Endigar 422 ~ One Day at a Time
From Today’s Daily Reflections;
Above all, take it one day at a time. (As Bill Sees It, page 11)
Why do I kid myself that I must stay away from a drink for only one day, when I know perfectly well I must never drink again as long as I live? I am not kidding myself because one day at a time is probably the only way I can reach the long-range objective of staying sober.
If I determine that I shall never drink again as long as I live, I set myself up. How can I be sure I won’t drink when I have no idea what the future may hold?
On a day-at-a-time basis, I am confident I can stay away from a drink for one day. So I set out with confidence. At the end of the day, I have the reward of achievement. Achievement feels good and that makes me want more!
END OF QUOTE
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I look at the necessary perpetual discipline of an entire life lived without ever drinking again and the fear is overwhelming, until the plan of action is broken down into the small daily circle in which I live. I have plenty of practice living out an entire day of my life, but zero experience living out my entire life. I think people commit suicide when they attempt to live out their entire life on the theater screen of their minds and see potential tragedy as script already written. Taking life one day at a time is a skill for processing all fear that presents itself as an inevitable tragedy. It is one of the first tools in my spiritual toolkit.
So when my life is brought down to the raw basics of survival, I practice not giving into the fear. I do not worry. I take it easy. The lowest, most base version of myself tries to drive me into a mad rush lifestyle to secure shelter and necessities. My Higher Power is quite aware of what I need. Each day of small actions will begin to vindicate my decision to trust Gomu (God of my understanding). If I focus on learning and living the principles of the program one day at a time, my survival from alcohol will be secured without any action on my part. So says the Fellowship of AA.
“We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality – safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85)
I may make plans, but the focus of my action is on today. Today has enough tasks and concerns to keep me busy and involved. As my faith in Gomu develops, I simply refuse to worry about tomorrow. One day at a time.
Daily Reprieve 
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