Slogans - One Day at a
Time
One day at a time doesn't mean we shouldn't plan
I imagine that this is
the very first slogan that found it's way into the original Alcoholics
Anonymous meetings. Can't you just picture a frantic newcomer talking
about how difficult he (and yes, it was only men in the beginning
and the men didn't think women could be real alcoholics, which
is another story
) he was finding sobriety?
I can almost imagine the
conversation:
Newcomer: What am I going to do? Next week I have to go to
the office Christmas party how will I ever stay sober there!
Oldtimer (early
on, he might have been sober only a week):
Slow down, it's not next week yet. Take it One Day at a Time!
And a slogan is born
because it's got some real wisdom in it.
For in truth, each one of
us has only one day at a time or one hour or one moment.
Abstaining a moment at a time
In the first few rocky
days of recovery, just abstaining for that moment, hour, etc. is truly all
we can do. If we can't do that, there's no point in worrying about
tomorrow, or next week, or whenever.
The One Day at a Time
philosophy has benefits far beyond the early days in recovery. It can keep
us grounded in the present that Holy Instant that is so easy to miss
in a busy and productive life.
Planning is okay
Unfortunately, some in 12
Step Groups have taken the philosophy to mean we shouldn't plan. This is
patently false. A major promise of the Program is to restore us to
sanity, and that includes the very human blessing and curse
planning. We need to set goals, to make appointments, to design our lives.
But planning doesn't mean
we have to leave One Day at a Time behind the trick is to watch
for expectations.
It's one thing to plan
and quite another to demand that the plan work out the way we require it
too in that we have no control at all. When our plans bring unintended
results and the often do all we need do is reevaluate, accept
where we are in this moment, and start anew.
Knowing, using and
accepting the present moment is part of being Powerfully Recovered!,
whether you're in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or any other
12 Step Group.
Love, peace and
abundance,
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