Spot Check Inventory Types (Brand New Feature!)

The My Spiritual Toolkit app has added a new feature to its Spot Check Inventory which enables users to break down their entries by type.  This allows users to do a more thorough inventory and track patterns in their spot checks.

Now you can classify your spot check inventories as a) Resentment, b) Fear, c) Harm to Others or d) Sex Conduct.  The following pictures illustrate what this feature looks like:

Resentment

 

The first type, Resentment, closely resembles the Spot Check Inventory feature you’ve been using in MSTK.  The only difference being the bottom part which now asks “My mistakes:  Where have I been selfish, dishonest or afraid?”  Here is a link to the Joe & Charlie AA Worksheet guide to creating a Resentment Inventory.

http://aaworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/inventory-of-resentments.pdf

Fear

The second section covers Fear.  Here is the Joe & Charlie worksheet for creating a Fear Inventory.

http://aaworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/inventory-of-fears.pdf

Also, here is an excerpt from page 68 of the Big Book which discusses Fear:

“We reviewed our fears thoroughly.  We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them.  We asked ourselves why we had them.  Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us?  Self reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn’t go far enough.  Some of us once had great self-confidence, but it didn’t fully solve the fear problem, or any other.”

Harm

Section 3 is for “harm.”  The Joe & Charlie worksheet document “Inventory of Harm to Others” can be found here…

http://aaworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/inventory-of-harm-to-others.pdf

Sex

The last section is on Sex:  Click here to find the Joe & Charlie “Inventory of Sex Conduct” worksheet.     

http://aaworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/inventory-of-sex-conduct.pdf

Also, here is more information taken from page 69 of the Big Book:

“We all have sex problems.  We’d hardly be human if we didn’t.  What can we do about them?  We reviewed our own conduct over the years past.  Where had we been selfish, dishonest, or inconsiderate?  Whom had we hurt?  Did we unjustifiably arouse jealousy, suspicion or bitterness?  Where were we at fault, what should we have done instead?  We got this all down on paper and looked at it.  In this way we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal for our future sex life.”

The Spot Check Inventory Types feature can be added onto your spiritual toolkit app for only 99 cents.  

 

Pin Lock Protection Feature

Further protect your My Spiritual Toolkit by creating a Personal Identification Number (PIN) Lock.  This brand new feature will help prevent others from accessing your journal entries, inventories and sobriety date.

security pin

Confidentiality and anonymity are vital components in recovery from alcoholism.  A common fear among Alcoholics Anonymous members is that someone will discover they attend AA or read their step work.  Adding Pin Lock Protection to your spiritual toolkit will prevent friends, family, employers, co-workers, etc… from accessing your sensitive data or breaking your anonymity.  This is especially important if others have access to you phone such as your spouse or kids or if you were to suddenly lose your phone.

Creating a 4 digit security pin will give you piece of mind knowing that no one will see your step work or journals unless you wand them to. Furthermore, having a PIN enables you to login faster to your account.  Instead of having to enter your username (email) and password, just key in the PIN number of your choice for easier, quicker access.  Simply exit My Spiritual Toolkit or open another App and your PIN Lock is instantly activated.

More information coming soon…

 

 

New Nightly Inventory Tool

My Spiritual Toolkit now includes a Nightly Inventory Tool.  This will enable users to practice their 11th step and review pg. 85 of the A.A. Big Book while on the go.

Under  “Tools,” simply select the Nightly Inventory tab to begin:    

01 Tools

Next, you can review your previous saved inventories or select “Add” to start a new entry.

02 NightlyHome

The Nightly Inventory will help you work Step 11 and includes information taken directly from Page 85 of the Big Book which states:

“Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions.  When we retire at night, we constructively review our day

Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid?

Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some­ thing to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

Were we kind and loving toward all?

What could we have done better?

Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?

This feature will take you through each of these questions in detail…

03 NightlyDetails

04 NightlyEdit

05 NightlyDone

After you’ve completed your inventory, the section concludes with another quote from pg. 85:  “But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others.  After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.”

This easy to use feature will help you keep track of your daily 10 & 11 step inventories with convience and security.

Email Spot Check Inventories

The My Spiritual Toolkit app gives you the ability to email your Spot Check inventories to your sponsor or trusted advisor.

This convenient and easy to use feature will help save time when you are on the go or unable to talk to your sponsor in person.

This is crucial to recovery especially when you have a pressing resentment jeopardizing your sobriety or spirituality.

The Big Book of A.A. talks about the dangers of keeping things to ourselves and that we are only as “sick as our secrets.”  A question on the daily tenth step inventory asks, “Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?”  My Spiritual Toolkit will enable you to keep in close contact with your sponsor and others in the AA fellowship.

