One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
“What if . . .” How often we hear these words from those who live with an alcoholic problem. Only two little words, but they’re heavy with dread, fear and anxiety.
“What if he doesn’t come home?” — “What if she doesn’t take care of the children while I’m at work?” — “What if he spends all his pay on liquor?”— What if… anything our desperate imaginings can project.
Granted these things can happen, but when they don’t, we have put ourselves through needless suffering and made ourselves even less prepared to deal with them if they should come.
Today’s Reminder:
In Al-Anon, the answer to “What if…” is “Don’t project! Don’t imagine the worst; deal with your problems as they arise. Live one day at a time.”
I cannot do anything about things that haven’t happened; I will not let past experiences make me dread the unknown future.
“It is a vain and unprofitable thing to conceive either grief or joy for future things which perhaps will never come about.”