AND IN ALL THINGS WAS I LOVING?

In the 12 Step Program, the 10^th Step Inventory is one where we view a single page of character traits. Each trait is identified by three separate attributes listed along a spectrum ranging from “SHORTCOMINGS” to “WORKING TOWARDS” to “ASSETS.”  For example, along the character trait we might call “Self-Awareness” fall three levels of that attribute:

SELF-AWARENESS

Self-Righteous..........Taking Responsibility………....Admitting Mistakes

And at the bottom, is the question “And in all things was I loving?”

 “And in all things was I loving?” 

When we do a personal inventory to highlight our faults, too often we internalize the resultant guilt.  Yet when we place ourselves in the crucible of the insightful question, “And in all things was I loving?” we are able to separate the things we have done with love and the best intentions from those done without any love or compassion at all.  If we do a daily inventory, or examination of conscience, let us do so in its intended context… let us assess the character we have shown through our actions and follow by asking ourselves, “In these actions, was I loving?”

Of course we must give priority and attention to deep character defects, but thanks to our Higher Power (whom some of us call “God,”) we have a useful tool to discern which actions point to defects needing such attention, and which others might point to flaws or oversights more easily correctable.

Each of us has flaws. Each of us falls prey to temptation.  When we seek a process of introspection to discern areas of needed change, we can borrow from the 12-Step Program to separate our missteps from our true character flaws.  

Ask yourself, after you harm another person through something you did or did not do, “In these actions, was I loving?”