TODAY

Ftzelden@

First published July, 1985.

Copyright @ 1985, Hazelden Foundation.All rights reserved. No portion of this

publication may be reproduced in any mannerwithout the written permission of the

publisher.

ISBN: 0-89486-292-8

Printed in the United States of America.

ft.zelden@

Editor's Note:Hazelden Educational Materials offers a vari-

ety of information on chemical dependency andrelated areas. Our publications do not necessar-ily represent HazeIden or its programs, nor dothey officially speak for any TwelveStep organi-zation.

JUST FOR TODAY

JUST FOR TODAYI will live only these pre-cious 24 hours, I will focus on now. I needn'tcontemplate the entire tapestry of my life, I needonly consider how I shall weave the pattern oftoday with the thread of minutes and hours thatis mine.

I will cherish the day as if it were my last.Today is yesterday's much-anticipated "someday" - tomorrow's longed-for "back when." Iwill hug this treasure of today to my chest, andregard the wonder of it with the same joy Ibehold a newborn. This day is new, and so am I.

Today I will not relive the past. I may lookback, but I will not stare. I cannot live yester-year's glories, nor can I erase yesterday's mis-takes. In retrospect, I see how each event, joyfulor sad, has led me to becoming who I am today.I will view my life as a journey, and gain perspec-tive. I will not regret the past, but learn from it.

Today I will not agonize or worry about thefuture. Worrying is a waste of time. How manypeople, long since gone, worried that the CivilWar would come? It came anyway. How manypeople have abandoned their businesses andhomes to stand on a hill awaiting the end of theworld? It hasn't happened yet. Tomorrowcomes, for good or bad, despite the time I

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JUST FOR TODAY I will be happy. It is mychoice to be happy. I know that my attitudedetermines my state of mind. With a positiveattitude and an open mind, I insure that I willretain my serenity no matter the circumstancesof the day.

I am responsible for my happiness. I am not apuppet, controlled. by the whims and moods ofothers. I have no control over others. I do con-trol how I choose to react. I am not a button tobe pushed by irritating co-workers, willful chil-dren, or honking strangers. I am like a deep,peaceful pool, unaffected by the winds whichblow across my surface. My peace and my hap-piness come from within, and cannot be takenfrom me.

Others may act in a hurtful or irritating man-ner. I do not have to take it personally. I realizethat another person's behavior toward me maysay far more about them than it does me. If I amdoing the right thing, I need not accept pain,anger, frustration, or blame. Nor will I blameothers. I will remember that few people are evil;they may act as they do because they are insecureand ignorant - and neither circumstance war-rants my becoming upset. I will give others thebenefit of the doubt.

If pain is constant in my life, it indicates aneed for me to change. Just as I would seek helpin treating physical pain, I must resolve un-healthy attitudes and situations. I may treat itwith prayer, talk with a trusted friend, or seekprofessional help, but I will accept the truth thatpain is optional.

Today I will foster happiness in myself andothers with a ready smile, gentle manner, sunnyoutlook, and confidence that happiness is God'splan for all people.

JUST FOR TODAY I will accept whatever is;I will not manipulate people and circumstancesto suit my desires. I will let go and let God.

I will accept the premise that things happenfor a reason. A circumstance may arise that I didnot plan on or even desire. I will accept it as an

squander in anticipation. I will plan for tomor-row, live for today.

If my waking hours are spent recalling thepast or anticipating the future, I am throwingaway life's most precious gift: today. As such, Iam throwing away life itself. For these 24 hours,I will give the day its due; I will start over tomor-row.

Today is my opportunity to start afresh. I amnot responsible for yesterday or tomorrow. I amonly responsible for today, and how I choose tolive it. I will be here now.

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opportunity. Instead of fighting the situation, Iwill look for the lesson to be learned. Instead ofcrying, Why me? I will ask, What can I learnfrom this?

As I leave behind myoId behavior of trying tocontrol everything and everyone, I will delight inthe discovery that letting go and letting Godbrings prompter and more positive results than Iever dreamed. I will even learn to welcome theunexpected situation, as I search eagerly for thelessons which will help me grow to becomewiser, more capable, and understanding.

Acceptance often entails forgiveness. I cannotdeal with reality if I am continuing to nurturehurt, regret, or anger. I cannot move forwarddragging this old baggage. The question is not,Do my enemies - those who have hurt me -deserve my love, but, Do I deserve my love? Iwill act in my own best interest by forgiving andaccepting others. The past cannot hold me if Ido not hold it.

Perhaps those who pass through my life arenot friends or enemies, loved ones or strangers,as much as they are my teachers, each bringing alesson, an example. Is there a trait I can emu-late, one I should avoid? What does my reactionto this person - or that group - say about me?As I accept other people as they are, so I willgently accept myself, knowing that I am trying

to become the person I was meant to be.As I learn to let go and let God, I know inner

peace. Peace and harmony pervade all my rela-tionships. I am prosperous and my life is suc-cessful.

JUST FOR TODAY I will stretch my mind. Iwill consider a new idea, tackle a fresh topic,rethink a long-held opinion. I will learn some-thing.

