In the 12 - step programs they have a saying "One day at a time." Now I am not sure if Bill W. was the first person to coin that phrase or if it was Moses telling the Israelites that for 40 years...... It would truly be interesting to me to know what the person who first said that really meant ??? What were the circumstances? What point were they trying to make? Who was the audience? Was it rainy or sunny?

Well..... for me..."One day at a time" has taken many meanings through the years, but its only been over the past few years that it has meant so much more to me and the way I define it now is quite different than any meaning before.

One day at a time....

When AA (Bill W.) decided to use this phrase it was meant to be a way of telling alcoholics to just slow down and only think about staying sober "today" and not worry about if they would be able to stay sober tomorrow until tomorrow comes. Even the bible tells us in Matthew 6:34

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

This meaning and the reference to scripture is wonderful and has helped me many times over the years because I tend to be a worry wart and "staying in the moment" is always a challenge.

However.............

One day at a time......

As I have progressed though my recovery having a daily "routine" has been instrumental in my success. Not only do I try and concentrate on just today and not worry about tomorrow, I also try and make the most of each day by following a structure that keeps me focused on the task at hand... not using crack cocaine!

If I were to "only" take "one day at a time" at face value and consider that this statement was solely a means of not worrying about the future... I would not be able to stay clean for more than "one day." No, I have learned that "one day at a time" MUST be taken as an opportunity to use the 24 hours I have in each day wisely.

Having a structured routine during each day and repeating that each new day gives me a reason to "look forward" to each new day, rather than "fear" tomorrow as I did in AA.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says:

"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil..."

For me to examine everything carefully it is important that I make use of every hour of every day and trust God to reveal truth and hope. I can not abstain from evil (crack) if I am "just existing to make it one more day." Each day MUST be used to overcome the temptation to use crack, draw closer to God, and have meaningful actions. There is NO WAY I can stay clean if I am just taking each day as only another DAY..... and when tomorrow comes, I can NOT forget about it as AA tells me to do... because I must use the day before as a continuation of my journey to liberation for the bondage of crack cocaine.

"Eagerly" and "desire".... are two words that have been so very important in my recovery since starting my recovery. When I started I had a genuine desire to stop using crack... it wasn't out of desperation as it had been in the past and the fact that I finally had a desire to quit made all the difference.

Eagerly I face each new day! I do not "take one day at a time" and sit on my rump telling myself that if I can just make it through the day I will be ok or "don't worry about tomorrow, because as long as you don't use today you will be ok"....for me...THAT IS just asking for trouble!!

Overcoming the temptation to use crack does not allow me the luxury of "Just don't use today". No...each day must be filled with "action" and preparation for the next day because crack will never just go away.

Every day I have an "Eager Desire" to fight this crack addiction so that I do not give in to its lure. I don't worry about tomorrow, but I sure prepare for it... and tomorrow I will do exactly what I did today, and yesterday... and will as long as need be.

One day at a time......

Are wars fought "One day at a time?" Does the enemy sleep, and wait until tomorrow to attack you?