What it Means to Live in the Now … Just for Today – Step 5

Modern art facial profile with an hourglass embedded in the middle and sfz title

“If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace.” ~Ajahn Chah

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Provide an example of how successful you were at letting go, lately?

OR

How can letting go of the past help us enjoy today more?

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Let It Go – Keisha Cole (4:22)

Eckhart Tolle on Drama vs. The Now (1:23)

Letting Go Guided Meditation (14:44)

English Analysis

The passage urges focus on the present moment. In The Basic Text, living “just for today” releases heavy emotional burdens. Eckhart Tolle, in The Power of Now, teaches that present awareness frees us from anxiety. He emphasizes that the past cannot be changed and the future is not yet real.

Furthermore, the excerpt from The Big Book highlights the importance of willingness. Letting go often requires humility and trust in a Higher Power. Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, showed that acceptance of what we cannot control brings inner peace. He argued that freedom lies in choosing our response to life’s challenges.

Sylvia Robinson’s quote reminds us that strength sometimes comes from release, not resistance. This aligns with Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, which values flexibility over force. True resilience comes from adapting to life’s flow instead of clinging to rigid expectations.

Together, these ideas point toward a path of personal liberation. Living in the now, trusting guidance, and letting go of harmful attachments create room for growth. They call for courage to surrender and openness to change.

When we release our grip on the uncontrollable, we open ourselves to peace. This is a universal lesson, found in recovery literature, philosophy, and spiritual traditions alike.


Spanish Translation

1. Citas
VIVIENDO SÓLO POR HOY –
“Vivir sólo por hoy alivia la carga del pasado y el miedo al futuro. Aprendimos a tomar las acciones necesarias y dejar los resultados en manos de nuestro Poder Superior.” (El Texto Básico, p. 90-91)

¿TODAVÍA AFERRÁNDOTE? –
“Si todavía nos aferramos a algo que no soltamos, pedimos a Dios que nos ayude a estar dispuestos.” (El Gran Libro, p. 76)

“Algunos piensan que aferrarse es lo que hace fuerte a uno; a veces es dejar ir.” – Sylvia Robinson (1936–), cantante y ejecutiva discográfica estadounidense

2. Análisis
El pasaje nos insta a enfocarnos en el momento presente. En El Texto Básico, vivir “sólo por hoy” libera cargas emocionales pesadas. Eckhart Tolle, en El Poder del Ahora, enseña que la conciencia presente nos libera de la ansiedad. Él enfatiza que el pasado no se puede cambiar y el futuro aún no es real.

Además, el extracto de El Gran Libro destaca la importancia de la disposición. Dejar ir a menudo requiere humildad y confianza en un Poder Superior. Viktor Frankl, en El Hombre en Busca de Sentido, mostró que aceptar lo que no podemos controlar trae paz interior. Argumentó que la libertad radica en elegir nuestra respuesta a los desafíos de la vida.

La cita de Sylvia Robinson nos recuerda que a veces la fuerza viene de soltar, no de resistir. Esto coincide con el Tao Te Ching de Lao Tzu, que valora la flexibilidad sobre la fuerza. La verdadera resiliencia surge al adaptarse al flujo de la vida en lugar de aferrarse a expectativas rígidas.

En conjunto, estas ideas señalan un camino hacia la liberación personal. Vivir en el ahora, confiar en la guía y dejar ir los apegos dañinos crean espacio para el crecimiento.

3. Pregunta
¿Cómo puede ayudarnos soltar el pasado a disfrutar más del hoy?

Zonr blog to let go

Comments

7 responses to “What it Means to Live in the Now … Just for Today – Step 5”

  1. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    Moment to moment I let go of disturbing past events, like getting hit by a car for example, and make those learning experiences to not get caught up in the past, but learn ways to be even safer, and not trusting of others all the time. I’ve seen declines in mental stabilities that have caused some to go into psychosis they never come out of, so that’s a sign for me to limit my social time also. Life is something where we learn different tactics for safety I think, and that’s important to me, because I mean the world to me.

  2. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    I think there is a release and a freedom that comes with letting go, and I think that it counter intuitively also applies to our dreams and ambitions, too. If we are too attached to the end result we miss out on the experience of the journey. By letting go and doing things anyways I think they’re much more fulfilling.

  3. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Staying in the now gives me the present of today. When I am living in the past or anxious about the future I am not staying grounded in the now. The now keeps me working toward goals.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  4. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    I love the way the basic text and the big book break down step 5. By writing everything down I’m able to examine certain Behavior patterns and not repeat them. Bringing them out in the open makes it possible for me to deal with them constructively but I can’t make these changes alone I need God’s help and I am so grateful for him to be working in my life today

  5. brita Avatar
    brita

    Good to have a reminder to be “willing” – that’s the best I can do. Recently diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, a pain disease – I am freaked out and striving to live in the now, and know my Higher Power will take care of my needs. Thank you SFZ. ONE DAY AT A TIME

    1. Slim Jim Avatar
      Slim Jim

      Gee, I”m sorry to hear that. I sounds like you into action though. And keep us posted, I find sharing helps to let go of the fears we create in our heads.

      1. brita Avatar
        brita

        Thank you so much, I appreciate it. Looking to read a Lance Armstrong biography – or people who overcame huge obstacles.

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