Step Ten, Week One: July 10th, 2024

Reading assignment for this week:

Yellow workbook pages 147-152 OR BRB pages 250 – 257

Red Book pages 10-18

Recommended weekly reading:

“The Laundry List” or “The Problem,” “The Solution,” and “The Promises” on pages 587-591 of the Red Book or in the first several pages of the yellow workbook;

“The Twelve Steps” on pages 91-92 of the Red Book (also on pages 1-2 of the workbook); and

“The Twelve Traditions” on page 592 of the Red Book

Tradition Seven (the tradition for the month of July) in depth starting on page 522 of the BRB

Suggested supplemental reading:

Melody Beattie, “Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps,” the Step Ten chapter, pages 153-167 of the 1990 edition.  See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”

Red Book Chapter 8, “The Solution: Becoming Your Own Loving Parent”

This week’s step study questions are excerpted from the Step Ten worksheet on http://12-steps-recovery.com in conjunction with the yellow workbook, and from Melody Beattie’s book, “Codependents’ Guide to the Twelve Steps” with the author’s permission:

1. Complete the Traits 1 through 7 exercises on pages 152-155 of the yellow workbook. How have you, or might you, integrate some or all of the first seven Laundry List traits?
2. What are your triggers for lapsing into dysfunctional behaviors? How can you best avoid or manage the events, situations, and people most likely to trigger dysfunctional behaviors?
3. What behaviors and attitudes are likeliest to trigger a relapse into dysfunctional behaviors? How can you best guard against lapsing into those behaviors and attitudes?
4. When was the last time you caught yourself doing something you didn’t feel good about? Did you take care of the issue promptly?(© Melody Beattie, Codependents Guide)
5. What amends or remedies could you make in the future when you have done something you don’t feel good about?

Deep Dive questions:

A. How can I remind myself to make Step Ten a part of my daily routine?

B. How can I use Step Ten to increase my awareness, without applying negative judgment?

C. What feelings or behaviors make me aware that a character defect {Laundry List trait} continues to affect me?

D. How does Step Ten help me to become aware of behaviors, habits, and attitudes that I did not recognize previously?

© Al-Anon’s Reaching for Personal Freedom Workbook