A Powerful Lesson for Addiction Recovery

Timeless Wisdom

Time marches on.

In olden times, a king grew exhausted by the endless barrage of decisions and crises he faced day in and day out. He summoned his wise men and demanded:

“Give me one answer that addresses every question and solves every problem I will ever face.”

The wise men deliberated for weeks, then months, then years. Finally, they returned to the court.

Eager and impatient, the king demanded his answer. The leader of the wise men took a deep breath and said:

“Our answer for all questions and all issues is simply this: This too shall pass.”

The old adage that time heals all holds a profound truth.

Time marches on whether we want it to or not. It moves—until, one day, it doesn’t. When it stops, our world’s time comes to an end and we move on to whatever next chapter awaits us.

Recovery, AA, and Living in the Present Moment

This came to mind at a recent AA meeting when someone shared a striking thought:

“Every ‘after’ is the ‘before’ for the next ‘during.’”

Whenever something happens, we are anchored in the present. But every present turns into an after, and every after becomes the before for whatever comes next.

In other words:

We experience life in the present.
The present inevitably becomes the past.
What is now an “after” becomes preparation for something still to come.
No difficult moment—and no joyful moment—remains unchanged forever.

Time keeps marching, and this moment, too, will pass away.

Why “This Too Shall Pass” Matters in Addiction Recovery

That catchy turn of phrase holds a remarkably deep truth about reality.

In recovery, remembering that this too shall pass can change how we experience the moment in front of us. Cravings, fear, uncertainty, disappointment, joy, gratitude, and hope all exist within the movement of time.

What feels permanent today may look entirely different tomorrow.

Every during eventually becomes an after.

And every after becomes the before for whatever comes next.

Books to Support Your Twelve Step Journey

If you’re looking to explore Step work, spiritual awakening, and personal transformation more deeply, check out The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts. These books offer insights, reflections, and real-life recovery experience that complement the journey through the Twelve Steps.

The books in The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts can be purchased through my estore or the major online book retailers. Look for GEMS, More GEMS, Still More GEMS, and More GEMS Revealed.

FAQs

What does “this too shall pass” mean in addiction recovery?

It means that emotions, cravings, difficult circumstances, and periods of uncertainty are temporary. Remembering this can help a person avoid treating a difficult present moment as though it will last forever.

Why is living in the present important in recovery?

Focusing on the present can make recovery more manageable. Rather than trying to solve every potential future problem at once, a person can concentrate on the choices and actions available today.

What does “every after is the before for the next during” mean?

The phrase describes the continuous movement of time. Every experience eventually becomes something that happened in the past, while simultaneously forming part of the circumstances leading into the next experience.

How does “one day at a time” relate to this idea?

Both ideas reduce the temptation to become overwhelmed by the future. “One day at a time” encourages attention to the present, while “this too shall pass” reminds us that the present itself is temporary.

Can recovery books help someone maintain sobriety?

Recovery books can provide perspective, encouragement, personal stories, and ideas that complement peer-support programs, professional treatment, and other recovery resources. Different books resonate with different people and stages of recovery.

Where can I find books about addiction recovery?

Happy Destiny Press publishes writing focused on addiction recovery, sobriety, personal reflection, and related themes through the4thdimension.ca.

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