One day at a time...

SoberSteve · MIP Old Timer

One day at a time...

Tessa · Senior Member

I was given my 2 year anniversary chip this evening by a man who has helped me so much in my recovery. When I became depressed & completely started shuting down he reached out a hand & he helped get me back on track. My actual name is Teresa & early on he'd given me the nic-name "Mother Teresa" because he said tonight he saw something different in me & thought I'd be one of the few to make it & reach out to help others. Others have tried to immitate him by calling me that & I tell them quickly that only he can call me that!! When I was so depressed everyone else just turned their backs & left me alone. Took one person to reach out & make a difference in my life & for that I am so grateful!! He almost had me crying in the meeting tonight with what he'd said when he presented the chip! I was asked how I'd gotten my two years. Mostly relying on my HP & the old timers with quality time, sponsorship & working the steps. But, I'd done it one day at a time. Thinking I can never drink again is too much for an alcoholic like me to comprehend. As long as I don't drink today I've accomplished another day of sobriety. Good topic!!!!

SoberSteve · MIP Old Timer

CONGRATULATIONS!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^^^

Dave Harm · Senior Member

Congratulations Tessa...

Years ago I stood in a court room and the judge looked down from his throne at me, pointing his finger and yelled... "You will never drink again." And I quickly agreed with him, in fact I promised I would never drink again.

I was 32 years old and I kept that promise for maybe a month...during that whole month I started thinking if I live to be 72... that would be 40 years without a drink... I could not comprehend the thought of not drinking for forty years...

Needless to say, I ended up back in court with a very angry judge. I asked him to please let me try it my way and lets see what happens... long story short he did let me try it my way...

And that way was (and continues to be) one day at a time. For me there is no pressure with one day at a time. It still gives me the freedom of choice. Today I have chosen not to drink. Tomorrow I will be given that choice again...

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

It has changed meaning over time as my brain and thoughts started to settle. At first, it meant just get through the day without drinking. It still does mean that, but now it also means live life happy and as fully as I can today, try to connect with God today, try to do the next right thing just for today. Basically, more elements of the program work their way into my life a day at a time too.

Mark

SteveP · MIP Old Timer

Awesome, empowering posts. Thanks guys. I'm going to a business lunch today and though I know that I won't drink today, there is still part of me worried about having the courage to say "no thanks", as I suspect the guys on the other side of the table like their wine. But, all I have to do is say "no thanks" today.

Good sobriety to all...

Steve

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Hey Steve, My experience is much like Mark's. Gratefully, I haven't had an urge to drink for a long time, so odat works in other ways, most importantly my relationships. Happily married 13 years in a 17 year relationship one day a time. My problem with relationships in the past was projecting about having that person forever. This is a selfish notion and an impossible one. All relationships will end when someone walks away or dies. That other person can wake up one morning and say it's been real and fun but they'd like to be somewhere else now and we should be grateful for the time they spent with us and wish them well. Having been divorced once (and heartbroke a few other times) I think about that daily. I decide to make the most of having that person in my life and am grateful for that day, and remind myself that I might not have that person tomorrow and that that would ok too. I keeps it special, and I remain grateful for it.

Steve if you're at a restaurant that has wine glasses on the table, turns yours upside down or hand it to the waiter when he takes your order. Be the first one to order an iced tea when he first shows up at the table. Be proactive about it, and others will leave you alone.

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 06:27:29 AM

LastOneLeft · Veteran Member

.I use it for everything that happens through out my day.I use it as a reminder to try and live in today and not tomorrow,I use it to get me through the bullshit.So far its the only thing that keeps me sober.Im on 11 Days sober now, and all of them were "One Day At a Time".

SteveP · MIP Old Timer

Dean, thanks awesome practical advice! Thanks! :)

ODAT.

Steve

ElectricTwist · Veteran Member

One day at a time, for me, is much like LastOneLeft's...it's getting through each day, as it comes, and not thinking about a week from now.

Everyone who has posted is so encouraging. That helps me get through one day at a time too :)

Waking up in the morning and feeling good and feeling healthy and feeling alive and awake reminds me that today is another day of life, rather than another day of struggle.

Dean - definite good advice that I surely can use in my future days ahead. In fact, I never thought of that! I always have thought, in the past, even after having my first few drinks - you know?....a nice iced cold lemonade probably would have tasted MUCH better (and would have been cheaper!!!!!!), so why not be proactive about it, like you said, and order before anyone else can :)

SteveP · MIP Old Timer

Did what was suggested, just jumped right in and ordered sparkling mineral water. They said if I'm not going to have wine, then they wouldn't either!

Had a good lunch and have returned to be able to do some real work.

Thanks Dean and all on here!

Good sober day to you all...

Steve

bikerbill · MIP Old Timer

SteveP wrote:

Did what was suggested, just jumped right in and ordered sparkling mineral water. They said if I'm not going to have wine, then they wouldn't either!

Had a good lunch and have returned to be able to do some real work.

Thanks Dean and all on here!

Good sober day to you all...

Steve

I find so many times that the other party says something like oh sure, I'll have an iced tea or whatever, often with a sense relief. Often times they don't even ask for an explanation, many people just accept it. If asked for an explanation I tell them that I'm in training for a marathon. If they press further, then I tell them it's for health reasons. Neither are lies.

So yeah, take control, get the first round in and make your's a softie. Turn your wine glass over. When it comes to the next time for a round of drinks, you can agree to same again.

And One day at a time means that I only have to do everything I can to stay sober today, because I can do anything for one day, and when tomorrow becomes today, then I can do it all again just for one day. (even though I seem to be at a point where the thought of a drunk doesn't appeal and the thought of a drink is a waste of my time.)

SteveP · MIP Old Timer

Love it Bill, " that I only have to do everything I can to stay sober today, because I can do anything for one day..." So, so true. We CAN do anything, just for one day. And like you say, today, becomes tomorrow...

Steve

Aquaman · MIP Old Timer

Great thread and fantastic posts from everyone! It's good to come home and read all this ESH, especially on a day that I had to miss my meeting!

One Day at a Time means many things to me...but I'll keep 'em short.

Changing my LIFE is intimidating. Changing my DAY is within the reach of me & a little help from God - God willing.

One Day at a Time sets a limit on my liability; I am only responsible today for breathing and not drinking.

One Day at a Time also tells me how much time I can reasonably expect from the rest of my life...so I better make it an honorable one.

When I'm super-super-super tempted and Ms. Jonez is cozying up to me sweet as Tupelo Honey and whispering "baby, it'll be different this time...I promise.", I can say to her "maybe someday...but not today."

Peace,
Rob