The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's reading in C2C is about One Day at a Time. When we are able to focus on just today, this one day, we can be more realistic about improving our situation. Living one day at a time helps us get rid of that sense of constant urgency.
One Day at a Time is a simple concept that allows us to realize no problem last forever in reality. Most of us desired to solve problems quickly fearing it would remain forever. We learn in program that everything does truly pass eventually - happy and sad.
We learn to ask ourselves, "What can I do about this right here and right now?" This question helps us identify our responsibility more realistically and shows us what part of any situation is beyond our own power to control. Talking to others and reasoning things out in a meeting or a discussion can help determine today's problems from those in the past or future. We can then take necessary action and turn over the rest.
Today's reminder --- I can cope more effectively with difficult situations when I am realistic about my responsibilities. I have the tools I need to face today's challenges. I will trust my Higher Power with tomorrow.
Today's quote from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon --- "Today is only a small manageable segment of time in which our difficulties need not overwhelm us. This lifts from our hearts and minds the heavy weight of both past and future."
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I am one who arrived dreaded the future and disappointed in the past. In my drama-filled thinking mind, I could not understand what on Earth I had done to deserve all the pain and agony. I rarely, if ever, was focused on the here and the now, let alone this single day.
When I was first asked to focus on One Day at a Time, I thought that was silly. If I don't plan for the future, I will fail. If I don't learn from the past, I will repeat. How on earth do we stay focused on just today?
I needed a sponsor to show me and remind me often that my way got me here, and that it was fine to plan for the future and learn from the past, but dwelling on either was destructive to the spirit within. I had to be taught and shown that I was missing great beauty, blessings and miracles by never being present in the moment.
It took me a ton of practice to learn to live One Day at a Time. My crazy brain still at times wants to go forward or backwards. I now have tools to bring me back to reality which is right here and right now. It's a great life and a beautiful day when I can stay grounded in the moment. I am grateful for One Day at a Time and the peace it brings me to be/stay focused on what I can do vs. what I have no control over.
Happy Thursday to one and all! A full day of errands and softball tonight. Softball ends this Sunday until Spring and I readily admit I am looking forward to the break.....make it a great day!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Great reminder Thanks IAM. It took a great deal of effort and many slogans for me to develop the ODAT thinking. It is now part of my being and I no longer project to the future or take trips down memory lane. Thanks for your service.Enjoy teh day
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 12:51:50 PM
Such a great page, thank you for your service and your ESH. I relate so well to that fear of planning ahead, telling myself it had to be done to avoid catastrophic failure. Fear...the reading describes it as "urgency", that feeling of restless dissatisfaction, that I could be doing something more productive, preparing, or researching for my next move.
I seldom allowed myself to enjoy a moment, and I made others feel discomfort because my of my own. This page and concept has been very important to my recovery, and is still a large part of my daily work. Invaluable is my confidence that I will get through today with the help of my higher power and blocking out thoughts that try to steal forward or scour the past. Grateful for the progress, grateful for the program and the fellowship
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
