~ SERVICE ~
When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless.
John Gardner
I used to always think that I was kind and helpful, and that I was always there for other people. Well, of course I was. I was a people-pleaser, and the payoff was to be liked. That never happened, or at least I didn't think so, and I became more resentful and full of self-pity. The truth was that I was so self-absorbed and self-seeking that I didn't know how to really be there for other people, not even my own children. I'm sure that for a long period, even though I was always doing things for them, I was emotionally absent and unavailable when they really needed me. The focus was on me and how fat I looked, or how nobody fulfilled my needs, instead of looking outside of myself to what I could REALLY do for others.
This recovery program has taught me, first and foremost, how to love myself so that I am able to love others, especially my children. I was spiritually and emotionally empty before, but now I am being constantly filled and nurtured spiritually. Now I am able to give back what has freely been given to me. I am learning for the first time the pleasure of giving of myself, of my time and my experience, strength and hope, that others may walk this beautiful road to recovery as I have. In giving what I have, I am strengthening my program and my own recovery. What a joy that has been!
One Day at a Time . . .
I remember that when I do service and give away what I have, I will experience the promises of the program on a daily basis.
~ Sharon S. ~
When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless.
John Gardner
I used to always think that I was kind and helpful, and that I was always there for other people. Well, of course I was. I was a people-pleaser, and the payoff was to be liked. That never happened, or at least I didn't think so, and I became more resentful and full of self-pity. The truth was that I was so self-absorbed and self-seeking that I didn't know how to really be there for other people, not even my own children. I'm sure that for a long period, even though I was always doing things for them, I was emotionally absent and unavailable when they really needed me. The focus was on me and how fat I looked, or how nobody fulfilled my needs, instead of looking outside of myself to what I could REALLY do for others.
This recovery program has taught me, first and foremost, how to love myself so that I am able to love others, especially my children. I was spiritually and emotionally empty before, but now I am being constantly filled and nurtured spiritually. Now I am able to give back what has freely been given to me. I am learning for the first time the pleasure of giving of myself, of my time and my experience, strength and hope, that others may walk this beautiful road to recovery as I have. In giving what I have, I am strengthening my program and my own recovery. What a joy that has been!
One Day at a Time . . .
I remember that when I do service and give away what I have, I will experience the promises of the program on a daily basis.
~ Sharon S. ~
******************************************************
Until I became involved with OA & counseling compulsive overeaters, I was SO self-absorbed! Like Sharon says, I thought I was kind & helpful, that I was 'always there' for others..........but I was a people-pleasure & the 'payoff' was to be liked. I was emotionally unavailable for others, in reality, because I was totally focused on ME ME ME; how fat I was, how I could lose weight, what I could eat or drink, how nobody fulfilled my needs...........how I could avoid pain & blame others for my lot in life.
A self-centered lifestyle is the polar opposite of what we're taught in Recovery. Until we really SEE what what we're doing, we don't understand WHY we overeat. When I live inside of my own head, I can't see past the tip of my own nose.
Giving service gets me OUT of my own head; truly giving back & helping others along their journey to good health. Working on an accounting computer in an office environment only provides me with money to pay bills. Working with COEs and being THERE for them, in their time of need, is the most rewarding work I've ever done. In God's economy, I am fulfilling my life's purpose and that helps ME to stay the course & not obsess about myself or about food.
For today, I remember that when I do service & give away what I have, I will experience the promises and miracles of the program on a daily basis.
For today, I am grateful for fulfilling my life's purpose.
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