ODAT

[Lin]

That slogan..ONE DAY AT A TIME....is very powerful in my life.

It keeps me from living in the past. I don't bring up things that happened years ago. Spilled milk...can't change that they happened. I can only change how I choose to look at them.

And the future? Why obsess over what MIGHT happen. Why worry about the outcome of my daily life? It will happen. I will deal with it as it happens.

Staying in today. ...Doing what i need to do right now.... Not worrying about the furure. ...ODAT. If i deal with things as they happen, I never spend time worrying about all of the scenarios they might take. The movies I used to play in my mind seldom happend that way anyway.

If i worry about a loved one who MIGHT relapse, I will stay sick. If instead i am grateful that today he is sober, then I dont have to think about tomorrow or next month or next year.

Lots of my life was driven by FEAR. I was so afraid of how another person would react that I constantly was on edge. I projected what the other person would do and then spend my life trying to make sure that did not happen. it was not in my power. But i could not see that at all.

I think of all the years I wasted before i learned ONE DAY AT A TIME.

ODAT helps me not get overwhelmed. When i get my room ready I like to do it a little at a time. I work a few hours a day for a couple of weeks and it gets done. I usually do it in early June. This year it was not possible at all. They were moving in mobile units. The rains were horrendous. Units could not be moved. More rains. Concrete pad could not be poured. I had 7 days to get my furniture where I wanted and all of my boxes unpacked and arranged. I did it in 3 days. If i had obsessed all summer I woudl have had a terrible summer.

Monday I had a lump removed. it has 4 stitches and has been sent for a biopsy. Am I worrying about the biopsy? not at all. I only even think about it when the stitches sting or itch. And I am not worrying about the outcome. I am optimistic it is fine. I will handle the results when I get them

How do you use ODAT in your life?

LIN

[~graced~]

((((((((((((Lin)))))))))))))))

G-d takes really good care of His kiddos. I'm thankful for how well He's taken care of you. Know you're in my prayers.

And you KNOW me, Lin.
Life is precious. Today truly IS a gift. When you're threatened with having the day ripped from you and all your tomorrow's truly ARE up for grabs--when there's no 12 step program that will buy you anything if you just do "X"--you 'get' what that 'one day at a time' means in a whole different perspective. You really CAN get hit by a bus...I've stopped taking that figuratively and embraced that as truth cuz in this life, it IS truth.

I thought I knew what living in the moment meant at 1, 6, 10 and 18 years sober...LOL Ya know, that's been redefined for me over and over again. The longer I live the program, the more conscious I am about how precious the day that I'm in truly IS.

I don't get another day like today. This one won't ever be here again. And I'm certain that it could all be done with today. This could be my 'last chance'....my last day to let people know how loved and important they've been to me. I'll spent it wisely cuz it's what I have. And it's ALL that I have.

And no, I've not always had that clarity--I had to go through a whole lotta experiences to get me to this 'place' of understanding just what having one day means.

Yesterday I tore apart two shelving units in the bedroom, talking to the 100+ bears that I have stuffed in there with the memorabilia...LOL I'm sure the Brit thought I was nutso...LOL But I thoroughly enjoyed the moment I as in, invited him to be a part of it and cleaned shared a whole lot of where each of those little darlings came from, how important the person was in my life and the ways that they'd played a part in helping me 'be' where my feet are today. I didn't waste the moment lamenting that I was slaving away and doing a chore...LOL Life's too precious, ya know? And we got to do a whole lot of sharing, the two of us. Making some simple task a loving and learning experience--I coulda done it in silence and muttered the whole time...LOL Nah...I'll choose my attitude and use the moment to pass on what's important and good and true about life and loving.

I wasted a whole lotta time, took for granted a whole lot of things.
I don't wanna do that anymore.
I want to stay in the moment and live and love as I've always wanted to--as G-d designed me to.

((((((((((Lin)))))))))))
Postive, healing thoughts to you, dearheart...
You're in my prayers!

[Lin]

Your post brought tears to my eyes. You are correct.
Each day IS precious.

Every day IS a gift. (that's why it is called the present)

I remember seeing a picture of your bedroom with those shelves and bears. Thanks for bringing that to my mind. (no turtle shelves yet? LOL)

Thanks for the happy thoughts my way and the prayers. I really appreciate.
{{{hugs}}}
LIN

[dg]

Loved your share Graced. I remember your turtle icon so well....
Thanks for making my day with your post. Life is precious, and I am so grateful for each day. No matter how bad things gets for me, wether its big or small triffle things that is silly to think of it as bad, I am always glad to be able to share my love with those around me.
Lin, I am saying prayers to you to dear, things will be ok. I know it will.
Hugs to you both.
have a great day.

[majestyjo]

It is one day at a time. It is all I have, today. When I live in the moment, I can get through this day, clean and sober. I may have As in my life, but I can detach form them and set boundaires. I need to focus on me and not pick up my own drug of choice, what ever it may be. i.e. Gambling, food, workaholism or busy, computer, shopping, etc.

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