In honor of National Recovery Month, we are sharing words that are both familiar and precious to those involved in a 12-Step recovery program. (National Recovery Month is an annual observance in September that promotes and supports treatment and recovery practices. It acknowledges the strong recovery community, service providers and the communities that make recovery possible.) These are words that resonate with all of us: Just for Today.

Just for Today: The Choice is Mine

1. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackling all of my problems at once. I can do something at this moment that would discourage me if I had to continue it for a lifetime.

2. Just for today I will try to be happy, realizing my happiness does not depend on what others do or say or what happens around me. Happiness is a result of being at peace with myself.

3. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not force everything to adjust to my own desires. I will accept my family, my friends, my business, my circumstances as they come.

4. Just for today I will take care of my physical health; I will exercise my mind; I will read something spiritual.

5. Just for today I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anyone knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least one thing I don’t want to do, and I will perform some small act of love for my neighbor.

6. Just for today I will try to go out of my way to be kind to someone I meet. I will be considerate, talk low, and look as good as I can. I will not engage in unnecessary criticism or finding fault, nor try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.

7. 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.

8. Just for today I will stop saying, “If I had time.” I never will find time for anything. If I want time, I must take it.

9. Just for today I will have a quiet time of meditation wherein I shall think of my Higher Power, of myself, and of my neighbor. I shall relax and seek truth.

10. Just for today I shall be unafraid. Particularly, I shall be unafraid to be happy, to enjoy what is good, what is beautiful, and what is lovely in life.

11. Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I will accept myself and live to the best of my ability.

12. Just for today I choose to believe that I can live this one day.

With gratitude to Frank Crane to whom this writing is traditionally attributed, from his 1921 Boston Globe article, and which has subsequently been adopted into AA literature. 

Please let us know how we at JCFS Chicago addiction services can support your recovery or bring recovery concepts to your Jewish communal organization.