One Day at a Time

“Echos of the past remind you to be present now.  Your life is happening right now, right here, are you there?  Do not look to the past that is gone.  Do not anticipate the future, for no one is guaranteed a future.  So that leaves right now, this minute.  This is it”.     Taken from "Me Against The World" Tupac 1995

Throughout our drinking careers, there comes times where we promise to give it up and never drink again.  Although at the time we think we are making an honest decision, the obsession to drink can become overwhelming and more often than not we start again.  Family and friends get tired of our broken promises and when the day comes that we join a recovery group and we start a program with all good intentions, they cannot believe that we will keep up the pledge we have made to ourselves and our fellow addicts.

Although we realise that alcoholism is a permanent, irreversible condition, our experience has taught us to make no long-term promises about staying sober.  We have found it more realistic and more successful to say, “I am not taking a drink just for today.”

If a situation arises which overwhelms us and brings on the urge to return to the bottle, it is suggested to break down the day into hours and even minutes.  We can endure the temporary discomfort of not drinking for one hour, then one more and eventually the hours add up.  Once the obsession is lifted and we do not drink for just one day, the days add up. 

Tomorrow I will be celebrating two years of sobriety – rather proud of myself to say the least – but I am really only sober one day at a time.  We let go of the past as part of our steps in the AA program.  There is no tomorrow, for if and when tomorrow comes, it will be the present.  So all we have is today.  We learn to live in the moment.

I would like to share a piece of literature that is used occasionally in AA and Alanon.  The words can be adapted to anyone struggling with life for whatever reason.

Just for today ……………….

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once.  I can do something for 12 hours that would appal me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime. 

Just for today I will be happy.  This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be". 

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.  I will learn something useful.  I will not be a mental loafer.  I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.  I WILL WRITE (added by me!).

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count.  I will do at least 2 things I don't want to do - just for the exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it. 

Just for today I will be agreeable.  I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit.  I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests:  Hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax.  During this half-hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life. 

Just for today I will be unafraid.  Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give unto me.