The following screenshots show how this app works:

AddAndEmail

email

photo

On-the-go Convenience & Privacy: The Benefits of Using My Spiritual Toolkit’s Mobile Version

MST Mobile Home Screenshot

 

Just because you’re in the process of recovering from alcoholism doesn’t mean life will slow down. Instead it will move forward, and so must you.

Often times moving forward means being on the constant go. In effect, this means that if you’re using journaling as part of your alcoholic recovery process, then you don’t have time to sit down and write your feelings out.

There’s another problem that arises with paper journaling: privacy. If you mistakenly leave your journal out, someone might “accidentally” read it. Although a journal is a private matter and it’s likely closed, people nowadays will still somehow invite themselves to opening your journal; thus, reading your private thoughts.

Oh, what scandals can occur from private information!

It’s so good to know that both of these situations are avoidable – thanks to Myspiritualtoolkit.com.

How Myspiritualtoolkit.com Gives You Convenience

Myspiritualtoolkit.com is all about convenience and privacy. It’s provided through the following two features:

  • The journal
  • Spot Check Inventories

Journal Mobile Preview

 

 

With the journal, you simply type in an entry. Whatever you want to express – anger, sadness, joy, etc. – do so with the assurance that your thoughts will remain private. This is because all data is encrypted; you’re the only person who will have access to it. If you want to add an extra sense of security for your own peace of mind, create a fictitious name.

Remember, however, that you’re the only writer and reader in Myspirtualtoolkit.com’s journal. In addition, you can edit and delete entries at any time.

With Spot Check Inventories, this is an opportunity to quickly express your resentment. When you’re angry, you need to dispose this emotion fast so that it won’t eat at your soul throughout the remainder of the day.

Spot Checks Mobilespot checks web app

 

So, Spot Check Inventories is just the right feature to type:

  • Who you’re feeling resentful towards
  • The reason you’re feeling resentful
  • How this resentment affects you
  • What’s your part (fault) in the situation

So, don’t worry about sparing time to write in a journal anymore. Just have access to an internet connection at home (computer) or on the go (mobile devices and tablets) and journal via typing.

How Myspirtualtoolkit.com Gives You Privacy

While Myspiritualtoolkit.com eliminates the possibility of losing your journal, it’s even better that it gives you something more priceless: privacy.

As mentioned earlier, all data is encrypted and password protected. Using the same security as banks, your data is transmitted over SSL.

spotcheck details

 

So, go ahead, write whatever you’re feeling. Whether you hate your spouse, feel attracted to someone else, tempted to slap your boss … whatever, just type in your journal without the fear of being discovered and judged.

Conclusion

sobriety calculator

 

With the help of journaling, you’re accomplishing the hard task of recovering from alcoholism.

Don’t sacrifice journaling by not having time. And don’t lose your privacy by having it invaded. Instead gain convenience and privacy while on the go with Myspiritualtoolkit.com.

How Journaling is Beneficial to Recovering Alcoholics

How Journaling is Beneficial to Recovering Alcoholics

Instead of holding your thoughts in your head, put them in a journal.

When you’re recovering from alcoholism, you’re on a mission to get your life back on track. Attending Alcoholics Anonymous is advantageous. Having the support of family and friends is also helpful.
There is something else you can do to help you along your journey of recovering from alcoholism. That process is called journaling.

What is Journaling?

Journaling is the process of recording your personal thoughts. While it can be done on a daily basis, it’s up to you how often you journal; for you might feel a need to journal several times a day.

Regardless how often you journal, it’s a beneficial process that recovering alcoholics should partake in.

The Benefits of Journaling

Here’s how people on the road to recovery from alcoholism benefit from journaling:

  • You can discover yourself. It’s often hard to be honest with ourselves. We’re all quick to judge others, but fall short of being honest about our own faults. With journaling, however, it’s inescapable. You write what’s in your heart, and what’s in it is the truth about yourself. There’s no denying what’s written about you … particularly when you’re the person who wrote it.

 

  • This is the opportunity to vent. Whatever stress you’re feeling from trying to be sober can be expressed in journaling. Whether you feel sad, happy, mad … it’s yours to express via journaling. Pouring out your emotions can be as healing as talking to a psychologist – only cheaper.

 

  • It’s a chance for accountability. Too often we like to vocally blame others for our problems. With journaling, you can rightfully pinpoint the blame on yourself. This can be done because journaling enables you to be honest with yourself minus the fear of facing judgment from others. Sometimes people blame others out of fear of being judged. Journaling takes this fear and possibility away. Thus, you’re left with the realization of your behavior; thus, holding you accountable for your own actions.

 

  • You can set forth goals. When you write down your goals, it sets your mind to achieve them. This is no different for people who journal while recovering from alcohol. It doesn’t matter what your goals are in regards to beating your alcoholic addiction, journaling it can set your mind in motion to achieve. And that’s a good thing since the mind is strong.

