October 30
Thinking Past Friday
One day at a time has helped many of us live without being swallowed by the future. Then a responsibility requires planning several months ahead, and we feel almost disloyal to that relief. Why worry now? The difficulty is that a room still needs reserving, money still needs accounting for, and other people need time to make arrangements.
Responsible service includes the foresight described in Concept Nine. We can look ahead without trying to live every possible difficulty in advance. Planning asks what present experience suggests and what reasonable provision we can make. Anxiety may demand certainty about things no plan could settle. Learning the difference takes practice. A modest estimate, open to revision, respects both our limits and the people who will depend on our work. We remain in today while doing the piece of tomorrow's preparation that actually belongs to us now.
What future responsibility needs present attention without needing all my present peace?
Making the reservation leaves plenty we cannot know.
For the A.A. nerds: Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept IX, “Leadership in A.A.: Ever a Vital Need.”