Newcomer Tip #2 Taking it One Day at a Time
This is a blog series that will be focusing on one tip every few days for newcomers. These tips are not a replacement for going to meetings and working the 12 steps. They are to be used in addition to meetings and steps. The first few months of sobriety are hard. These are some ways to help get you through it.
In the last article we discussed how we should make recovery a priority. Today’s tip is Taking It One Day at a Time (ODAAT). There are some common misconceptions with the whole “one day at a time” saying. Somewhere along the line it went from living life one day at a time, to not drinking one day at a time. I’m not sure where or when the change took place but let’s be honest, has anyone ever been fooled by the “just don’t drink today” bit? I wasn’t. I knew there would be a tomorrow and I’d have to try and trick myself into just not drinking that day too and the next day and the next day. Taking it one day at a time is a much better way to look at it.
It Will Get Fixed
So what does Taking IT One Day at a Time mean anyway? What is the IT they are talking about? To put it plain and simple the IT is life. More specifically, today. We spend so much time worrying about the future or regretting the past, that we ruin today.
Listen, we’ve all been there before. When you first come into recovery you’re surrounded by the burnt ashes of your life. There’s so much regret and we think we have to fix everything right now. STOP! It will get fixed. Recovery first. Remember yesterday’s tip? You can’t do or fix anything if you aren’t sober.
“In order to rise from the ashes, a phoenix must first burn.”
-Octavia Butler
Where Are Your Feet
Every time I would get my mind spinning about the future and all the things that would be impossible for me to do and all the obstacles in my way my sponsor would say, “STOP! Where are your feet?” What?!?! My sponsor would point out that my feet were on the ground–right here, right now–and that’s were my mind needed to be.
After that every time my mind would start spinning about this or that, I’d look down at my feet. It reminded me that I needed to be living in today. If you focus on recovery and start doing the right things, doors will start to open for you… eventually. First, find a sponsor at your meetings. Next, work the 12 steps. Allow yourself time to get well.
Worry is Wasted Time
Alcoholism and drug addiction warps the mind, body and spirit. You need to heal and one day at a time you will get better and better. Keep your mind on today. Enjoy today. Focus on what you need to do today, tomorrow will take care of itself. Worry is wasted time. Before you know it you will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of your life but it all takes time and it won’t happen in one day. Octavia Butler once said, “In order to rise from the ashes, a phoenix must first burn.” That’s us. Phoenixes.
If you’ve been attending 12 step meetings, by now you’ve heard the serenity prayer but did you know that’s only a portion of the prayer you are saying at the end of your meetings? Read the whole prayer Serenity Prayer and pay special attention to lines five and six. 😉
How do you take it one day at a time? Sharing is caring. Your comments below could benefit another person’s recovery.
In the next blog we will be discussing Tip Three: Communication. Until then…
Peace, Love & Sobriety,
-L
L. chooses to remain anonymous, not because she’s ashamed of being in recovery, but because her ego loves recognition and she doesn’t want to feed her ego.