 

  • You can track your progress. Life is all about change. No matter what you’re going through, you should change for the better. When you keep a journal, you have the chance to track your progress and see how your far you’ve come and how much farther you need to improve.

 

How to Protect Your Journal

It’s normal to want to guard your thoughts. It’s the reason some people don’t journal: the fear of their journal being found and read by others. As a result of this discovery, your thoughts are exposed and you’re embarrassed.

There’s no need for this fear anymore.

Password Protected Journal for Recovering Alcoholics

MySpiritualToolkit.com’s Password Protected Online Journal

MySpirtualToolkit.com provides you with security. It has an online journal that’s password protected. Whatever you write online stays online … for your eyes only.

Make your road to recovery easier by journaling. And keep your thoughts private with MySpirtualToolkit.com.

Where’s Your Fourth Step?

Where's My Fourth Step Uh Oh Pic

I’ve been sober over 16 years and during this time I’ve written over 10 annual Fourth Step Inventories, 1,000’s of Spot Check Inventories, and over 10,000 Journal Entries using paper and pen, computer spreadsheets, and word documents.

What’s really scary is the fact that I have no idea where any of these are located today. My paper written inventories may be tucked away in an old clothes drawer in my parents basement… My computer inventories may be saved on one of my old computers in an unencrypted format… I really have no idea.

My Wife Read My Journal

Wife Angry After Reading Husbands Fourth Step InventoryTo make it easy for me to remember to journal each night I used to keep my journal in a drawer next to my bed. One night I forgot and left it sitting out on my side of the bed. My wife didn’t recognize the notebook as being my personal diary/journal and picked it up and started reading it. Unfortunately the first page she read was one that I had written several weeks before when I was feeling guilty over the lustful feelings I was having toward a woman at work!

I quickly learned that day why the big book says to discuss your resentments and fears with someone who will not be greatly affected by them. I have never been unfaithful to my wife or acted on any of these lustful urges and had already thoroughly discussed this issue with my sponsor several weeks before and moved on but now I was forced to discuss it again with my wife of all people. And to make matters worse she was on bed rest at the time recovering from a miscarriage with our second child! This was NOT good for our relationship.

His Wife Read His Fourth Step

Wife Finds Fourth Step While Cleaning Under Couch Luckily my sponsor forewarned me to make sure to keep my fourth step hidden from my wife in a secure location. One of his previous sponsees thought they had hidden their fourth step in a secure location underneath his couch but it wasn’t secure enough because his wife did in fact find his fourth step. Some of the things he had written in his fourth step were so damaging to his relationship with his wife that they got a divorce. Unfortunately this is not the only time I’ve heard of this happening to people in the program.

MySpiritualToolkit.com Uses The Same Security as Online Banking to Protect Your Data

Your Fourth Step is Secure in MySpiritualToolkitAny data you enter into My Spiritual Toolkit is password protected and transmitted over a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encrypted connection using the same security technology as banks. Next, your data is encrypted a second time before being saved to the database so that no one but you will ever see your data.

This is infinitely more secure than storing your resentments and journal entries on a piece of paper or local computer where anyone can find them. But if it makes you feel more secure when entering resentments or journal entries on MySpiritualToolkit.com you can always use fake names that only you would recognize.

P.S. You too can start sleeping better at night knowing your Journal Entries and Inventories are password protected and stored in an encrypted format today by using MySpiritualToolkit.com! Login to our Secure Site and give it a try… It could save your marriage! 🙂

AA Spot Check Inventory Tool

The purpose of this blog post is to help you learn how to use the the AA Spot Check Inventory feature of MySpiritualToolkit.com (MST) to maintain and strengthen your sobriety.

Mr. Brown AA Spot Check Inventory

Create Mr. Brown Spot-check Inventory Example

 

I use this feature often when I’m on the go and a resentment crops up.  For example, I was at a party recently and had harsh words with a friend.  Using my smart phone, I was able to quickly do a spot check inventory without anyone even noticing!   I then saw my part and was able to make prompt amends to my friend.

 

Call your sponsor!

I always try to discuss my resentments with someone in the program, preferably my sponsor but sometimes they’re hard to get a hold of…  Do you think it would be beneficial to have the ability to post a resentment anonymously to a secure forum for feedback from other sober members of MST?  If so, please email me and let me know…

 

Is there a Mobile App?

I haven’t coded the full mobile version of MST yet, but you can still use MST on your smart phone by logging into MST from your smart phone’s browser here https://secure.myspiritualtoolkit.com.  You may want to bookmark this page for easy access in the future.

 

Does it time-stamp my AA Spot Check Inventory?

Funny you should ask, yes it does!

