Recovery Meditations: May 31st

THE TITANIC

“Men at some time are masters of their fates.”
William Shakespeare

Our early days in OA can be compared to being a passenger on the Titanic. As we took our beloved and wonderfully-powerful first three steps, we were taking a voyage. In Step One we realized we were on the Titanic and that we were doomed. In Step Two we spotted a lifeboat. And in Step Three we took our seats in the lifeboat.

My voyage began with Step One when I realized the connection between the weight I was carrying and some health issues I had last year. I had developed "pitting edema" in both ankles. That was a sign of congestive heart failure. I was on the Titanic! In addition to my physical health condition, I discovered that my inner-health was also challenged. I had lived my life filled with resentments and negative thinking which ate at my very being. I had lost much of my spiritual strength and was in need of spiritual renewal. I was indeed a passenger on my own personal Titanic.

My voyage continued with Step Two. I can't even remember how I found The Recovery Group online, but I know that my Higher Power must have brought me here. Though I didn't believe at that time what the fellowship said in the meetings, I "acted as if" I believed my Higher Power could relieve me of these horrible compulsions to overeat and to live in resentment and negativity. That was all it took. I had spotted the lifeboat and was "acting as if" I believed it had come for me.

I was being changed. My early days of abstinence were difficult, but achievable. I had gotten into the lifeboat. I will always remember where I was when I suddenly realized that God had relieved me of the compulsion to eat between meals and at night. That realization had a huge impact on me. That day I took my seat on the lifeboat. I have been blessed with so much recovery. The ride I am on in this lifeboat isn't a free ride; it requires that I work this program on a daily basis. But when I consider the alternative, I love the ride I am on and I truly cherish the passengers with whom I am sharing this boat!

One day at a time...
I will cherish the lifeboat that this program has given me.

~ Karen A.

****************************************************************

Resentments & negative thinking led me to eat compulsively; to doom myself to a voyage on the Titanic.  OA is my lifeboat; I no longer feel doomed, but joyous and free!

Not every day is 'easy' nor do I feel strong & capable all the time.  On bad days, I know I need to reconnect with my Higher Power and tune back into my spirituality.  On the days when I have horrible compulsions to overeat (especially at night), I realize I'm not giving my life over to God.

On the days I want to eat eat eat, I know that I'm not putting my life in God's hands and instead, am dwelling in negativity and fear. Abstinence relieves me; it does not burden me down. 

For today, I will put my abstinence FIRST in my life.  My ride on this lifeboat is NOT free, however, and I realize I must do the footwork every day to maintain the freedom I enjoy.

One day at a time, I will live my life to the fullest, with God's help, and support from my fellow compulsive overeaters in program.