Food For Thought: June 21st

Discipline

If we think of discipline in terms of punishment, we miss the more constructive meanings of the word. Discipline is order, training, practice, and study. Without it, our lives are ineffective and full of chaos. Before we came to OA, our eating patterns were probably chaotic. We may have been short of order in other areas, too.

Discipline is a tool, which produces self-respect and a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. When we discipline ourselves to eat three measured meals a day, we achieve physical and emotional results, which make our spirits, sing! The discipline of the OA program liberates us from the tyranny of self-will and self-indulgence.

As we develop trust in our Higher Power, we begin to see that the hardships and difficulties we face are means to spiritual development. Through them, we acquire self-discipline and strength. Our lives become ordered according to God's plan.

Make me willing, Lord, to accept the discipline of an ordered life. 

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

~Jim Rohn

  

An abstinent lifestyle is a disciplined one...........chaos-free and structured.  Prior to finding this program, my entire life was out of control. I ate and drank what I wanted, when I wanted to.  And that self-centered behavior produced chaos, misery and a huge disconnect from my Spirit.  Doing things 'my way' wasn't working...........I wasn't capable of running my life while controlling the world at the same time.  <Snicker>

When I surrender to the program, I discipline myself to an ordered life.  I enjoy the fruits of my labor in the form of spiritual and emotional development, and my physical being is healthy at the same time.

When I stop assigning labels to life's events, such as 'good' or 'bad', I am able to accept the hardships that come about as a means to my spiritual development.  What seems to be 'bad' can turn out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me........God pushing me towards growth, knowing I wouldn't do it on my own without His interference.

For today, I am grateful for the discipline of my ordered life.  While some may call a structured routine 'boring', I call it a miracle.