Food for Thought: February 14th

Satisfaction

When we were overeating, we thought mainly about trying to satisfy ourselves. The more we ate, the more we wanted to eat. The more we ate, the less satisfied we were. We finally realized that satisfaction was not to be found by consuming more and more food.

When we stopped overeating, we suddenly had much more time and energy available for constructive activities. We began to contribute more to our families, our jobs, our recreation. We found new areas where we could be of service to others.

Because OA has given us so much, we in turn are able to share with our groups. As we give to others, we receive self-satisfaction as a by-product. This is a much more powerful satisfaction than we ever found in the refrigerator!

For each of us, serving and contributing to the best of our abilities means abstaining. Without abstinence, we can never be satisfied.

Thank You for opportunities to give and for the satisfaction of abstinence.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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No matter how much I eat during a binge, it is NEVER 'enough'..............I never feel satisfied or 'full', either, until I'm physically sick, and then I will still go back for more. 

Trying to fill an emotional or spiritual void with food is a gigantic mistake. It's kind of like trying to build a foundation with water................soil is what's required, not water..........so no matter HOW much water is used, it will never accomplish the job. Neither will food accomplish the job of making me whole and satisfied.

For today, I will fill my soul with spiritual sustenance rather than food............I will read and pray to nourish my soul, and I will eat a measured amount of food to nourish my body.  I will not confuse my need for spiritual fulfillment with a false 'need' for food.