Just For Today Series: Tool #1: Live Through This Day Only

Just for Today is the first in a series of reflections inspired by quotes from an Al-Anon bookmark. While these words—and the thoughts I’ll share—may resonate with those affected by someone else’s drinking, their wisdom reaches far beyond that experience; inviting insight and growth for all of us.

Today’s message centers on living one day at a time, rather than trying to tackle every problem at once. It encourages us to take small, meaningful steps, especially toward the things we often avoid.”

Transcript

Hi, This is Theresa Conte. Today is the first in a series of talks called Just for Today. The quotes that I'm going to share with you come from a bookmark from Al-Anon, Which is a 12-step program for parents, Friends, Colleagues, And others who know someone or have a loved one who's suffering from the dis-ease of alcoholism. But the quotes and perhaps the comments that I share afterwards are not just meant for family members, Friends, Colleagues, And others who know someone who's suffering from alcoholism, But they are pieces of wisdom that I think we can all benefit and grow by. The first quote goes like this, 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 12 hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep it up for a lifetime. Now, I never quite related to the second half of that quote that I could do something for 12 hours that would appall me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime, But it makes me think about things like papers I needed to file. I used to set a time frame for myself, Like I'm going to do this project for 15 minutes. Obviously, The project was not something I necessarily enjoyed, But oftentimes I found that getting started was the hardest part. For instance, When I've done that time setting process regarding filing, I found that I would stay with the project for an hour rather than the 15 minutes I allotted to the task, And then I'd feel really good afterwards like I accomplished something. So perhaps if there's a project you need to do that you've been avoiding, You can begin by setting a manageable time frame to help you get started, And then if you're inspired to continue longer than the initial time you allotted to it, Beautiful, All well and good, And if not, That's okay. You can continue to set manageable time frames to work on it. The important part is getting started and acknowledging your success in doing so. Now the first part of the quote, Just for today, I will try to live through this day only and not tackle all my problems at once, Really for me is so important and contains so much wisdom because I think in this day and age we are so prone to multitasking, Trying to accomplish so many things at the same time, Which leads to feeling overwhelmed and keeps us from feeling and living in a balanced way. And so for me, This part of the quote about living through this day only helps me remember that I can do one thing at a time. That just for today, I'm going to attend to maybe two things that are important to me in this 24-hour period. If I wind up doing more than that because I feel I'm in the flow and I have the energy, All well and good, But sometimes in the past, My list of things to accomplish in a day could go on for pages, Leaving me feeling frustrated and like I really didn't accomplish much. I don't know about you. So perhaps contemplate or journal about how you can chunk down your days into manageable pieces and try to live through one day at a time and not tackle all your problems at once. Now, For those of you who may have demanding jobs or lifestyles, Today's quote may seem like an impossibility, But I promise when you contemplate how to put today's tool into action, Whether it be as an employee, A CEO, A parent, Or a self-employed business owner, You'll find a greater sense of peace and balance. If today's just for today's tool speaks to you and you find it helpful, I would love to hear your comments. Please let me know in the comment section and I will reply to you as well. As always, Thank you so much for listening and I wish you the most wonderful day.

Reviews

Thank you so much as always. Very soothing and strengthening for overwhelm - which is often not far away!