As with all the steps if the Big Book authors say they do something then we should do it also. If we want what they have and are willing to go to any lengths for recovery then we ought to follow the simple program precisely outlined in the book.
Here is the 10th step direction as written on page 84.
Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these 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.
As we see the 10th step suggestion says to "continue to watch". So we are to continue looking at our thinking and actions. All throughout the day. We are to continue to check how we are doing spiritually by "continuing to watch". What do they mean by "continue to watch". It seems to me what they say they do is to keep a routine of "catching ourselves" when our thinking turns to fear or resentment. Catch ourselves if we find we are about to be dishonest or have been dishonest. Catch ourselves if we have been selfish - doing things for us while disregarding others or harming others.
We try to continue to take an objective look at our thinking and behavior to make sure we are doing our best to try to do Gods will from day to day and minute to minute as the case may be.
As I have studied the program Gods will has become simple and clear. It is to go about making my way in life in harmony with others and wherever possible being of service. Never should I make life difficult or harm others in living my life. Also while not harming others I should try to give and enhance peoples lives. Not take away or diminish. Trying to be a giver not a user. Try as best I can to be charitable, encouraging, loving and kind. This is the right use of my will. To parallel it with Gods.
Some examples of doing the 10th step.
ROAD RAGE
I'm driving down the road. Somebody cuts me off on the road; almost runs into my car. Idiot! I shout. Then for minutes afterward I start dwelling on all the bad driving I see out on the roads. They're all idiots! -- finally I remember.. ah I'm not happy, I'm in resentment. 10th step! I say the prayer. God please remove my resentment; God please remove my anger and resentment. Show me how I can be of service to others. Thy will not mine be done.
SELFISHNESS AT THE MARKET
I'm at the market and hand a ten dollar bill to the cashier for $8.19 worth of groceries I've just bought. She hands me back change of $11.79 as if she thought I handed her a twenty. I notice and with my old alcoholic mind I say to myself Oh yea! Free money! I pocket the cash and walk away. Then I catch myself. Oh yea, I am an alcoholic in AA trying to do recovery the AA way and I am to put the 10th step in my life. I just have been dishonest. I need to make amends now for this dishonesty. I go back to the counter and tell the cashier. "Sorry I realized you gave me too much change. You gave me change for a twenty when I gave you a ten. Here's the money back." I say a prayer after. God please remove my dishonesty. Show me how I can be of service to others. Thy will not mine be done.
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