Step 10

  1. Read:
  2. Listen to Special Edition podcasts from the A Vision 4 You website.

When these (character defects) 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)

3. DOING A TENTH STEP: In the course of any normal day, we tend to experience the buildup of human emotions. This is a fact for all of us. The 10th Step process offers us the opportunity to change our old patterns. Now, whenever we are fearful, resentful, or uncomfortable in any way, we pause, write a 10th Step, and go through a defined process. We learn to take our agitation and discomfort to our Higher Power (HP) instead of turning to food. We recommend you do as many 10th Step procedures per day as required to maintain your emotional sobriety. Writing a 10th step is working Steps 4-9 on a single item. First we go through the entire 10th Step process with our HP. The main purpose of the 12 Steps is to rely on a Power greater than ourselves—in other words, to develop God-dependence. After we give our 10th Step to our Higher Power, we share it with a fellow OA member. The first time you share a 10th Step, it may be helpful to share it with your sponsor. Though there are many effective ways to do a 10th Step, the procedure below is one effective method.

    1. Just like you did for Step 4: Make multiple 3-page resentment packets by printing and stapling together one Resentment Form, one Character Defect Sheet (CDS), and one Fear Form.
    2. Make sure you have a Prayer Sheet on hand.
    3. Choose something that is bothering you and complete a 3-page packet for this issue.
    4. Ask your Higher Power if you owe an amends, and if you do, what that needs to be.
    5. Let your sponsor (or fellow OA member) know that you are ready to share your 10th Step.
    6. Share your 10th Step:
      • Begin with the 3rd Step prayer (or words of your own choosing).
      • Read your 3-Page packet just as you did when sharing your 5th Step.
      • State if you owe an amends and what specifically it will be.
      • Tell what actions you will take to help someone (e.g., make an outreach call, be of service to a family member).
      • End with the 7th Step prayer (or words of your own choosing).
    7. Have Fear Forms on hand for times when your emotional disturbance is fear-based without a resentment attached.

 

ANY TIME YOU FEEL UNEASY FROM NOW ON, COMPLETE A 10TH STEP AND RESTORE YOUR EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY.

Continue adding people to a growing list of fellows with whom you can share your 10th Steps. You may want to consider joining a 10th Step group.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE JUST COMPLETED YOUR FIRST 10TH STEP!