Food for Thought: October 4th

Friendship

Through this program, we learn that we have choices. Not only can we choose what we will eat and what we will do, but also we can choose our friends. As we become honest, unaddicted people, we are able to relate to each other on a level of mutuality and admiration rather than out of dependency and fear. We gain the self-confidence to choose those with whom we enjoy spending time and sharing, rather than slavishly catering to anyone who will notice us.

Friends in OA have a special bond, since we share a common problem and a common solution. By putting principles before personalities, we avoid dependency and childish demands. Though we love and support each other, we do not cling together, since we are each dependent on a Higher Power. Our friends give us the gift of themselves, which shows us who we are.

Thank You for friendship.

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

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As I became free from addictive behaviors, I stopped slavishly catering to anyone who would notice me.  I was taught to do that, from a very young age.  To pander to others, at my own expense, regardless of whether I liked the person or not! "Put on the face" and then talk about the person behind their back! I watch my mother practicing this behavior every single time I am in a social situation with her!  Over the years, and the deeper I delved into Recovery, the more I realized it is this very behavior that keeps me sick with disease. 

I have choices, believe it or not.  I am free to pick & choose my friends.  When I treat myself & others with honesty, I relate on a different, healthier level.  Instead of relating to others out of dependency & fear, I relate honestly, using my voice to speak MY truth.

Working the Steps taught me who I Am at the core, not who I 'ought to' be.  I 'ought to' be exactly who I AM, and I thank God for showing me that truth.

Childish demands brought me to my knees for the last time.  As I continue to work my Program, I am able to put aside my childishness & accept my place in society as an Adult.  When I act like a grown up, I am treated as a grown up.  When I act like a willful child, pouting when I don't get my way, I am relegated back to the depths of despair as a practicing addict.

For today, I am thankful for being alive and free from addictive thinking.