Just for today my thoughts will be on my recovery, living and enjoying life without the use of drugs.
Core Text, Chapter 9: Just for Today-Living the Program
People often talk about pessimism and optimism in terms of seeing the glass as "half empty" or "half full". As drug addicts, many of us think about it more in terms like, “But what's in the glass? Is it any good at all? When can I get more?” or “You have more than me? Give me some of yours." No matter how many glasses we have or how full they are, we addicts tend to always worry about where the next one is coming from and/or what the people around us have in theirs. We often forget that before recovery we either didn't have a glass at all or couldn't hold one, full or not.
We hear “Just for today” recited so often that we may forget how revolutionary the change in thinking it suggests is for us. Instead of focusing on what will come next or what is happening around us, we are called to focus on ourselves, on the here and now. The principles of optimism and hope often seem forward-looking, directing our attention to what is to come. However, as anyone who has ever undertaken a gratitude list can tell you, focusing on what is going well in the present moment can dramatically change our perspective on life.
When we focus on our recovery, on living and enjoying life without the use of drugs, our fears and anxieties tend to subside. We are less concerned with issues such as when our glass will be refilled. If we look into the glasses of those around us, it is to see if we can share with them what we have. Focusing on our glass—on our recovery—gives us optimism by reminding us that we will be okay, no matter what.
Being in recovery means I no longer have to wonder if the glass is half empty or half full. Not only do I have what I need, but I also have enough to share. I no longer need to compare myself to others.
