Food for Thought: September 9th

Amends to Others

The people most affected by our disease were undoubtedly the members of our own family. Then came our closest friends, if we had any when we were overeating. These people were directly affected by our negative moods and by our withdrawal away from them into overeating. They also may have been affected by not getting food which should have been theirs, but which we had eaten. Some of us stole money to buy food that we did not need but had to have. Some of us stole food.

Making amends is sometimes embarrassing and often difficult. It involves much pride swallowing. A simple, sincere apology may be all that is necessary. There may be concrete acts, which we can perform. As with making amends to ourselves, the best way we can make up for the hurt we have caused to family and friends is by abstaining from compulsive overeating. As we abstain, we reach out to those around us instead of withdrawing. Our own sanity is the best gift we can give to others.

May I have the courage to make amends.

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

My Certified Health Coach Website

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I hear lots of people say that their overeating hurts nobody but themselves. Really? If I'm stuffing myself senseless, I'm not present & available to anyone........I'm stuck inside of my own head, waiting for THEM to amscray so I can be left alone to 'eat in peace'.

I've stolen money to buy food.........from the people I babysat for as a kid, from my dad's pants pocket while he was sleeping.   I've stolen food that belonged to other people, then lying as to how it disappeared. I've eaten my kids' Halloween candy when they weren't looking. I've done it all folks, including eating from the trash can. I'd throw something out, vowing to change my evil ways, then dug it OUT of the trash later on when the compulsion to overeat got strong enough. 

How can a compulsive overeater have pride & self-esteem when she is acting LIKE THIS? That's the vicious cycle of the disease, that sets us on a downward spiral, and kills off the quality of life.  We do shameful things.............things that cause US to feel shame, that is, and then wonder why the disease defeats us and brings us to our knees in desperation.

I've made my amends to lots of people I've hurt with my selfish actions. I continue to make amends whenever necessary, so I don't have to carry the burden of it on my shoulders for any length of time.

Living a clean, sober, HONEST lifestyle is the only way.

For today, may I know that my own sanity is the best gift I can give to others.  For today, I pray to avoid the pit of compulsive overeating and to choose LIFE instead.