I recall the excitement of the first day ofschool, the anticipation as a child awakening toa long summer day. Do I have that sense ofcuriosity, that joy in learning, that delight inliving? Have I allowed myself to grow bored andnarrow in my thinking and my interests? If I amnot constantly mentally growing and stretching,then I am not truly alive. Learning keeps meexcited, anticipatory, stimulated, interested -and young in attitude. Old people who seemyoung are still learning.

As an adult, I do not have to learn in order topass a test or earn a grade. Now I can learn formy own satisfaction, not to please a parent orimpress a teacher. Nor need I undertake a broad,intellectual endeavor. Learning may be as simpleas picking up an unknown magazine at thenewsstand, going to a foreign film, eating at anethnic restaurant, visiting a museum or art

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gallery, or attending a concert.Now is the time for me to renew abandoned

interests and to develop new ones. I may recoveran old enthusiasm as I dig out the paints fromthe back of the closet, take my dusty collectionfrom the attic. Inexpensive classes enable me tofinally learn to swim, decorate cakes, snap bet-ter pictures, or speak a new language in time formy next vacation. I can join a bowling team,take up skiing, master the rules of football, takeout a library card, or drift through the sky in ahot air balloon.

Today I will stop saying, "Someday I'll . . ."and dare to make my dreams and fantasies cometrue. Boredom and dull routine have no place inmy life as I stretch and grow toward my potentialof being an interesting person to others and tomyself.

JUST FOR TODAY I will exercise my soul,growing emotionally and spiritually. I will learnthe truth of the saying "It is more blessed to givethan to receive" by extending myself to helpanother person without expecting thanks oreven credit.

As I step outside myself to help another, Ileave my own problems behind for a time andgain perspective on them. How often, in advis-ing another, do I remind myself of wisdom I

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have forgotten to practice? Listening with careand concern to the problems of others expandsmy knowledge of the world and my understand-ing of human nature. Time sincerely invested inanother person is seldom wasted.

I will grow emotionally as I learn to identifymy feelings and to voice them before resentmentand anger have the chance to build. I cannotexpect even those who know and love me best toread my mind; I must take responsibility for myown emotional health by understanding myselfso that I may help others to know me. Honestywith myself is essential if I am to be honest withM~n. .

I can grow, too, by becoming more flexible,more spontaneous. Instead of meeting an ideaor suggestion with why? I will ask myself, Whynot? I will embrace life, not reject it. I will be asgenerous with myself as I am with others. I willbe a yea-sayer, not a nay-sayer. I will not stewabout small things. Asking myself, Will itmatter in 50 years? is a way I can keep my life inperspective and inject a little humor into dailyliving, too. Today I will keep my emotions fromleading me astray by asking myself, Is this theright thing to do? I am unerringly guided by thatsmall voice within, which as a child, I knew asmy conscience. Now I recognize it as a HigherPower which directs me toward good. When my

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emotions rage, I will sit quietly and listen for theguidance that is sure to come. There are noshortcuts to happiness. By doing the right thingin every circumstance I know the peace andemotional stability I long for. By doing the rightthing I pay my dues to life; I pay my rent forspace on this lovely earth.

must the kindness, understanding, good willand encouragement that builds another's spiritand confidence. Those who love me deserve mybest, not my least.

I will try to look my best. I needn't look like amovie star in order to make the most of nature'sgifts. The picture I choose to present to theworld illustrates what I think of myself, andmay be my only opportunity to indicate that Iam a person worth knowing.

Instead of searching for the right person, Ifocus on becoming the right person. Today I ratean A as I make an effort to be agreeable, ap-proachable, and attractive.

JUST FOR TODAYI will be agreeable; I willreflect the expression and attitude I seek in oth-ers. I will not find fault or complain.

If I must correct children, students, or co-workers, I will do it kindly and in private, firstpointing out what they are doing right before Icall their attention to what should be corrected.If I am simply finding fault with another, I willlook to myself first, remembering that when Ipoint one finger of blame, three more pointright back at me.

I will remember to smile. It will make me feelas good as the person who receives it. Anyone Imay approach today will be more receptive tomy requests and ideas if I present a pleasant,nonthreatening face to the world. My smile andfriendly greeting may be the pick-me-up some-one needed today. A smile won't break my face,and it may help heal another's broken spirit.

I will be as courteous to my family as I am tostrangers. If charity begins at home, then so

JUST FOR TODAYI will be organized. I willset goals and make a plan for myself, so thatwhen the day is done I can be satisfied with whatI have accomplished.

By becoming more organized, I eliminatemuch of the clutter and chaos from my life. Iwill keep it simple at home and work by discard-ing items I do not use and by eliminating unpro-ductive tasks. I will set in order the tools of workand leisure. I remember that disorganization isoften a form of rebellion - like a teenager'smessy room - but I am the one who suffersfrom the confusion in my life. If becoming orga-nized seems an impossible task, I will borrow or

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JUST FOR TODAY I will enjoy a period ofsolitude to replenish my soul and insure serenityas a 24-hour state of mind.

