Food for Thought: March 6th

Living Now

When we were eating compulsively, we left the here and now. We escaped into fantasy, and we were often unaware of how much we were eating. By some strange mental quirk, we were able to forget that we should have been burning up our excess fat, not adding more.

God is now. To make contact with Him is to bring ourselves in touch with what is real. When we first came to OA, we may have had doubts, if not downright disbelief, about the reality of God, but concrete experience has convinced most of us that a Higher Power is indeed in control.

In order to be rid of the mental obsession which drives us to the insane behavior of compulsive overeating, we practice being constantly tuned in to our Higher Power. He can restore us to sanity and keep us living in the present. By giving Him our past resentments and future fears, we become free to focus on the here and now. Without resentment and fear, we can see the beauty of the present moment.

Lord, keep me living in the here and now.

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

******************************************************************


When we were eating compulsively, we left the here and now. How true! I was never happy or satisfied with the here & now..........I was always fantasizing about the future, when things would be perfect...........and when I would look perfect.  So I was never able to appreciate NOW........living in the beauty & peace of the moment.  Compulsive overeating is an intentional escape..........a shutting down of the mind & the spirit, and a journey into pure chaos!

I never looked at it that way, though. I thought I was practicing 'freedom' by eating & drinking whatever I wanted.  In reality, I was living in a self-imposed prison............burdened down by addiction...........which is the polar OPPOSITE of freedom!!

In order to be rid of the mental obsession of compulsive overeating *and what to eat next*, I stay abstinent & true to my food plan.  I stay connected to God, who guides me and restores me to sanity.  Through SURRENDER I find freedom!

For today, I am willing & eager to live in the moment.  I give up the fantasy of tomorrow and the memory of yesterday.  All that is real is what's happening right NOW, and I revel in accepting that knowledge.