Just for today.

When you raise your glass, what will you say? Talking to a friend this morning I realized that we are approaching a New Year with what could be 365 blank pages to fill in our life’s journal. What I realized is that I can only write one page a day. I can only tell my story one-day at a time. If I sit down tomorrow and attempt to journal my life for the next few months I will be overwhelmed, and life becomes unmanageable. The reality is I am given one page at a time. If I focus on this one page I am much more at peace, content, and happy. It doesn’t mean that I don’t think or dream about page 70 or page 169, it means that I can only write on the page in front of me. Like a good novel, I am sometimes impatient, hurried and I am tempted to skip ahead to find out what will happen, yet when I do I miss the suspense,substance, character development and plot that gives life to the story. The same is true for me. Perhaps I will raise my glass and cheer "Happy New Day" for this is the gift that God has given me. How 'bout you? What will you say?

(The following has helped numerous folks live a more serene and sober life. Take what you like and leave the rest.) May God's peace rule in your heart.

JUST FOR TODAY
Just for today I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for 12 hours that would appal 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 each day 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. (self-pity and martydom)

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything, and not 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 and 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.