![]() ![]() We may have plans coming up that we’re worried about, we may see or do something that triggers negative memories from the past, or something else. It can be challenging to remind ourselves why we need to live one day at a time. They’re reminding each other that for the next 24 hours, it’s time to focus on healing and hope. It’s important to note that with “just for today” commitments, members aren’t reminding each other to get their lives together. Follow the recovery program as best as possibleĪA members make a commitment for the next 24 hours, hence the name “just for today.” Many people walking the path toward recovery use this card to remind them of daily healthy habits and to live in the now. ![]() Live through 24 hours, not your entire life.On the card, there are multiple commitments you can stick to, including: Embody “Just for Today”Īt most AA meetings, a “just for today” card is read to members. Here are some tools that have helped individuals, me included, remain in the present. Sometimes, of course, that’s not easy to do. However, focusing on this moment right now and working towards your current goals truly allows you to move forward in a healthy manner. I’ve worried about my past behaviors coming back, and I’ve worried about whether I will succeed and stay healthy in relation to preventing a relapse. I know how difficult it can be to focus on now, not on what happened before or what might happen later. Rather than searching for a cure and worrying about future sobriety, AA members support and motivate each other to continue taking things one day at a time. The rationale is that if you can focus on staying sober for one day, it becomes easier to continue that routine for the next day, and then the next. That’s because AA’s tenets state that alcohol misuse isn’t something that’s curable but rather something to manage, one day at a time. What Does “One Day at a Time Mean” in AA?ĪA emphasizes remaining sober for the next 24 hours instead of worrying about the rest of your life. I’d like to focus on the idea of “one day at a time” and how I use this phrase in my daily reflections. The most beneficial practice for me was integrating daily reflections into my routine. While taking part in AA, we shared our stories and worked together towards a common goal. I’m also fortunate to have met so many wonderful people at AA. I was dependent on alcohol, and while it was daunting to take the first step and seek help, I’m enormously happy I made that decision. I’ve worked with many clients who are currently on the path toward recovery, and I am also walking the same path. The idea isn’t to cure someone from substance use disorder but rather to practice good habits. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) use this phrase as a reminder that the healing process isn’t a cure it’s a practice that must be undertaken daily. ![]() Each day I start fresh and give my Inner Child only positive messages.I’m sure you have all heard the phrase “one day at a time.” It’s a common expression but one that particularly illustrates the importance of healing from substance use disorder (SUD). On this day I am grateful for what ACA has taught me about the value of my choices and how to reparent myself. It's like starting fresh, almost like being reborn. We learn to reparent ourselves, which means we become our own loving parent who provides our Inner Child with what we didn't receive from our families. As we learn the value of surrender, acceptance, love and forgiveness, we begin to build a strong foundation for a better way of life. What we learn in this program is that showing up and doing the work is critical. We knew full well what it felt like to be on this emotional roller coaster of life: one minute up, the next minute down. We were either in the middle of chaos or in deep isolation. When we first came to ACA, many of us were angry, defensive and at the end of our rope. In the morning - after a brutal night - everybody pretended like nothing had happened. ![]() We walked on egg shells, waited for the other shoe to drop, or held our breath and waited for the war to start. Growing up in a dysfunctional family was chaotic. "The first step in reparenting ourselves involves recognizing the loving voice inside." BRB p. ![]()
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