inventory

In my 12 Step Program there is a 10th Step which tells us to take a daily inventory and when we are wrong, promptly admit it. I made a list of questions to ask myself each day, preferably at night before bedtime. I would like to copy those down here as they are very good when you use them. I also have some questions I learned from Church which I use daily, even weekly would help.

l. Do I enjoy going out of my way for others or am I constantly expecting others to go out of their way for me?

2. Do I avoid taking another person's inventory?

3. Have I ever listed and analyzed my fears?

4. Can I start each new day with hope of making it better then the day before?

5. Do I still care enough to make changes in my life?

6. Do I try to understand anothers position even though I may not agree with it?

7. Do I treat others kindly?

8. If I keep on going the way I am going, will I get better?

9. Am I good to myself?

10. Do I bounce back from upsetting situations?

11. Can I make mistakes without getting angry at myself?

12. Do I make a conscious effort to count my blessings?

13. Do I try to avoid being overprotective and overbearing?

14. How long has it been since I did a kind deed for someone?

15. Am I pleasant to my loved ones friends?

16. Can I learn from my mistakes?

17. Have I made a gratitude list?

18. How often do I tell others I love them?

19. Can I detach from other peoples problems and still love them as people?

20. Do I understand the healing relief of acknowledge my faults?

21. Have I allowed myself to harbour resentment?

22. Do I take my frustration out on my children?

23. Can I resolve not to play God in relation to other peoples lives?

24. Do I avoid finding fault with all my accomplishments?

25. Do I ask God to do for me what I cannot do for myself?

26. Am I relaxed and calm with others?

27. Do I live in my problems or look for solutions?

28. When I am in old thinking habits, do I stop and ask God to take them away?

29. Do I ask myself "how important is it?"

30. Have my relationships improved with my family, friends? Do I owe an apology?

31. Am I thinking of myself most of the time?

32. Do I ask God to direct my thinking?

33. Do I realize I have a choice?
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34. Did I step back to think today before I spoke?

35. Did I put on the armour of God today? Eph. 6

36. Do I listen carefully to opinions of others?

37. Have I been kind to senior citizens today?

38. Do I accept responsibility for my actions and behaviour?

39. Was I God's agent of love today?

40. Did I dress becomingly, talk softly, act courteous to people today?

When examining conscience I ask the following questions: l. Have I talked with God today? 2. Do I offer God my difficulties, joys and sorrows? 3. Have I love and reverence for Gods name? 4. Are their false gods I am worshipping? 5. Have I a genuine love for my neighbours? 6. Do I share my possessions with the less fortunate? 7. Do I help the victims of oppression, misfortune and poverty? 8. Have I done my duty as a citizen? 9. Have I obeyed authority and given it due respect? 10. Where is my life leading me? 11. Have I tried to grow in the life of the Spirt by praying, reading Gods word, spending time with Him each day, fellowshipping with other believers? 12. What use have I made of Gods gifts to me? Time, health, strength? 13. Have I stolen the property of others? Have I damaged it? 14. Have I been truthful and fair? Have I injured others by deceit, rash judgement? 15. Have I kept the precept of fasting and abstinence?

Some thoughts from my program, "if we are going to get better we need to be aware fully of how we have contributed to strained or broken relations in the past. We need to be aware of tendencies to think of other people as objects which we can control, manipulate, ignore, according to our whims. We will not change overnight, but we can be willing to take a hard look at our behaviour and honestly try to see where we have acted in ways that sabatage relationships. How have we kidded ourselves by hiding, making alibis, ratioinalizing, justifying, tellling half truths, being phony, breaking promises? Face the truth about yourself - take responsibility for what we feel, say and do, we do not have to cover up our mistakes and pretend we are perfect. Pride is the chief block to true progress - it lures us into making demands on others and ourselves which cannot be met. We have to continue thinking, learning and living recovery. Inventory is essential." -

Ask yourself Am I in harmony with Gods will? How is my serenity? Is my thinking reasonably sane? Are my relationships with my family smooth and flowing? Do I practice acceptance? How did I do today? Have I sought Gods glory or my own glory? Have I allowed bitterness to take root? Has LOVE been my motive in everything? 1 Corinthians 13.l If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I AM NOTHING. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I GAIN NOTHING. LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND, IT DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD, IT IS NOT RUDE, IT IS NOT SELF SEEKING, IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS. LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERS. LOVE NEVER FAILS.