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One Day at A Time

© Geraldine Wagner

Twelve step programs are 24 hour programs, or one day at time. In fact, that is one of our primary slogans. At first it might seem like a foreign idea but many recovering women (and men!) are surprised to discover that one day at a time is how life should have been lived all along.

But sometimes, even looking at one day can be too much. There are times when we have to break the day down into morning, afternoon, and evening. Or even further, into the next hour and then the next. When that happens, you know you're in a stressful situation! But it does work and gets us through those bad days.

Being the age I am, I like to live one day at a time because it makes the rest of my life (however long it will be) stretch out before me luxuriously. If I think of my life in terms of years or decades, it doesn't seem like I have much time. Then I can get panicky, worried, fearful. Who wants that?

If I live one day at a time, I have a whole 24 hours to make the best of...and God willing, another 24 when I wake up tomorrow! My life seems much longer, fulfilling. I don't feel rushed to cram things in before it's "too late."

Of course, when we're happy, we don't want the day to end. When we're miserable, we can't wait for it to end and sometimes try to make the day a little shorter by doing some "sheet therapy." (going to bed extra early!)

But there's always something about the day that makes it worth living...and the other slogans come into play here...this too shall pass...easy does it...but for the grace of God there go I...

I try to not fret too much, but enjoy the day...after all...as the old Cat Stevens song goes, I might die tonight. So how do I want to spend my possibly last day?