Hi,
This is Teresa Conte.
Welcome to tool number seven in the Just for Today series.
If this is the first time you're listening to one of the tools in this series,
Just a note to say that each tool is inspired by an Al-Anon bookmark by the same name called Just for Today.
The bookmark was written for people in the 12-step Al-Anon program who have a loved one.
Friend,
Or other relation suffering from the effects of alcoholism.
But the tools also apply to our lives in a broader way.
So I invite you to take a listen and see if it's helpful to you.
Just a caveat that there is a longer version of today's tool,
Which I'll share at the end of today's talk.
But since the bookmark has nine tools,
I wanted to stay true to it and would like to include a brief overview of it here.
Today's tool reads,
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.
In short,
The program consists of choosing three or four broad components such as self-care,
Health,
Connection,
And creativity,
And a list of how to experience them.
I'll share a little example from my own life with you here.
For instance,
My program includes four components.
Self-care,
Nature,
Meditation,
And listening to my intuition.
So for me,
My list under my self-care component includes things like eating well,
Taking a nap when I'm tired,
Listening to music,
Etc.
My list under nature includes going for a walk by the sea or in the woods or on Sundays just looking outside my kitchen window at the trees.
Meditation includes contemplation and breathing practices,
And listening to my intuition includes a journaling practice I like to use,
Along with other methods for tuning in.
When we have established a program,
The beautiful thing is we can use it as a refuge in times of uncertainty and stress.
So that's the basic overview of the tool.
If you'd like to create a program of your own,
Simply brainstorm a list of components that would be helpful to you,
Which may likely be different from the ones I've shared.
Then choose three or four of those components to keep it simple,
And then create a list under each one for ways to experience them.
Now,
As I mentioned at the beginning of today's talk,
If you'd like more detailed information about the benefits of having a program and how to create one of your own,
Take a listen to my longer talk called Living with Loss,
Creating a Program for Support and Healing.
Which goes into much greater depth about the benefits of the tool.
And provide step-by-step instructions for how to create a program of your own.
And don't be concerned about the title.
You don't need to be experiencing loss in order to listen and find it helpful,
As it's really about having a go-to way or refuge,
If you will,
When feeling rushed,
Overwhelmed,
Or stressed.
Thanks so much for listening.
I hope you found today's talk and the longer version,
Should you decide to take a listen,
Helpful.
Be sure to tune in next time for tool number eight about taking quiet time to get a better perspective on our lives.
Wishing you a most wonderful day!
Bye for now.
