For Today: January 10th

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

William James

“Take what you like and leave the rest” is a saying most of us hear as newcomers.

We are not all alike. What one person enthusiastically recommends may not suit me at all.  Of course, sometimes  I cannot know in advance what to overlook.  When I must choose, I go with what seems best and give myself time to see how it works.

There is one suggestion each of us would do well to take:  follow the twelve steps.  The steps are the program of recovery in its entirety; everything else is intended to support that process. The tools are just that: tremendously helpful implements for working the steps.

For Today:  I practice the twelve steps to the best of my ability and use whatever aids give promise of working for me.

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 In life, it sometimes seems there is more to leave than to take.  It's no different in OA.  I may have to attend 10 meetings before I find some useful or enlightening wisdom to take into my heart. 

But one process that is  useful is following the steps, and working them to the best of my ability. When I learn how to forgive, I prosper.  When I learn how to make amends to those I've hurt, I clear my conscience and I don't feel the need to overeat.  

The steps are a blueprint to living a sane, balanced and spiritual lifestyle.  Abstinence goes hand in hand with the step process, and insures me a better quality of life than I've ever dreamed possible.

Recovery is possible, and I am living proof of that fact. Working the steps, using the program tools, and following my plan of abstinence allows me to live, free from the burden of addiction & obsession, as God intended me to live.

One day at a time, recovery awaits those who are willing to take the steps to find it.  For today, I am, as usual, grateful for this program and the caring, loving people who support me along my journey of self-discovery.