Not surprisingly, this unusual collection of steps represents somewhat of a departure – both from the pattern of combinations of steps employed in this series of discussions to this point – and, perhaps, even from the point of what has been shared as commonly grouped steps in our meetings. Rest assured, it is not a combination scheme derived, somehow, simply from a desire to “speed things up a bit.”

In fact, perhaps this choice merits a bit of explanation.

When our new man faltered at the prospect of inventory as he began his Step 4 work, of course we recommended to him that he examine that reluctance in the light of the “decision” (BB p59) he made at Step 3. Considered in that way, his lingering fear of inventory was moved directly into the bright light of the AA program's frankness and honesty. To his sponsor, his response was a sign. It was time to either forge ahead or return to Step 3 for a more complete understanding and acceptance of precisely what he had agreed to as he worked through it.

Likewise, at Step 6. The words were simple enough, but his determination to be “entirely ready,” (BB p59) as all experienced sponsors know, was to be tested at Step 7. The new man was engaged in the challenge of facing some profound changes in his thinking, many of which were not exactly always comfortable. If there were to be any uncertainty or hesitation during his work at Step 7, his response was – just as it was at step 4 – a sign which posed the question of forging ahead with Step 7 or returning to Step 6 and re-engaging the “entirely ready” idea for a more complete foundation.

Now, although three steps, that is, Steps 8, 9 and 10, have been grouped together here, we will consider the similarities of the process in Steps 8 and 9 to those in Steps 4 and 5 (this discussion includes Step 3 in this instance) and Steps 6 and 7. In each case, certain preparatory development was necessary before moving ahead. This is, undoubtedly, the basis for the wise AA idea of “working the steps in order” which we, hopefully, hear frequently in our meetings.

This common pattern is repeated in our approach to Steps 8 and 9. In this case, Step 8's “willingness” is the key to being ready for Step 9's amends. If your sponsee falters at the prospect of making difficult amends, you will, of course, refer him to the brave and determined willingness he was seeking from his Step 8 work.

So, why add Step 10? What do these three steps have in common?

One important feature of this group of our steps deals very directly with behavior. The new man's behavior during his alcoholic drinking and alcoholic thinking history has almost inevitably left damage of such a grave nature that it cannot be allowed to “hide in wait” for a later opportunity to sabotage his spiritual development or even his sobriety. Steps 8 and 9 address such matters from his past. Step 10 proposes a means to address such matters should they occur in his future, that is, during his life in recovery.

Hence, this group of three steps. All address the matter of an alcoholic's behavior, past, present and future. All address his spiritual make up and outlook, the engines which will inevitably determine not only his behavior, but even more importantly, the foundation and motivation of that behavior. As has always been the case, his spirit will direct his thoughts, and his thoughts will define his actions. Just as with all the other goals of AA step work, his recovery here will be excitingly material when viewed through the lens of the three common factors of alcoholic cause and result: behavior, thought and spirit.