rosalia

I went to an "Open" AA meeting today, and listened to several speakers. Lots was said, very inspiring stuff. Interestingly, later in the day, my family and I were discussing a possible trip to Montreal in the summer, 4 months from now. Montreal is a very interesting city, lots of history, lots of wonderful food etc. After the conversations all I could think about was OMG how do I stay sober? Will I? Can I?

Around this time a lady I met at AA sent me a text, and I explained my building defeatist attitude about this trip, that may or may happen. She said a lot of supportive things. We even mentioned a poem that was read in the meeting this morning - i will post it at the end.

Essentially, my new friend told me we can only worry about today; we had to be true to ourselves, and we do that by using the concept of HOW -- an acronym for "Honest Open and Willing" - especially with ourselves.
I realized I don't know myself yet - I hid from myself for years. I am about to embark on quite a journey.


Here is the poem:

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.
Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed.
We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.
With its possible adversities, Its burdens,
Its large promise and poor performance.
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,
but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.
This just leaves only one day . . . Today.
Any person can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity's -
yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday
and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore live but one day at a time.
~ Author Unknown ~
(Possible author Jennifer Kritsch)

tomsteve

I like it.
Yesterday's history
Tomorrow's a mystery
Today's a gift
That's why it's called the present.

rosalia

I like the one you shared too! Now I have to learn to live it.

GracieLou

You only need to live it one day a time

How cool is that?

Berrybean

Thanks.
I'm a little worried about the Hen Weekend in Berlin that I'm going to be off to on Thursday (3rd April). I have bought myself a book to write down my daily meditations and prayers, plus the resentment prayer and Step 4 guidance for working through resentments (haha - negative and defeatest attitude already there maybe, but I'm not accustomed to spending so long in the company of so many other women-friends so know I'm likely to get tetchy about stupid stuff a few days in).

Anyway - I'm adding this one into the book. Thanks.

Tommyh

the poem is very similier to the Sandskrit Proverb in front of the 24 Hour A Day Book
also late July`s thoughts for the day in the 24 hour a day book
Sanskrit Proverb


Look to this day,
The very life of life,
In its brief course lies all
The realities and varieties of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived,
Makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope.
Look well, therefore,
To this day.