escape artist

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. this assumes to be true what Abe Lincoln said, that "most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do--just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests; hurry and indecision.

just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.


Prayer for Today

Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoninig that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Al-Anon's Just For Today marker

Daffodil

E. Artist, You just quoted my most favorite book mark of all time.

If I don't have time to read anything else during the day I read Just for today. It fits very nice in my purse and in the glove box of my car as well. It has gone everywhere with my for good many years now and the good Lord willing will continue to go with me for an equal amount of time to come.

escape artist

this was one of the first things handed to me at al-anon and i hung onto it for dear life-reading it til i practically had it memorized. and it helped me regain my sanity. i literally had to follow its instructions- esp. the part about looking my best and not criticizing one bit. it was the beginning of my changing and recovering from the raving raging codependent lunatic i was. when I start to feel overwhelmed i will reread it again, and start over taking one step at a time.

reader

Hi Catherine, that was a wonderful post. I think I will print it out as a reminder to take one day at a time. I often feel overwhelmed with my job as a parent, it will give me strength. Thank You, Kerry