~ FELLOWSHIP ~
We may have all come on different ships,
but we're in the same boat now.
Martin Luther King Jr.
As a child I never had many friends and I was never one of the "in" crowd. I had many complexes and never thought I was good enough, or clever enough or thin enough. I didn't date much, nor did I often go to parties. Instead I lived in my perfect fantasy world, where I would one day be thin and beautiful and live happily ever after. As a result food became my best friend, and where friends would constantly disappoint me or leave me, food was always there to numb the pain of loneliness, rejection and loss. There was never anyone in whom I could confide the unbearable pain that I felt, and so I would bury myself in books and food, and thought that as long as I had enough food to soothe that great big hole in my soul, everything would be fine.
Finally, however, when the food was causing me more pain than the pain it was supposed to take away, in desperation I found the doors of this wonderful fellowship. The people in that first meeting were from all walks of life, and of all ages, with some being old enough to be my parents or young enough to be my children. Even though they initially appeared so different to me, I realized that in this motley group of people I had found the friends that I had always been looking for. The common bond we shared in our desire to stop eating compulsively and to heal our lives was the cement that keeps this wonderful fellowship going. These friends listened to me without judging me, they loved me even when I couldn't love myself, and they were there for me when I needed them. They have become my best friends and my family. It's a result of this fellowship with other compulsive overeaters, who share with me their experience, strength and hope, that I am constantly able to learn and grow.
One day at a time... One Day at a Time . . .
I will reach out in fellowship to my friends in the program, as they reach out to me, and in doing so I am empowered in ways that are truly miraculous.
~ Sharon S. ~
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Each Day a New Beginning
However confused the scene of our
life appears, however torn we may be who now do face that scene, it can
be faced, and we can go on to be whole.
—Muriel Rukeyser
We can expect to feel fear, even dread at some points in our lives. We will always have situations that, for a time at least, seem more than we can bear. But the clouds will lift. We are never given more than we can handle, and with each passing day we become more at ease with ourselves and all that life gives us. We are learning that "this too shall pass." Our confidence grows as our spiritual program gains strength.
—Muriel Rukeyser
We can expect to feel fear, even dread at some points in our lives. We will always have situations that, for a time at least, seem more than we can bear. But the clouds will lift. We are never given more than we can handle, and with each passing day we become more at ease with ourselves and all that life gives us. We are learning that "this too shall pass." Our confidence grows as our spiritual program gains strength.
Our ties to one another and our ties to the
program make us whole. When we reflect on who we were and how far we've
come, we will see that problems we drank over in days gone by are
handled today and often with ease. The joy we share is that no problem
is too great to be faced any longer. And no situation will ever have to
be faced alone, unless we reject God's help.
I will be grateful for my growth toward wholeness
and the opportunities I face today. They are bringing me into harmony
with the Divine plan for my life.
From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey
© 1982, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.
*****************************************************
Food for Thought
Abstinence Is Freedom
In the beginning, when we first practice abstinence, we may look at it as restriction, limitation, or denial. We don't like the word, we don't like giving up our favorite foods, we don't like measuring and weighing and writing down menus. We sometimes decide to abstain grudgingly, considering it punishment for past indulgences and bitter medicine for our disease.
Let's remember that what we are giving up is fat, lethargy, and the uncontrolled craving for more and more. Not to abstain is to remain a slave to compulsive overeating. Before OA, we were not free. We were prisoners of our compulsion.
Abstinence is not negative denial. It is positive freedom from the obsession with food and the debilitating effects of overeating. Through abstinence we become free to live active, interesting, satisfying lives. We are able to work and love and serve and enjoy in ways, which were unknown to us before.
When we choose to abstain, we choose freedom.
Thank you, Lord, for freedom.
In the beginning, when we first practice abstinence, we may look at it as restriction, limitation, or denial. We don't like the word, we don't like giving up our favorite foods, we don't like measuring and weighing and writing down menus. We sometimes decide to abstain grudgingly, considering it punishment for past indulgences and bitter medicine for our disease.
Let's remember that what we are giving up is fat, lethargy, and the uncontrolled craving for more and more. Not to abstain is to remain a slave to compulsive overeating. Before OA, we were not free. We were prisoners of our compulsion.
Abstinence is not negative denial. It is positive freedom from the obsession with food and the debilitating effects of overeating. Through abstinence we become free to live active, interesting, satisfying lives. We are able to work and love and serve and enjoy in ways, which were unknown to us before.
When we choose to abstain, we choose freedom.
Thank you, Lord, for freedom.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L.
©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.
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The Language of Letting Go
Owning Our Power
We need to make a distinction between powerlessness and owning our power.
We need to make a distinction between powerlessness and owning our power.
The first step in recovery is accepting
powerlessness. There are some things we can't do, no matter how long or
hard we try. These things include changing other people, solving their
problems, and controlling their behavior. Sometimes, we feel powerless
over ourselves - what we feel or believe, or the effects of a particular
situation or person on us.
It's important to surrender to powerlessness, but
it's equally important to own our power. We aren't trapped. We aren't
helpless. Sometimes it may feel like we are, but we aren't. We each have
the God-given power, and the right, to take care of ourselves in any
circumstance, and with any person. The middle ground of self-care lies
between the two extremes of controlling others and allowing them to
control us. We can walk that ground gently or assertively, but in
confidence that it is our right and responsibility.
Let the power come to walk that path.
Today, I will remember that I can take care of my self. I have choices, and I can exercise the options I choose without guilt.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
©1990, Hazelden Foundation
****************************************************
Today's thought from Hazelden is:
The secret of success is constancy of purpose.
--Benjamin Disraeli
In Twelve Step meetings, we don't talk about counseling, treatment centers, or non-program reading. Many of us have been helped in these ways, but we shouldn't confuse them with Twelve Step programs.
We must keep our Twelve Step programs pure. Certainly, we should use these sources if they help us, but not in our program meetings. There, we must stick to the basics that have helped addicts recover all over the world for many years. Steps, traditions, meetings, and sponsorship these things work, no matter what else is in style.
Prayer for the Day
Higher Power, let me be there to help an addict in need by sharing my Twelve Step program.
Action for the Day
I will help out today by being a sponsor or by calling a new group member just to say hello.
You are reading from the book:
Keep It Simple by Anonymous
The secret of success is constancy of purpose.
--Benjamin Disraeli
In Twelve Step meetings, we don't talk about counseling, treatment centers, or non-program reading. Many of us have been helped in these ways, but we shouldn't confuse them with Twelve Step programs.
We must keep our Twelve Step programs pure. Certainly, we should use these sources if they help us, but not in our program meetings. There, we must stick to the basics that have helped addicts recover all over the world for many years. Steps, traditions, meetings, and sponsorship these things work, no matter what else is in style.
Prayer for the Day
Higher Power, let me be there to help an addict in need by sharing my Twelve Step program.
Action for the Day
I will help out today by being a sponsor or by calling a new group member just to say hello.
You are reading from the book:
Keep It Simple by Anonymous
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