A big family, a reading addiction, and the occasional celebrity scandal are the ingredients of life that create one woman's opinion on just about everything.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Just For Today

My Dad is an alcoholic. For some people this may fall under the TMI clause. But I'm not here to talk about Dad or the trials and tribulations of loving someone who is an alcoholic. I just wanted to share something that's one of my treasures. I got it years ago at an Al-Anon meeting. Its wisdom helps me with lots of things in life besides my Dad. I have this printed on a bookmark that I have used so much it is dog eared and beat up. What with the stressing about car accidents and my worry getting into the red zone I've been reading it a lot the last few days. Since it helps center me I thought I'd share it.


JUST FOR TODAY
Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Labels: ,

11 Comments:

Blogger Mailyn said...

That's trully a beautiful post. ^__^

Oh and, at least on my part, there is never a post that has TMI. That's what our blogs are for. To post what's on our minds, good AND bad. Trust me, your online friends will stick by you. So feel free to rant away on anything that comes to mind no matter how sad or depressing. It always helps to have a sympathetic ear and you just never know who feels the same way. You may even help others as you help yourself.

OK, that rant was way too mushy. I must now go do something evil.

*insert maniacal laugh here*

*snort*

*hugs* <-- even though it ruins my villanous reputation. :-P

11:03 PM PDT  
Blogger Casee said...

Your posts are so inspirational. Really. "Just For Today" is a great motto, all the way around.

8:21 AM PDT  
Blogger Holly said...

What a beautiful post, Rosie. It's so true, too.

And just to echo...there's no such thing as TMI. Not with people who care about you, anyway, and I think I'm safe in saying that we all care about you. :)

BIG HUGS!

PS. Mailyn, I still think you're evil, sappy stuff aside. *snicker*

9:19 AM PDT  
Blogger Jodi_Lee said...

Absolutely, never TMI...I daresay we quite live for TMI. What a great post Rosie!

9:20 AM PDT  
Blogger Sam said...

Very thoughtful post.
My father in law was an alcoholic - he destroyed his family and his health. He was a delightful, funny, sweet, talented man with a terrible disease.
My sister works with alcoholics, and says alcohol is as dangerous as heroin. I just hope my children learn to stay away from the stuff!

9:32 AM PDT  
Blogger Jenster said...

Very wise words. Can you imagine how great this world would be if everybody had that bookmark and actually heeded it??

12:54 PM PDT  
Blogger Jenster said...

Oh yeah. And what's TMI?? I would guess half of my posts would fall under that category. lol

12:54 PM PDT  
Blogger Mailyn said...

Holly, I knew I could count on you. Brings a tear to my eyes. :-P

1:21 PM PDT  
Blogger Rosie said...

You guys are the best. I have to say, and probably already in my post that this really helps me to calm down when things in life get a little crazy. I was reading it yesterday and thought I'd share it. I really gotta get a new bookmark, mine is really worn!

Smooches and hugs all around.

5:49 PM PDT  
Blogger ErinPaperbackstash said...

That's a great thing to keep close by. I'm sorry about your father.

8:11 PM PDT  
Blogger CindyS said...

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

I live by this one. No one holds my happiness except me just some days I forget where I put it ;)

I like the ideas of thought and concentration and trying not to worry about what is to come.

These are hard tenants to live by for anyone.

((((((Rosie))))) Go give Beanie an extra hug and if he groans tell him the ladies made you do it.

CindyS

1:16 AM PDT  

Post a Comment

<< Home