10th Step
At the End of the Day
03/Jul/08 Filed in: 10th Step
When we retire at night, we constructively review
our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or
afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept
something to ourselves that should be discussed
with another person at once? Were we kind and
loving toward all? What could we have done
better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the
the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do
for others, of what we could pack into the stream
of life? But we must be careful not to drift into
worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that
would diminish our usefulness to others. After
making our review we ask God's forgiveness and
inquire what corrective measures should be taken.
—AA's Big Book
When We Were Wrong ...
21/Jun/08 Filed in: 10th Step
Do you remember how Yogi Bear used to describe
himself as "smarter than the average bear"? Well,
I'm a fairly bright person. I probably have above
average intelligence, so I like to think that I'm
right about most things most of the time.
I don't think that I'm an insensitive person, but there are times when I behave that way by insisting that I am right. I often am, but I need to remember that other people have the right to make their own choices and their own mistakes. They have that right even when I don't agree. My relationships with others will improve as I let them be themselves.
Lord, when I'm wrong, let me be willing to admit it, and when I'm right, make me easy to live with.
I don't think that I'm an insensitive person, but there are times when I behave that way by insisting that I am right. I often am, but I need to remember that other people have the right to make their own choices and their own mistakes. They have that right even when I don't agree. My relationships with others will improve as I let them be themselves.
Lord, when I'm wrong, let me be willing to admit it, and when I'm right, make me easy to live with.
—Anonymous
Ten
13/Jun/08 Filed in: 10th Step
The Tenth Step suggests that we need to keep
checking on where we are and how we're doing.
Otherwise, we will find ourselves stumbling
around trying to find the right path.
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where—" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
Because she was so disoriented by her strange surroundings, Alice had no idea of the correct path to take. We can avoid become similarly lost by continuing to check on where we really are.
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where—" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
Because she was so disoriented by her strange surroundings, Alice had no idea of the correct path to take. We can avoid become similarly lost by continuing to check on where we really are.
—Anonymous
Honest Answers
30/Apr/08 Filed in: 10th Step
Why did I do that? Why did I say that? Why did I
blow off that important task? These are the sort
of questions that are best asked when I'm by
myself in quiet circumstances, when I can
meditate and demand honest answers from myself. I
may have to think deeply. I certainly will have
to pray for guidance. I must ask for help to see
myself as I truly am, without the self-dectption
that can fog my thinking.
When I have honest answers to these questions, my new knowledge helps me to cooperate with God as He removes my character defects. I can take decisions based on who I am and my understanding of who God wants me to be.
When I have honest answers to these questions, my new knowledge helps me to cooperate with God as He removes my character defects. I can take decisions based on who I am and my understanding of who God wants me to be.
—Anonymous
Two Roadblocks
21/Apr/08 Filed in: 10th Step
I keep coming up against two roadblocks in my
recovery—self-justification and
self-righteousness. The first tricks me into
believing that I am always right. The second
deludes me into thinking that I am better than
other people.
The Tenth Step gives me a way around these roadblocks. When I continue to take a personal inventory and examine my motives, I ask myself, "What are my motives? Why am I doing this? Is my justification honest? Am I being rational? Is God being glorified?"
Sometimes, I don't have satisfactory answers for such questions. Then, I must follow the second part of the Step and admit my error.
The Tenth Step gives me a way around these roadblocks. When I continue to take a personal inventory and examine my motives, I ask myself, "What are my motives? Why am I doing this? Is my justification honest? Am I being rational? Is God being glorified?"
Sometimes, I don't have satisfactory answers for such questions. Then, I must follow the second part of the Step and admit my error.
—Anonymous
The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things
there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions
and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us
also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become
boastful, challenging one another, envying one
another.
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load. And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load. And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
—Galatians 5, 6 (NASB)