The Step 10 of “continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it”. is part of the fabric of a reflective toolbox.  The core meaning is of rebounding, a casting back or returning.  Only in inventory it is a “returning to self” which is about attending to “you”. It allows you to see if there has been anything important that you may have missed in self assessment.  It is about self care as it is also about de-cluttering any toxic collection of emotion by promptly admitting wrongs.

If we look at the Step 10 this way its about fostering self compassion and developing helpful attitudes.   Its about being non-judgemental and engaging in behaviour that promotes our well being and those of others. Its about the observation of our experiences with the thoughts, feelings and sensations that go with being human.  It is about being open to maintaining the self by letting go of negativity.  All of this helps us stay in the here and now moment rather then script and the cycle of addiction.

The process of taking inventory and agreeing to prompt action with wrongs that have taken place engages us in learning to step back.  This is so useful as human beings have thoughts that are firing synapses.  We have loads of different thoughts passing through the mind from moment to moment,  Often its the unpleasant thoughts driven by our script programming that capture attention.  This is triggered in certain situations and with this we may act out emotionally on others in a negative way or we may experience intense emotions that impact us and we internalise this.  Either way whether holding or projecting emotions the step 10 engages us in processing what is going on which helps us keep our system in check.

So many problems can arise when we automatically believe our thoughts as fact especially when we have intense emotions attached to them.  People often treat them as the ultimate truths which can result in negative cycles and unhelpful ways of dealing with life.  The Step 10 crosses over the auto-pilot of this process which is effective as it then stops the reinforcing of negative programming.

We have no control over some of our programming but we do have a choice over how to respond to its once we are aware.  Its remembering that thoughts and feelings cant harm you but the actions you take can and they can harms others.

The process of stepping back and Step 10 strengthens the part of yourself that is called the “observing self”.  this part of you notices and accepts your experiences without negative judgement.  It is a form of mindfulness which is about self awareness and attention training .  Step 10 invites you into the present and paying attention on the purpose for this moment in a curious and willing way.  It can help us to retrain our minds to focus on what is important thereby taking back freedom to respond effectively rather then react automatically.