One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
Suppose I decided I want to concentrate on the First Step, shutting out of my mind all other thoughts for just a few minutes. How would I translate it into different words that would impress its meaning on me and guide my attitudes?
“Powerless over alcohol” also says to me: “If I am powerless over it, why do I keep trying to exert my power over another person’s drinking?”
It means also: “Let go of your clutching hold on the problem. Let go and let the Divine Power, which works in all things, work in this, too.”
If I am powerless over alcohol, my only reasonable course is to Live and Let Live — to learn to live my own life fully and to let others live theirs. Or, more simply, to mind my own business.
Today’s Reminder:
Right now, today, I will lighten my burden by dropping that part of it which does not belong to me. Today I will look more closely at my thoughts and impulses, and take only such action as is required of me.
“Keep thyself first in peace and then thou wilt be able to bring others to peace. Have, therefore, a zeal in the first place over thyself…” — Thomas A’Kempis