it to someone in the program.
Next read the inventory in a mini fifth step to someone who will understand. This is a POWER TOOL! It is always helpful to the person you read it to. Reading tenth steps has given me beautiful close friends who I feel I can tell anything to, no matter how hard it can be at times to tell the truth. Without fail, during the process insights come that energize and liberate me, give me hope.
Fourth: Take what is revealed into Steps 6-9. Don't forget! Don't justify omitting these vital steps to a new freedom and happiness.
A Written Tenth Step Fear Inventory
First, pray for the healing and liberating truth to be revealed before putting pen to paper and remember what led to the third step decision.
Second, write the inventory.
These are six questions Fran gave Chandra M. for writing a fear inventory, derived from the Big Book page 68:
Third, read it to someone.
Fourth, take what is revealed through Steps 6-9
First, pray for the healing and liberating truth to be revealed before putting pen to paper and remember what led to the third step decision.
Second, write the inventory.
These are six questions Fran gave Chandra M. for writing a fear inventory, derived from the Big Book page 68:
- What is the name of the fear?
- Why do I have it? What purpose does this fear serve?
- How do I act out in self reliance? How has self-reliance failed?
- What roles do I assign myself and others when I have this fear?
- How do I lack the courage of faith?
- What do I think God would have me be?
Third, read it to someone.
Fourth, take what is revealed through Steps 6-9
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Grief Inventory
(This process was shared with me by my sponsor after my husband died and is not in the Big Book.) It is important to do this in the order indicated below. Maybe start the process by saying a prayer for God to reveal the healing truth. 1. Time line of memories
2. Free writing on another paper perhaps in letter form.
3. Close the experience with a ritual of release that feels sacred to you. For example, you might share the memories and writing at a site that was special for you and that person or at a grave site, etc. You might do this with another person in a way similar to a fifth step or by yourself. 
Thank you my sister poet Amanda for sending this at the perfect moment.
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