As I work to become all that I can be, toaccomplish all that I am capable of, I will re-member that quiet contemplation is necessary torecharge my spiritual, emotional, and mentalbatteries. Time spent alone provides me with aperspective on my life that I cannot see when Iam busy with daily demands.

I will not rush from activity to activity. I willallow the experience, the import, the enjoymentof each moment to soak in. How often have Ilonged for the days when time seemed to movemore slowly? I know that I cannot slow downthe world, but I can slow down my experience ofit. I will leave myself ample time between activi-ties so that I do not rush. During busy times, Iwill remember to breathe deeply, knowing thatas I do so I inhale the energy of the universe andI am refreshed.

As I go through my day, I will stop to examinewhether I am being efficient or frenetic. If I feelcompelled to be constantly busy or in the com-pany of others, perhaps I am avoiding quiettime alone because I do not wish to face myself.It is in solitude that I can best learn who I am. Instillness I can hear God voicing the direction inwhich I should go.

I needn't feel guilty or defensive over how Iseek my solitude. I will take at least a half-houreach day for myself to be quiet and alone,

buy one of the many books on the subject.I will set for myself goals both simple and

demanding, ranging from trying to smile moreto taking a step toward achieving a long-cherished dream. I will write out my goals sothat I may maintain my focus and feel the warmflush of success as I check off each accomplish-ment. I will not waste energy by talking of mygoals. I will act. I know that all great achieve-ments begin with small steps. Today I will beginmy journey.

I will find it easier to accomplish my goalsand avoid procrastination if I listen to that insis-tent voice within which directs my dreams anddesires. Childhood's conscience is adulthood'sHigher Power speaking. The voice is not myenemy, trying to pull me away from pleasure. Itis my friend, nudging me toward my goals. Iknow my hopes and dreams are direction-pointers from God. I do not dream of theimpossible.

Organization, and honesty, will help me beresponsible. Honesty and responsibility equalintegrity. I gain by becoming organized and set-ting goals.

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whether it is closing my eyes as I ride the bus,enjoying summer clouds, bowing my head inchurch, or sitting in formal meditation on thefloor of my room.

A regular period of solitude and applicationof the serenity prayer, go hand-in-hand to insurea peaceful state of mind.

because I was afraid. Knowing my Higher Poweris presenting me with a chance to grow, to realizemy dreams, I need never fear opportunity again.

I am not afraid of life's challenges when I amprepared for them. I can prepare in several ways:by taking a small step each day toward realizinga dream, putting myself in another's place andspeculating on what I would do, trying to do theright thing in every situation in my own life, andmeditating or praying regularly to keep in tunewith my Higher Power.

The next time I feel afraid - whether of mak-ing a speech or being involved with others in apotentially awkward situation - I will look tomy Higher Power. I will say, "Thank you for theright words at the right time. Thank you forgiving me the words and the actions to helpothers." With such gratitude in my heart, I amassured I will do and say the right thing at theright time.

If I always try to do the right thing, I have noreason to be afraid. I put my hand in God's,JUST FOR TODAY,and all is well.

JUST FOR TODAY I will be unafraid. I willremember the words of Madame Curie: "Noth-ing in life is to be feared, it is only to be under-stood."

I know that "for all things there is a season"and for all things there is a reason. Whether Ilike the circumstances in which I find myself, Ihave confidence that there is a purpose, even if itis not immediately evident to me. I don't have tobe afraid in any circumstance; I have only tolook for the lesson I must learn.

How many times have I lost an opportunitybecause I was afraid. of something new, of test-ing myself, of failing? I know that opportunityis God's invitation for me to grow and excel.When opportunity knocks, I must get up andanswer; action is the key to my success. As Ilook back at opportunities I have let slipthrough my fingers - or even those at which Imade a halfhearted attempt - I see that I lostout not because I am stupid or unworthy, but

Editor's Note:This pamphlet is an elaboration of the princi-

ples brought forth in the popular message,"Just For Today," read by many people inTwelve Step programs.

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It-zelden.Hazelden Pocket Power Series

A series of inspirational pamphlets small enough to carry with youwherever you go. Short enough to read in one sitting, each pocket-size,16 page pamphlet uses traditional A.A. philosophy to deal with the dif-ferent stages and emotions encountered during recovery.Accepting Criticism Living the PrinciplesOrder No. 5366 Order No. 5352Forgiveness LonelinessOrder No. 5364 Order No. 5363

Freedom from Fear Loving RelationshipsOrder No. 1282 Order No. 5353Gratitude Miracles in RecoveryOrder No. 1331 Order No. 5402Great Expectations PatienceOrder No. 5365 Order No. 5361Honesty Reaching Out to OthersOrder No. 1336 Order No. 5400

Hope SerenityOrder No. 1337 Order No. 5362Humility SurrenderOrder No. 1338 Order No. 5449Inadequacy When Doors CloseOrder No. 5360 Order No. 5354Just for Today Pocket Power CollectionOrder No. 1339 Order No. 5905Letting GoOrder No. 5351

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