Recovery Meditations: June 25th

STEP TWELVE

“One must really have suffered oneself to help others.”
Mother Teresa

Before coming into the program, I always worked in some sort of caring profession and was always either helping or “fixing” someone else ~ mostly in areas in which I had no personal experience. I was a people-pleaser and I would be there for someone else. If anything needed to be done, I was the one to offer to do it. But ultimately that backfired because I would feel used and resentful, and I would land up in the food as my way of compensating.

Since coming into program I have changed the way I help others. Instead of doing for others so they would like me -- or so I would get a pat on the back -- I share my experience, strength and hope with other compulsive overeaters. I have been where they have been, and I can share with them my struggles and how I've overcome them. Not only do I help others in the program with what I have learned, but, as they say, I can only keep what I have if I give it away. I get as much -- if not more -- from sharing with another in the program. How different this is from the way it was before I began the program, and I'm so grateful for that!

One day at a time...
I will share my experience, strength and hope with another compulsive overeater. By doing so, I get to keep what I have so generously been given in this program.

~ Sharon

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Feeling 'used & resentful', then eating or drinking to compensate..........boy can I ever relate to THAT!

 

When I give of myself for the right reasons, I expect nothing in return. When I give of myself out of guilt, that's when I feel used & abused............and entitled to soothe myself with excess. 

I set down boundaries with loved ones who suck the life out of me by being negative and demanding. It is not my 'job' to make THEM happy, and trying to do so is an exercise in futility. It hurts MY program to be a people-pleaser. Trying to 'fix' someone's life is crazy.........I have my own life to focus on, thank-you-very-much.

 

Today, I am able to share my experience, strength and hope with people who are in similar situations, with compulsive overeating problems and alcohol issues. I don't give 'free advice'...........I don't expect a pat on the back or that everyone is going to love me.  I share myself as a way of giving back, and to preserve what I have so generously been given in this program.

 

For today, I will reach out to others who suffer, AND, I will take care of ME by setting down boundaries with toxic loved ones.  For today, I pray that someone else can benefit from hearing about my struggles, and know they are not alone.

We're all in this together, one day at a time.