For Today: April 16th

For Today: April 16th

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King

I sometimes meet people, even in OA, who in their eagerness to help, offer suggestions that are not right for me. But I no longer need to act on questionable advice merely to avoid offending someone. I am not in this program to play the old game of people-pleasing.  I know, above all else, that my recovery comes before anything and anyone; that this is a right and necessary concern.

I listen graciously to all who offer help, but I follow the simple instructions of the twelve-step program and I keep my eyes and ears open for a sponsor whose primary concern will be to help me find what works for me.

For Today: Do the strengths of those OAs who have what I want correspond with my needs?

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How many things have I done in my life in an effort to avoid offending someone? Probably a million or more. My primary goal in life was to please others, not God, not myself…..other people who didn’t really matter at all! If I had my life to live over again, I’d change that quest to please others, especially at my own expense.

It was so very important to me to have others like me,  no matter what. I’d bend over backwards to please someone of minor significance, and wind up neglecting myself or my own family in the process. This bothers me tremendously. To think I felt the NEED to do that just blows my mind.

In OA, I have learned that my recovery is THE most important part of my life.  Saying No Thank You to an off plan food is not only the right thing to do, it is a requirement for me to maintain abstinence. If others think me ‘rude’ for turning down their offer, SO BE IT.  As long as I stay true to myself, to my program, and to God, I am on the right track.

For today, I pray to keep my priorities straight.