Learning Moderation
If we had known how to practice moderation, we would not have become compulsive overeaters. Following the abstinence guidelines enables us to eat moderately. Working the Twelve Steps teaches us moderation in other activities.
Knowing when to quit involves knowing ourselves. We tend to get carried away with our determination to finish a job today, to explain our life history to a new friend in one afternoon, to complete a major project in record time. The tendency to devour life rapidly in huge chunks can be as damaging as compulsive overeating.
It is the serenity we acquire from contact with our Higher Power that saves us from wearing ourselves out compulsively. An awareness of the quiet Power and order, which sustains all life calms our over-stimulated personalities. Dependence on God as we understand Him gives us the support and confidence we need to be content with moderate efforts and accomplishments.
Teach me to practice moderation.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.
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Amen to this reading! "Moderation" is not a word in this girl's vocabulary! My Food Plan creates moderation for me. It is designed to keep me full but not stuffed; satisfied but not overfed. If I want to eat more than what's on my Food Plan, I know that it's my mind that's hungry & not my stomach.
My Food Plan of abstinence is designed to be my security blanket; my sanity; my hope amidst the chaos of compulsive overeating. It's not a punishment or a curse, but a miracle handed to me by my Higher Power.
I'd like to say that I've 'learned' moderation in all areas of my life, including my food intake, but I have not. Some things can never be 'learned' or taught in a book or by a teacher. But my Life Plan keeps me behaving moderately, and for that I am thankful. Setting up a few rules for myself has also helped a lot. When the washing machine is full, I run it, throw it into the dryer, fold it & put it away. That forces me not to procrastinate & overwhelm myself with facing 20 loads of laundry. I exercise in a certain manner, for a certain amount of time, and then I'm done with exercise for the day. That plan prevents me from feeling like I 'have to' go to the gym and kill myself every day for hours on end. Explaining my life history to a new friend in one afternoon & completing a major project in record time I'm still working on.......:)
For today, I vow not to wear myself out compulsively. For today, I will behave myself in a moderate fashion, with moderate efforts & expectations.
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