October 27, 2011

Just for Today ¹

by Tami • Addiction, Alcoholism, Codependence, Recovery • Tags: 12-Steps, al-anon, gratitude, just for today; grief; overwhelmed;

Perhaps one of the biggest blessings I have received in my recovery and through the Al-Anon program has been the release of tomorrow.  So often I have felt overwhelmed in my life, trying to figure out where to go from here, which way do I turn, how is this decision today going to “screw” me tomorrow… I’ve lost many good days to being afraid of tomorrow.

On the flip-side, I have been guilty of looking at my ever-overflowing plate of responsibilities and virtually shutting down from all of the pressure I felt to get it all done right away. Once I learned the valuable slogan, “How important is it?”, I was able to release my need to complete every single task every day on my to-do list.  I learned how to have healthy expectations of myself and let go of the feeling that I had to have an immaculately clean house, a perfectly manicured yard, a refrigerator full of food, and at least thirty minutes a day spent on every hobby I have. Oh, and somewhere in there, I have to work full-time, be a good mommy, have a social life, and work my program.  Feel free to chuckle.

Lastly, I am grateful for a snip-it I heard in a meeting several months ago.  Someone in my home group shared, “What is now will not always be.”  I’m so grateful for that reminder today. I’m grateful that the sadness and grief I feel right now will eventually go away.  I’m grateful that I was able to face a full day and not get overwhelmed.  I didn’t get it all done, but I did a little bit of everything which is moving me in the right direction.  Progress, not perfection, right?

I have attached the poem, Just for Today, which is used in the Al-Anon program as well as other 12-step programs, I believe.  It is a great tool for me to use and a wonderful reminder that my life is truly lived one day at a time and to give myself grace.

  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 twelve hours that
would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today: I will be happy. This
assume to be true what Abraham Lincoln said,
*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 into it

Just for today:I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will read something that requires effort.
Thought and concentration.

Just for today: I will exercise my soul
in three ways: it will do somebody a good turn
and not get found out; if anybody know of it, it
will not count. I will do at least two things I
don’t want to do– just for 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 else 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’s.

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 un-afraid.
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 back to me.