Food for Thought: July 1st

Saying No

There are times when all of us find it difficult to say no. Even though we realize intellectually that we cannot have and do everything, we have trouble saying no to the foods, activities, and people that are not good for us.

Abstaining means saying "No, thank you" when offered something not on our food plan. We may think that we are afraid of hurting someone else's feelings by our refusal, but usually it is our own compulsive desire that prevents us from giving a firm no. Our sanity and health are more important than pleasing whoever is offering what we should not have.

As we work the program, we become more aware of the people and activities that use up our energies unnecessarily. Avoiding them gives us more time and strength for what means most to us. Learning when and how to say no is a very important part of our recovery. Most often, the person we need to say no to is ourself.

I pray for the strength to say no to what is not good for me.

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

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When I find myself unwilling to say No Thank You to a food that is potentially dangerous to my recovery, I have to ask myself Why.  Am I afraid of hurting your feelings, honestly? Or, am I afraid of depriving myself of something I desire?

 

Normally, I'm afraid of depriving myself. My own compulsive desires tend to dictate my behavior, and that is at the core of the issue.  I can lie to myself and say otherwise.  Or, I can accept the truth & have a plan in place to deal with tempting situations as they come up.

 

If I want to live a life that's free from the burden of addiction & obsession, then I will stick to my food plan of abstinence, No. Matter. What.

 

I will strengthen my Commitment Muscle by practicing the No Thank You statement, and I will not wallow in self-pity for having the courage to do so.

 

I will not strengthen my Compulsive-Overeating Muscle by worrying about anyone's feelings when it comes to MY program.  If someone is 'angry' with me for MY food choices, SO. BE. IT.

 

Every time I say OK to an off plan food, I run the risk of falling off the ledge with my program. I would never think to say OK to a 'small cocktail', yet I DO think of saying OK to a trigger food, from time to time.

 

For today, I pray for the strength to say NO to what I KNOW is not good for me. For today, I pray for the strength to avoid ALL of my addictive behaviors & to live within the boundaries of my program.