Time-stamped AA Spot Check Inventory Example

Time-stamped Spot-Check Inventory Example

MST time-stamps your spot check inventories so that you can look back at what you were resentful about in the past to see patterns in your resentments and hopefully keep them from happening again in the future.  Personally I’ve found it’s also helpful for me to see that some of things that were so painful and scary to me in the past ended up being nothing more than boogeymen.

 

What’s the best way to enter resentments in MySpiritualToolkit?

The easiest way to enter them is via a keyboard on my computer. However, the beauty of MST is that because it’s a web application you can access your data from any internet enabled device.

For example tonight I did my journal entry on a Mac computer but last night I was able to use my Windows desktop PC. Now, all my spot check inventories are securely stored in one single location. And I don’t have to worry about my wife or anyone else ever finding them. This is much safer than my paper versions that I’ve used in the past but more on that in the next newsletter…

 

P.S. The next time selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear crop up, log in to MySpiritualToolkit.com and give the AA Spot Check Inventory tool a try: https://secure.myspiritualtoolkit.com

 

 

What’s Planned for the Future?

There are many great features to come on MySpiritualToolkit.com.

I’m going to implement the following features in the following order of priority:

  1. Finish this website site up –  I still need to implement the Tour page and the Pricing Page.
  2. I also have to figure out how much I’m going to charge for this application and set up payment processing probably with PayPal and 2CheckOut.
  3. Mobile version of application –  Plane to have it run on iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry.   I plan to use PhoneGap to make my development life easier since I’m already comfortable with the programming language used by PhoneGap, namely JavaScript and HTML.
  4. Gratitude List –  The list needs to be smart enough to know when I’m entering the same gratitudes day in and day out and display a warning message that hey!  You just entered that gratitude yesterday can’t you think of something else?  But be nice of course.
  5. Private Membership Forum – This will be a nice area for people serious about recover to share our experience, strength, and hope with each other.  Because this site will not be free you will know that the other members are serious about their recover, serious enough to pay money for this tool and to be part of this community.

Introduction to My Spiritual Toolkit – Your Daily Reprieve from Alcoholism

My name is Nathan and I’m the creator of MySpiritualToolkit.com.  I’m also a grateful recovering member of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) with over 16 years years of sobriety.

The Big Book says we are given a daily reprieve from alcohol based on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.  The goal of this application is to use technology to make it easier for us to maintain our spiritual condition on a daily basis and not relapse back into alcoholism.  It also says that alcohol is a subtle foe!  source: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_bigbook_chapt6.pdf

So I’m creating this to help you get your daily reprieve from alcoholism by working the 10th step on a daily basis.

Thanks to the program of A.A. I was able to go back to college after I got sober and studied computer information systems and have been a Software Engineer for over 10 years now.

About 6 months into my sobriety I was so afraid that someone would find my first written fourth step that I cut it up into tiny pieces and threw it away in a public dumpster out of fear that someone would find it.  Unfortunately I hadn’t started to work on my 8th step Amends List yet and my sponsor pointed out that normally people use the fourth column of their fourth step list to create this list…  We both got a good laugh out of it.  🙂

I’m not as paranoid as I was back then but my personal inventories still need to be private unless I share them with a sponsor.

The past 10 years or so I’ve been creating inventories in spread sheets and writing my nightly journal entries using google docs.  Basically I had things spread out all over the place and no secure way to quickly access them when on the go.  I also wanted my entries to be automatically time stamped so that I could view previous journal entries and resentments.

I also wanted to be able to do a tailored step study guide in an online interactive format with guidance from the best step study guides available for example I’m a big fan of the Joe and Charlie tapes and I’ve enjoyed doing some of the other step study guides available.  My problem is that everything is in paper format and I wanted an interactive way to complete the step study guides.

I also wanted a secure forum to communicate with other alcoholics not one that is freely open to anyone that can register.  This would help ensure that only people serious about their recovery are in the forums.

I’d like to be able to build and provide all these features for free but that’s simply not possible.  I will however be donating 100% of all net profits to charity and I offer hardship discounts to anyone in need of a free membership.

I met my wife in the program 12 years ago and we have been married the last 10 years.  We have two wonderful children ages seven and four.  I’ve received so many gifts from the program of A.A. and the 12 Steps that as I’ve heard in the rooms I wouldn’t trade my worst day in recovery for my best day of drinking.

And finally I wanted something to help me gauge when I was slipping in my program and resting on my laurels which the longer I’ve been sober the easier it is to do.  The big book describes it as your daily reprieve from alcoholism because we will never be cured of alcoholism what we get is a daily reprieve on the basis of our spiritual condition.

My next step is to create the mobile version of the application which I think will really help people work the program when they are on the go!

Thanks! and more later….