“We in Al-Anon can, if we work at it, free ourselves from yesterday and tomorrow.” (ODAT, 22 March)
Once I’m past Step One and motoring with the programme, I review the past only on three occasions: Steps Four and Eight (infrequent, purposeful, structured, surgical, contained); Step Ten (once daily / ad hoc: briefly and briskly). The rest of the time, I erect a sign that says, “No trespassing!”
With God, once a day, I review the coming twenty-four hours and glance at the coming week, month, year, or longer timescale for tasks to perform today, write the tasks down, then close and lock the door to the future.
Whenever my physical brain shoots up a temptation to my mind to think about the past or future, I reject it and turn back to the present.
This establishes the conditions to live well today.