October 10

In our active addiction, we seldom made our own decisions. Our decisions were made for us by default.

Sometimes our decisions were made for us by others. As using addicts, we were guided by what seemed to be animal instincts. We acted out of impulse and most of the times; the results were negative.

We were creating problems on top of the original problem. We Lived in the problem instead of the Solution. Learning how not to act on impulse is a result of Practicing the Principles of Narcotics Anonymous. We learn that by hitting the pause button before acting or reacting can make all the difference in the world, and saves us a lot of grief.

Step Ten reminds us to take those extra ten seconds, or dismiss those first ten ideas, to act and not react; to stop and give ourselves the Privilege of thinking. Our Literature reminds us that a Clean addict is in an abnormal state. Recovery has been described by some like a right-handed person doing things with their left hand. We can start our day over at any given time. We can take a spot check Inventory during the day.

We can use Step Ten as a pressure relief valve. We Practice the preventive part of the Step to avoid the corrective part.

We make self-restraint a habit and act with Positive actions and attitudes. We Practice these Spiritual Principles until they become automatic.