Each Day a New Beginning: October 14th

The balance between mind and spirit comes hard for me. The eternal split. Two entities, perfectly aware and yet perfectly unwilling to cooperate.
—Mary Casey

The program directs our spiritual growth, a human aspect that had atrophied, if ever it had existed, for most of us before abstinence. And the process of developing our spiritual nature is painstaking. Living by our wits, or the fervent application of "situational analysis" had been our survival tools for months or years.

To return repeatedly to the old tools for quick solutions to serious situations is second nature. Learning to rely on spiritual guidance for solutions and to use it to sharpen our analytical focus takes patience and continual effort.

Within our spiritual realm we find our connection to God. We have been given the wisdom; all the knowledge we need is at our fingertips. The confidence to move ahead and offer our special talent to others comes from our Spirit. We are all that we need to be. Our mind and our Spirits, in concert, can tackle any challenge and succeed.

My mind and my Spirit can become compatible entities with the development of my trust in each. Knowledge plus courage can move mountains. I have been given both.

From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey © 1982, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation

My Certified Health Coach Website

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To return to the old coping tools of overeating and/or drinking is instinctual, after decades of continued practice. The FIRST thought I have when confronted with a stressful or emotional situation is "What can I eat?"  I can't change my instincts but I CAN change my response to those instincts. I now have a whole set of tools in my toolbox to draw upon when I want to overeat.  First and foremost is prayer.  When I ask God to help me through a difficult situation, He does. Every time, not just once in a while. I must be willing to ask for help, however, and to stop relying on only myself. 

When I work on my spiritual nourishment is when I am able to stay the course with my Food Plan.  IT is what keeps me centered & focused, and God is available to help me 24/7.

For today, I will not revert to my old coping mechanisms to deal with stress.  For today, I will rely on God and on my Food Plan instead.