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.
In today's reading, the author reflects on a Chinese proverb: "When we talk of tomorrow, the gods laugh." For the author, this means that we cannot know what is coming in the future, so we can only live one day at a time. We can make plans, but we have no control over the results of our actions. We cannot predict what will happen when, we only have the moment we are in. We can compress the slogan "One Day at a Time" to "One Moment at a time" No matter what is going on, we can concentrate on what is going on right here and right now, and we can know that we are fine.
Today's Reminder: My worst fears about tomorrow need not affect this day. By letting them go, I am free to grow. What bad habit can I change today? What fear can I face? What joy can I celebrate? All I have is today. Let me make today the most fully alive day I have ever experiences.
Today's Quote: "Do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself." The Bible
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I've had to learn to live in each moment, and to trust that the future will take care of itself. I've spent a lot of time planning for the future, and had to learn to let go of my perceptions of being able to control what will come. I can plan, I can prepare, but what tomorrow will bring is something that I Cannot know ahead of time or plan for. With practice, I've become more confident in my ability to cope with whatever comes my way, and I've gotten better at telling program friends (and other friends) when things are hard.
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
I really struggle with worrying about the future. Although logically I know I can't control the future that doesn't stop me from trying.
It's something I am working on and trying to change though. It's exhausting spending so much time and effort trying to outsmart what can't be outsmarted.
Thanks Skorpi for your service and all above ESH. I spent years of my life obsessing about the past and future. What a waste of time and energy! Early in program I heard someone say, keep your head over your feet. If I can do that, then I am in this moment. With practice, I get better and better at ODAT.
