The Just for Today Card

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

Just for today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

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

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

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn & 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 be agreeable. I will look as good as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything & not try to improve or regulate anybody except 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 & indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself & relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective on my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. I will enjoy that which is beautiful & will believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

The Just for today card is one of 'The Six Things' I was suggested to do every day, AS SOON AS I got to AA. I rate the 6 things very highly! But like most things in life, the more you put in the more you get out.
(The 6 things' are listed on the right hand side)

This is what it says about the just for today card in the '6 things' list...
5. TRY to do ONE of the things on the just for today card.
Think of it as a portable programme. Carry it with you throughout the day. If you become negative, try applying ANY one of the instructions on the card to your situation.

So basically it works on two levels. Firstly as a basic daily 'thing' to do. Can be anything! You can pick the 'easiest' thing to do off the list if you want to.

Secondly, it acts as a 'contingency plan' or 'plan B' when you feel bad during the day. Again its 'use' is that it provides a series of very simple ACTIONS that can be done. And 'action' is the key word, as it is the ACTION that 'saves' us. Not our thinking.
'Practicing these principles in all your affairs' can be as simple as doing stuff off this card when you get stuck. Its a very respectable list. Don't be fooled into thinking its 'junior aa' because it's on a little card.
If you manage to do the stuff on here throughout the course of the day, in MY opinion you are doing VERY well!