For Today: October 13th

Understanding is the beginning of approving.

Andre Gide

When my head was muddled from compulsion, I trudged through the anxious world of fear and despair.  Coming to OA was the beginning of a new life.  I am thankful for my new capacity for understanding, for acceptance of all that I had to go through in order to become the person I am today.  OA is my reward, abstinence my gift.

This program has made possible tremendous changes in attitude.  It has given me many dimensions, a Higher Power, a lighter step and a liking of myself.  I have put aside the standard of perfection in favor of understanding and approving myself as I am.

For Today:  I pray to remain open to understanding and approving life.

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It's tough to 'approve' of myself if I'm not 100% abstinent.  My sense of self-worth is directly tied in to what I put in my mouth.......which shouldn't be the case at ALL. 

Abstinence is definitely a gift, one that should not be taken lightly or for granted. Without abstinence, I sink back into the black hole of despair and negative thinking about ALL of life.


Going thru life with a muddled head due to compulsive overeating is not LIVING; it's existing.  Excess food has the same effect on me as heroin would have on a junkie.  I am a food addict and the only thing that keeps me focused and sane is abstinence.


For today, I pray to accept my disease for what it is, and, in turn, accept myself for who I am.  I ask God to help me stay abstinent and keep my eye on the prize: peace of mind and serenity.