You've been tested before and you'll be tested again. When you're feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself of a time when you had no clue what to do, but still figured it out. You're programmed to feel powerless but built to figure it out. You got this. You always have. Keep going.
Staying in the Moment
Over the last year in my life, I have been watching my ability to stay in the moment improve.
It used to be that I was either despairing over the past, or constantly striving to accomplish things, which kept me focused on the distant future, instead of paying attention to what was right in front of me.
What I have learned? The past... is the past. There is nothing I can do to change what has happened. I cannot magically go back in time and "fix things."
I can however choose to behave differently today.
And the future?
I have faith in what is to come and I believe it is good to have goals... to have things to look forward to.... but not if I'm using them to distract myself from the present.
The only moment I have is now and it is important to learn to find satisfaction and contentment within it.
I have accomplished many things in my life by setting my sights on the future but often, once I would achieve my success, I would immediately put it to the side and focus on the next goal on the horizon instead of ever stopping to relish in it.
Today I know that wasting my precious time on despairing over what I did in the past, or quickly moving on to "the next big thing," leaves me living in a world that doesn't really exist.
In front of me... right now... is this day.
I need to focus on making the most of it and living it fully... aware of my surroundings and how precious this time truly is.
"Dear God, help me to let go of my future and my past and stay firmly focused on the present. Today is the only day I may have... help me to live it to the fullest."
A Clearer Picture
I thought I was so perfect, so I didn’t know why I was so sad and miserable. I grew up in a family with two parents who had a good marriage. My mother spent a lot of energy trying to teach me how to make the perfect pie crust and how to clean tile with a toothbrush. My relatives and family friends never drank except for an occasional beer or wine on holidays. To me, an alcoholic was a drunk on a bar stool or on the street. Then I met my husband, and for the first month, I never saw him sober. He was angry and violent. I was afraid and tried to be the best wife and mother I could be so he wouldn’t get so angry. I didn’t know what was wrong with me—or him. As I approached my 25th wedding anniversary, I couldn’t decide whether to throw a party or get a divorce. We tried counseling for a while, but my husband stopped going when the questions got harder. Several people recommended Al‑Anon to me, but they didn’t tell me how to stop the misery I felt. However, I decided to try it. I have been coming for several months, and I am happier. I’ve started to look at myself and my life without blinders on. I like myself more than I ever have and have started mending my relationships with my kids. Although I don’t like to look at my shortcomings, doing so has helped me make peace with myself. I never felt good enough as a child or in my marriage, but through Al‑Anon, I am learning that I am me—with all my faults and talents. By Betty B., New Hampshire September, 2018
Reprinted with permission of The Forum Al-Anon Family Groups Incorporated, Virginia Beach, VA
Re-posted from
Today's Hope is a Recovery themed site with a focus on friends and families of alcoholics and problem drinkers. We are not affiliated with any 12 Step program. The daily sharings contain a reading from Al-Anon's Conference Approved publication The Forum, an inspirational quote/saying and a recovery based reading/meditation. The intent of Today's Hope is to share experience, strength and hope. Please take what you like and leave the rest.
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