Step Ten, Week Three: July 24th, 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.”

Patrick Carnes, “A Gentle Path Through The Twelve Steps,” the Personal Craziness Index section. 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 yellow workbook, the Step Ten worksheet on http://12-steps-recovery.com, and from Melody Beattie’s book, “Codependents’ Guide to the Twelve Steps” with the author’s permission:

1. Complete the Personal Inventory exercise on page 158 of the yellow workbook, then please share your answers to the following questions with the group as you are willing:
   • a. Am I isolating and not talking about what is really going on with me?
   • b. Did I view anyone as an authority figure today and feel frightened or rebellious?
   • c. Did I dissociate, fantasize, or become involved in self-harm today?
   • d. Am I keeping secrets and feeling unique? Am I talking about my feelings?
   • e. Am I being honest in my relationships or am I seeking approval over honesty?
   • f. Am I acting “perfect” and obsessing over making mistakes?
   • g. Do I overreact or isolate from others when I perceive that I have been criticized?
2. When was the last time you caught yourself doing something you didn’t feel good about? Did you take care of the issue promptly?
3. What are some amends or remedies that you should make when you find out that you are wrong?
4. What new behaviors would you like to try to make your program more effective? How would you go about implementing these?
5. What is your plan to allow time for reflection each day?

Deep Dive questions:

A. How do I feel about continuing to take a personal inventory?

B. What means of taking daily inventory is comfortable for me?

C. How do I know when to make amends and when not to?

D. What characteristics {Laundry List traits} show up most often in my inventory?

E. Why do I resist having them removed?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook