Monday January 17, 2011

All We Have Is Now

We
can only live now, this moment. We cannot erase the mistakes we made
yesterday or bring back the good times we had. We cannot know what
tomorrow will require of us, nor can we ensure future security and
happiness. Now is what we have, and now is everything.

We can
follow our plan now. We can abstain this moment. We can deal with
the problems, which confront us today as best we can, trusting God to
guide us. We can be in touch with our Higher Power only in the present.

As
we focus on the present moment, we live it deeper, and we derive a
satisfaction that we did not know when we were regretting the past and
worrying about the future. Whatever happens now is all I can manage and
all I need.

Thank you; Lord, for this present moment.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations

Acting As If

The
behavior we call "acting as if" can be a powerful recovery tool. Acting
as if is a way to practice the positive. It's a positive form of
pretending. It's a tool we use to get ourselves unstuck. It's a tool we
make a conscious decision to use.

Acting as if can be helpful
when a feeling begins to control us. We make a conscious decision to act
as if we feel fine and are going to be fine.

When a problem
plagues us, acting as if can help us get unstuck. We act as if the
problem will be or already is solved, so we can go on with our life.

Often, acting as if we are detached will set the stage for detachment to come in and take over.

There
are many areas where acting as if - combined with our other recovery
principles - will set the stage for the reality we desire. We can act as
if we love ourselves, until we actually do begin to care for ourselves.
We can act as if we have a right to say no, until we believe we do.

We
don't pretend we have enough money to cover a check. We don't pretend
we met our deadline when we did not. We use acting as if as part of our
recovery, to set the stage for our new behaviors. We force ourselves
through positive recovery behaviors, disregarding our doubts and fears,
until our feelings have time to catch up with reality.

Acting as
if is a positive way to overcome fears, doubts, and low self-esteem. We
do not have to lie; we do not have to be dishonest with ourselves. We
open up to the positive possibilities of the future, instead of limiting
the future by today's feelings and circumstances.

Acting as if helps us get past shaky ground and into solid territory.


God,
show me the areas where acting as if could help set the stage for the
reality I desire. Guide me as I use this powerful recovery tool to help
create a better life and healthier relationships.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie