For Today: January 9th

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.

Hans Hoffman

One of the most profound utterances in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous is Dr. Bob’s parting plea to Bill W.: Let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple.”

Overeaters Anonymous has its share of compulsive complicators.  They lard the program with mandatory procedures and other distractions.  If newcomers succeed in finding out what the program is about in this welter of the unnecessary, it may well be because they have an innate ability to simplify.

For Today:  I pray to be reminded of the simple principles of this program, especially when I am tempted to present personal interpretations as the only way.

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The beauty of this program is in its simplicity.  If I fuss around with my food plan, I wake up my taste-buds and have a hard time getting them back to sleep.

If I over-complicate the steps, feeling like I have to work them 'perfectly', I'll hit the wall and stop working them completely.  


When doing a 4th step inventory, for example, I can work on my list for an hour or so, and then stop.  I can re-visit my list at a later time and work on it again for an hour.  


There is no 'right or wrong' when it comes to working my program.........I figure out what works for ME and then proceed accordingly.


I have been to OA meetings where the 'rules' prevail. Mentioning a specific food can throw the group into a tailspin, where members are more concerned about 'breaking the rules' than they are in helping their peers find/maintain abstinence.


I have been to meetings where one specific point will be hashed, re-hashed, and broken down into minute detail, so the 'perfect' interpretation can be determined.


When our OCD tendencies take over, ALL is lost, including the original purpose of an OA meeting: to share our strength, hope and experience.


The need to over complicate, and over think, my life is what led me to compulsive overeating behaviors in the first place!


For today, I pray to keep my entire LIFE as simple as I possibly can!