Keeping the Slate Clean
With Step Ten we try to keep our slates clean in order not to slip back into self-destructive patterns.
My old pattern was 'stuff and explode.' I would deny my resentments and ignore my fears until the pressure became unbearable, resulting in an emotional blowout. Step Ten is the antidote to this self-destructive cycle. It encourages me to use a spiritual squeegee every day to prevent the buildup. The goal is to keep my slate clean so that a minor trigger doesn't send me spiraling back into chaos.
This Step is less about the grand spiritual adventure and more about preventative maintenance. It costs me the dramatic satisfaction of the explosion, but it grants me consistent peace. I am learning that daily emotional housekeeping protects my mental health. By catching small dishonesties or missteps right away, I stop them from creating the fertile ground where self-destructive patterns used to flourish.
Before checking email or the news this morning, I will write down: 'If I were to slip today, what defect would I use?' Naming the danger helps me keep my slate clean and focus on the solution.
