What is Al-Anon?
Al-Anon Family Groups is a support group for relatives of alcoholics to share their experiences and find hope in a safe environment. Alcoholism is a family disease and Al-Anon helps families recover.
Members of Al-Anon usually have a spouse or partner who has struggled with alcoholism. For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, or grandchild. Sometimes, a brother, a sister, or some other friend or relative brings us to Al-Anon. Many have had more than one alcoholic family member or friend.
Alcoholism has similar effects on us all, even though the relationships with the alcoholic may be different. Many come into Al-Anon even if the alcoholic is still drinking. To find an Al-Anon meeting in your area, you can visit the Al-Anon Family Groups website meeting locator here.
Al-Anon Literature
Al-Anon literature is a tool for members to grow spiritually and to work the 12 steps. Since we know that alcoholism is a family disease, even though Al-Anon members may not be alcoholics, they are still sick and affected by alcoholism. So, working the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is just as important for Al-Anon members as it is for Alcoholics Anonymous members.
Al-Anon has many wonderful books and pamphlets available for purchase. Two of Al-Anon’s most known bookmarks are used for meditations during the day and evening Just for Today and Just for Tonight. They are both conference-approved literature and can be ordered online in bookmark form. We have provided the words for you on this webpage if you want to use them for meditation with your Higher Power or in any other format.
Just for Tonight
Just for Tonight is a companion piece to the Just for Today bookmark (see below). It is said to offer thoughtful reflections on Al-Anon principles to help readers prepare for a peaceful, restful night.
Just for Tonight, I will be grateful. I will give thanks for the past day. Its failures as well as its successes, its sadness as well as its joy and its pain as well as its pleasure. I will take comfort in knowing that every event and circumstance that occurred today can be used for my good and the good of others.
Just for Tonight, I will accept that I have done the best I could, remembering that my goal is spiritual progress and not perfection. I will let go of any expectation I had for this day, as well as any disappointment, shame or guilt I felt for not being perfect today.
Just for Tonight, I will be humble. I will give my shortcomings to a Power greater than myself, trusting that doing so can bring about changes in me that I could not bring about by myself.
Just for Tonight, I will not attempt to rectify today’s mistakes or solve tomorrow’s problems. I will remind myself that I am better able to receive guidance when my mind and body are rested and refreshed.
Just for Tonight, I will set aside my fear, frustrations and aspirations and take a few minutes to review the abundance that exists in my life today. I will place my future in the care of a loving God of my own understanding, trusting my needs will be met at a time and in a way that is best for all concerned.
Just for Today
JUST FOR TODAY I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems 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. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that “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. I will lean something useful. 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 be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won’t find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAYI 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 TODAYI will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective on 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.