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BIG VICTORIES TAKE ROOT IN TINY SUCCESSES
This is taken from the Dear
Abby column in the Dallas Morning News, Tuesday,
December 31, 1991.
Dear Readers:
My New Year’s column has
become an annual tradition since 1973. These New Year’s
resolutions are based on the original credo of
Alcoholics Anonymous. I have taken the liberty of using
that theme with some variations of my own:
• Just for today I will
live through this day only, and not set far-reaching
goals to try to overcome all my problems at once. I know
I can do something for 24 hours that would appall me if
I felt I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
• Just for today I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln said,
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their
minds to be.” He was right. I will not dwell on thoughts
that depress me. I will chase them out of my mind and
replace them with happy thoughts.
• Just for today I will
adjust myself to what is. I will face reality. I will
correct those things that I can correct and accept those
things I cannot correct.
• Just for today I will
improve my mind. I will not be a mental loafer. I will
force myself to read something that requires effort,
thought and concentration.
• Just for today I will do
something positive to improve my health. If I’m a
smoker, I’ll make an honest effort to quit. If I’m
overweight, I’ll eat nothing I know to be fattening. And
I will force myself to exercise--even if it’s only
walking around the block or using the stairs instead of
the elevator.
• Just for today I’ll do
something I’ve been putting off for a long time. I’ll
finally write that letter, make that phone call, clean
that closet or straighten out those dresser drawers.
• Just for today, before I
speak I will ask myself, “Is it true? Is it kind?” and
if the answer to either of those questions is negative,
I won’t say it.
• Just for today I will
make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will look as
good as I can, dress becomingly, talk softly, act
courteously and not interrupt when someone else is
talking. Just for today I’ll not improve anybody except
myself.
• Just for today I will
have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will
have it, thereby saving myself from two pests: hurry and
indecision.
• Just for today I will
gather the courage to do what is right and take the
responsibility for my own actions.
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