For Today: August 28th

The only means of strengthening one’s intellect is to make up one’s mind about nothing---to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts.

John Keats

To let go the fixed ideas and prejudices that occupy my mind is to eliminate the safety of absolutes.  By making room for the unknown, I invite change.  I do not know the direction toward which growth will take me, nor do I know what will be revealed to me.  I may say, “I want to work this program so I can have such and such.”  But working the program means putting control of my life in God’s keeping, not mine.  Recovery means being open to  what life brings, not insisting on having things my way.  Working this program is being aware, letting my thoughts ramble and allowing feelings to come out of hiding.

For Today:  What an adventure this OA program is!  I go forth with an open mind, eager to learn what God will reveal to me.

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Speaking as a compulsive overeater, change is a tough thing for me.  I welcome it, on the one hand, and dread it on the other.  I work in a job that constantly forces change upon me. I wind up feeling uncomfortable.......somewhat like an idiot in fact, when I don't catch on to the 'new way' instantly.  I am a slow learner, especially where computers are concerned.  I am 'old-school' and to me, Excel is a tool of the DEVIL.  Working in that program tests my patience & makes me question my own intelligence........which is tough to deal with.  I don't like feeling 'stupid'.......yet........I am working in a job where I feel that way quite OFTEN.

Speaking as a compulsive overeater, I PREFER to live in the safety of absolutes.  To invite change is to welcome the UNKNOWN and for me, that is a difficult concept.

As an OAer, I choose to let go and let God...........only when I try to control everyone and everything do I suffer. 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

The courage to change the things I can;

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Keeping an open mind HELPS me........but sometimes it feels IMPOSSIBLE to DO.  Black & white thinking is my basic instinct...........the gray area can be scary & feel overwhelming.

For today, I pray to accept the Gray Areas of my life & to deal with them openly; with acceptance & faith that God will guide me accordingly, one day at a time.