Those of us living in one day at a time recovery know we need to be paying attention to life. The reason we do this is because much of our recovery is based on the decisions we make, the things that we do or don’t do, and the words that we say. Many of us call this doing a personal inventory. When we do this we will be people who care for others, and who wish to do others no harm. If we have done wrong to someone we try to amend it. Those six little words, “I was wrong” and “I am sorry”, can be difficult words to say. If we have to amend the wrong we have done, by further amends, this too can be difficult. We learn this in time. We know we are not trying to be perfect. Furthermore we know we will never be perfect but some of us do learn to stop the wrong before it happens. We have learned to pay attention. Paying attention has its advantages. It can keep us in the present. Those who can stay in the present can learn to forgive, heal, and let go of the past. Those of us who can stay in the present can look forward to the future. Those of us who are paying attention know when people are hurting, and we know if we can truly help these people. Another good thing about paying attention is we know when we are hurting. We know when to take a break and we know when we need help. Paying attention is the gift of the present moment. Listen to the silence. We can hear everything.
