dalin
02-12-2009, 01:37 AM
February 12
Living In The Moment
"We regretted the past, dreaded the future, and weren't too thrilled
about the present." Basic Text, p. 7
Until we experience the healing that happens when we work the Twelve
Steps, it is doubtful that we can find a statement more true than the
quote above. Most of us come to NA hanging our heads in shame,
thinking about the past and wishing we could go back and change it.
Our fantasies and expectations about the future may be so extreme
that, on our first date with someone, we find ourselves wondering
which lawyer we'll use for the divorce. Almost every experience
causes us to remember something from the past or begin projecting
into the future.
At first, it's difficult to stay in the moment. It seems as though
our minds won't stop. We have a hard time just enjoying ourselves.
Each time we realize that our thoughts are not focused on what's
happening right now, we can pray and ask a loving God to help us get
out of ourselves. If we regret the past, we make amends by living
differently today; if we dread the future, we work on living
responsibly today.
When we work the steps and pray each time we discover we're not
living in the present, we'll notice that those times aren't occurring
as often as they used to. Our faith will help us live just for today.
We'll have hours, even days, when our full attention is focused on
the current moment in time, not the regrettable past or fearful
future.
Just for today: When I live fully in each moment, I open myself to
joys that might otherwise escape me. If I am having trouble, I will
ask a loving God for help.
pg. 44
Living In The Moment
"We regretted the past, dreaded the future, and weren't too thrilled
about the present." Basic Text, p. 7
Until we experience the healing that happens when we work the Twelve
Steps, it is doubtful that we can find a statement more true than the
quote above. Most of us come to NA hanging our heads in shame,
thinking about the past and wishing we could go back and change it.
Our fantasies and expectations about the future may be so extreme
that, on our first date with someone, we find ourselves wondering
which lawyer we'll use for the divorce. Almost every experience
causes us to remember something from the past or begin projecting
into the future.
At first, it's difficult to stay in the moment. It seems as though
our minds won't stop. We have a hard time just enjoying ourselves.
Each time we realize that our thoughts are not focused on what's
happening right now, we can pray and ask a loving God to help us get
out of ourselves. If we regret the past, we make amends by living
differently today; if we dread the future, we work on living
responsibly today.
When we work the steps and pray each time we discover we're not
living in the present, we'll notice that those times aren't occurring
as often as they used to. Our faith will help us live just for today.
We'll have hours, even days, when our full attention is focused on
the current moment in time, not the regrettable past or fearful
future.
Just for today: When I live fully in each moment, I open myself to
joys that might otherwise escape me. If I am having trouble, I will
ask a loving God for help.
pg. 44