9 Phrases That Have Helped Me In My Life

Could 9 phrases really help me live a better life?

At one of the first rehabs Kelsey went to, I scooped up every piece of literature that was lying on the tables. I was looking for any words of inspiration and encouragement that would help me. Desperate to find answers, I wanted to figure out how to fix my addicted daughter and get life back to normal.  Of course, it’s not that simple.

But I did my research, read everything I could get my hands on and listened when the drug counselors talked. All of these things really help when you’re feeling so desperate.

And then I found this card with these 9 little phrases printed on it.  I didn’t know it at the time, but these 9 phrases would, in fact, help me live a better life. These inspirational words of healing would help me for years.  Both, in my daily struggle dealing with my daughter’s addiction and in my daily struggle dealing with my daughter’s death.

9 Phrases To Live A Better Life

These sayings have been around for a while.  They’ve been circulating their way through 12-step programs for years.  Kelsey was already familiar with them when I asked her why these wonderful words were being directed toward addicts.  We talked about how every person would benefit from reading these beautiful, simple words describing how to live a good life.

Shouldn’t we all be trying to do that? 

I loved these words so much that when I celebrated my birthday, I printed these sayings on a card and included it in a gift I gave to friends. But even now, as I deal with the grief of losing my daughter to the disease of addiction, these words continue to help.

Just For Today

• “Just for today I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problems at once.  I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep it up for a lifetime.” 

• “Just for today I will be happy.  This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

• “Just for today I will adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.  I will take my luck as it comes and fit myself to it.”

• “Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind.  I will study, will learn something useful and I will not be a mental loafer.  I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.”

• “Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways.  I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count.  I will do at least two things I don’t want to do—just for exercise.  I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt but today I will not show it.”

• “Just for today I will agreeable.  I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.”

• “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.”

• “Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax.  During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.”

• “Just for today I will be unafraid.  Especially, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.”

Finding Comfort In Words

When my cousin passed away, I read these sayings at his funeral.  “Just for today, Kar, just for today” is what my cousin would say to me every week after our 12-step meeting for parents dealing with addiction. 

We both found comfort in these words to help ourselves get through another day. These truly were inspirational words of healing for both of us.

Whether we love someone who is suffering from the disease of addiction, are living in addiction or are grieving the loss of someone to a substance use overdose, we need help in dealing with this disease that has affected our lives.  And these 9 simple phrases have helped me try and live a better life while living with addiction and grief in my life.

I hope you find some comfort in these words and maybe they can help you, too.

Thanks for reading!

Karen