The Importance of Step Ten

My AA life began after my first meeting, but then in a different sense it really didn’t begin till I learned the AA program of action and put it into practice.

At first I thought just going to meetings and trying to practice the Twelve Steps as written on the clubhouse wall was living AA on a daily basis. Indeed, I had found a new happiness and developed many new wonderful friends.

My phone was just ringing off the hook and I was going to loads of meetings and coffee houses with AA friends afterward. I was a regular social butterfly! I was involved with a religious organization and remained very busy.

Yet I had not actually gone through the Twelve Step process with a sponsor. What’s the hurry—I’m really doing well aren’t I? Well maybe not!

One night I was alone on Hollywood Boulevard after a parade and somehow marched into a bar on Las Palmas Blvd; on my lips were: “Gin & tonic please!” Thank God those words were never spoken!

Rushing home, I prayed that God would bring a sponsor to take me through the steps and in a few weeks he did. Of course, one of the major parts of my post-step life was Step Ten of which I could never had done until I have learned, and lived, the middle steps. This is what I mean (Read page 84):

1. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. Learned in Step Four
2. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. Learned in Step Six & Seven
3. We discuss them with someone immediately. Learned in Step Five
4. And, make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Learned in Steps Eight & Nine
5. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.

Love and tolerance of others is our code.

So, had I been living in the spirit of Step Ten, I would never have marched into that bar to begin with, and even if I did, I would have asked God at once to put me back on the beam. I have not had to drink since my first AA meeting—a long time ago—but if not for Step Ten, I certainly would have.

By Bob S.