An hour before my party guests are due to arrive, I remember the sliding door makes an awful noise whenever someone opens or closes it. Since guests will be moving in and out, the squeaky door, which really sounds more like a shriek, will be annoying. I decide this is a problem and it's time to fix it.

I get the oil, squirt some on the metal runner near the floor, and push the door back and forth. There's no change. I apply more oil and repeatedly open and close the door. There's still no change. Then I remember the slogan, "Think." So I wipe oil all over the metal runner, but the squeak continues. All my efforts have produced no result at all.

My anger simmers, but another slogan bubbles in my brain, "Easy Does It." I also think if I keep doing what I'm doing, I'll keep getting what I'm getting. Then I remember, "How Important Is It?" I look at the door one more time and take a deep breath. So what, if the door squeaks. With all the party noise and chatter, does it really matter?

I have choices. I can choose to be upset and frustrated or I can choose to remain calm. Remembering "First Things First," I busy myself with party preparations and then enjoy the party.

After everyone leaves, I sit down to relax. Looking at the sliding door again, I discover it has two runners—one at the top and one at the bottom. Oiling the bottom runner was ineffective, but when I add oil to the top runner the squeak disappears immediately. As usual, I was forgetting to look for solutions at a higher level!

Although the alcoholic in my life has moved on, I still need Al-Anon. The slogans especially help me to let go of irritations and maintain serenity, "One Day at a Time."

By Millie M., Ontario
The Forum, March 2005

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