Continue To Take Personal Moral Inventory
Step 10 – “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
To briefly summarize, in previous steps we: admitted we were powerless over (fill in the blank); decided to turn our life over to God; made a fearless moral inventory; admitted the nature of our wrongs; asked God to remove defects of character and made amends to all we have harmed.
So we kind of have a clean slate here. Lets not let it pile up again!
The AA 12 & 12 tells us, “A continuous look at our assets and liabilities, and a real desire to learn and grow by this means, are necessities for us……….More experienced people, of course, in all times and places have practiced unsparing self-survey and criticism. For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching becomes a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong.”
Now we will take what we have learned in the previous nine steps with us into our new way of life. Steps 10, 11 & 12 are often referred to as Maintenance Steps. They helps us to continue in our new way of life following the principles of Christ and seeking his will in our lives.
Some people take daily, weekly or monthly inventories. We need to do them rather frequently so we don’t forget things. But more importantly, if we have mistreated someone we need to make our amends swiftly so hard feelings don’t grow and fester. If we wait too long no matter how sincere our amends is it may not be accepted.
If we have taken a negative action toward another person making a sincere amends and admitting as quickly as possible can be just as important in a relationship as saying, “I love you”. Of course, we must keep in mind that we can’t keep acting in that same way requiring frequent amends or the other person will stop believing our sincerity. Then we have lost trust and we will be back at square one.
But, because we “continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong we promptly admit it” this won’t happen 
This is a great post! Thank you so much, it put a lot in perspective
Thanks Mike! Read the previous nine steps I wrote about and it may make even more sense
Thanks for sharing. This is a very personal and heart wrenching journey for some.
Thanks Mary, you are doing great and learning so much that is important.
Kathleen
Thank you so much Kathleen!
I firmly believe in taking a personal inventory, but how hard it is to forgive and let go!
Very true, Corinne, thanks for stopping by!
I also believe in taking a personal inventory at least once a month, especially when you’re working on goals or moving towards self-improvement.
#debbieinshape forgot to add this
I am always forgetting those! Thanks for stopping by Kimberly!
This is a great post, and it really makes sense to have the “To Strive For” list. Sometimes, we always focus on the negativity of the liabilities that we forget the positive attributes we should have. Thanks!
Thanks again Mary. Important for us all.
Kathleen #debbieinshape
This is an important exercise for everyone. I do like the liabilities/assets lists. I think that is worth printing or writing out in a journal to look at regularly. Thank you, Mary! #debbieinshape
I like this idea of continuing to take a moral inventory. I like to journal about my feelings and my spiritual thoughts, questions, etc. I should incorporate these contemplations into that practice.
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely week.
xoxo
In my not so active days, I end up having enough time to reflect and go through my inventory. We have to learn and improve. That is what all experiences are about.
Thank you so much for sharing it on #debbieinshape friends, Mary!
That is true, Debbie, thanks for stopping by!
Personal inventory is such a key part to living life openly and fully, at least for me. I know that when I’m cognizant of my own stuff, other things around me ‘seem’ to work better and I’m much happier and more open to and with others!
You are so right…..thanks for stopping by!
This is a great idea. I’ve never thought about doing this but it makes sense. It really keeps you focus on the things you want to do. It’s the only way to self improvement. Thanks for sharing. #ConfessionsLinkUp
Thanks for stopping by Amy!
Great post, negative feelings or actions doesn’t help anyone. Thank you for sharing.
What a lovely post and great idea. If only everyone had a daily moral inventory we might live in a happier world. Thanks for sharing this idea with us at #anythinggoes.
I LOVE your list! Daily we need to check our hearts, and this list is a great prompt! (I may or may not have recognized a few undesirable traits on there.)
Thanks for sharing this inspiring post on Mom’s Morning Coffee, I’m your neighbor today!
Thanks so much Ruthie!