March: In The Moment

Staying present is a cornerstone of recovery from addiction, as it helps individuals focus on the here and now rather than being overwhelmed by regrets of the past or anxieties over the future. Addiction often thrives on escapism, with individuals using substances or behaviors to avoid uncomfortable emotions or situations. By cultivating mindfulness and grounding techniques, those in recovery can confront their present realities with clarity and resilience. Staying present allows them to address immediate challenges in a constructive way, fostering a sense of empowerment and progress.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, deep breathing, and journaling, are especially valuable tools for staying present. These practices encourage individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, creating a space to process emotions rather than react impulsively. This skill is particularly beneficial in recovery, where triggers and cravings can arise unexpectedly. By staying grounded in the moment, individuals are better equipped to manage these challenges, making intentional choices that align with their recovery goals.

Focusing on the present also strengthens relationships and social connections, which are vital for long-term recovery. Addiction often isolates individuals, straining relationships with loved ones. Staying present helps rebuild trust and communication by fostering genuine interactions and attentiveness to others. This focus on the moment allows individuals to appreciate and nurture their support networks, creating a solid foundation for healing and growth.

Finally, staying present reinforces the value of small victories, which are crucial in the recovery journey. Recovery is a gradual process, and progress often comes in small, incremental steps. By remaining present, individuals can celebrate these achievements, no matter how minor they may seem, building confidence and motivation to continue. This focus on daily accomplishments reduces the risk of feeling overwhelmed by the long road ahead, making recovery feel more manageable and attainable. Mr. Tell

Doc: Thanks Bill! During the many years of participating in meetings with friends of Bill’s, I heard that one leg in yesterday and the other in tomorrow means you’re peeing all over today. Keeping it in the day, hour, and moment was another reiteration heard many times over the years. Wow, they were talking about mindfulness, staying present and in the moment. I often inform clients that addiction remission only succumbs to a lapse or relapse when the mind is in past-tense thinking of future-tense thinking…

Training yourself to stay in the moment is essential and a mainstay of our ARMOR Program. Even without concerns of an addiction disorder, staying present, at this very moment, provides miraculous resources for enhancing your quality of life. We all can experience being cued or triggered to slip away, into ruminations of past events or ponderances of future possibilities. Soon as the title was read, BAM, training in the arts came to mind. The image is intended to assist my staying mindful of this present mission: writing about how you might practice, for yourself, exercises that improve your ability to remain in the moment more readily and make life more enjoyable! It helps make yourself more productive and with greater efficiency too. Careful though, there is a pothole ahead, especially as winter ends here in New England. Opps, did we just project ourselves into a ponderance of something yet to be, a fear of something else besides this moment?

Now that we have completed our healing-talk-dialogue together (magic pixel dust), let’s do our best to remain in the moment, especially with each other. Let us be mindful of what the environment is offering and what the sights, sounds and smells mean, as they travel through our senses of perception. Let us interpret these things wisely too, by remaining present, it helps filter out our subjective biases, which sometimes lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and chaos. Hone in for a warm flavorful moment! There, I just added the other two senses of perception.

Yours truly, Doc

And now for another inspiring poem from Ebner and thank you Richard for the wonderful artwork you’ve contributed above!

Bullying

Bullying back at a bully is always bad advice.
Stand up yes.
But play nice.

When you demean yourself by name calling,
The bully wins.
Just use reasoning.

Remember, bullies were bullied before they could defend.
Not an excuse.
Just the truth.

And as accomplished bullies now contend,
They’ll be bullies,
To the end!

richardtheoebner 2025