Recovery Meditations:
April 21, 2015
~ RELIGION ~
Religion is for people
who don't want to go to hell.
Program is for people
who have already been there.
Unknown
I was religious when I came into program and I was ready and
willing to tell everyone what the "true" faith was. I went to church
every Sunday. I was a religion teacher. I knew it all.
The truth is I didn't know ANYTHING. It didn't take long for
me to begin to question my own religiosity. In fact, it began at Steps two and
three. Before long, I wondered if there was a God at all. If there was, is God
a He, a She or an It? Then I decided, yes there was a God, but did He/She/It
care about me?
The real truth is God is who God needs to be to work through
me. There's no right or wrong answer to my questions. What I DO know is that
God loves me just the way I am.
The greatest gift my Higher Power gave me came on the day I
looked up to "heaven" and told God, "I don't believe in
You!" And that still, quiet voice inside of me asked, "Then to Whom
are you speaking?"
One Day at a Time . .
.
I don't have to have
theological "proof" that there is a Power greater than myself. I just
need to believe.
~ Debbie ~
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Each Day a New Beginning
To look backward for a while is to
refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its
prime function of looking forward.
—Margaret Fairless Barber
When we contemplate last month, last year, the period of time just before we came into this Twelve Step program, we can see many changes, good changes, have come our way. But we take the changes for granted sometimes. Or maybe we fail to reflect on them at all. We get caught up in the turmoil of the present, believing it will last forever, forgetting that yesterday's turmoil taught us much that we needed to know.
The past, for most of us, was rife with pain. But now we have hope. We have gained on life. We may be back in the good graces of our family. Perhaps we have patched up some failed relationships. A career has beckoned to us. Good experiences have come to pass. But we aren't free of difficulties. They need not get us down again. Hindsight assures us that this, too, will pass. It also guarantees that we will move forward, just as we have again and again, if we have but faith.
I will take this moment to look back at last year or the last binge. I can rest assured that I am moving forward. I will continue to do so.
—Margaret Fairless Barber
When we contemplate last month, last year, the period of time just before we came into this Twelve Step program, we can see many changes, good changes, have come our way. But we take the changes for granted sometimes. Or maybe we fail to reflect on them at all. We get caught up in the turmoil of the present, believing it will last forever, forgetting that yesterday's turmoil taught us much that we needed to know.
The past, for most of us, was rife with pain. But now we have hope. We have gained on life. We may be back in the good graces of our family. Perhaps we have patched up some failed relationships. A career has beckoned to us. Good experiences have come to pass. But we aren't free of difficulties. They need not get us down again. Hindsight assures us that this, too, will pass. It also guarantees that we will move forward, just as we have again and again, if we have but faith.
I will take this moment to look back at last year or the last binge. I can rest assured that I am moving forward. I will continue to do so.
From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey
© 1982, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.
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Food for Thought
New Skills
When we stop eating compulsively, we get out of ruts that we may have been in for years. Our schedules change, since we spend less time eating. The confidence we gain encourages us to try new activities, and we discover skills we never knew we had.
Because we are no longer disgusted with ourselves, we get along better with those around us. As we learn to give up fear and self-centeredness, we find ourselves turning out better work and performing well in areas where before we had been weak.
Spiritual growth is the key to the new developments in all parts of our lives. We have become more closely connected to the source of creativity, so we are more alive. Others respond positively to our new sincerity and enthusiasm.
That we may continue to grow and learn gives us quiet satisfaction. For this, we are grateful to OA and our Higher Power.
Thank You, Lord, for newness of life.
When we stop eating compulsively, we get out of ruts that we may have been in for years. Our schedules change, since we spend less time eating. The confidence we gain encourages us to try new activities, and we discover skills we never knew we had.
Because we are no longer disgusted with ourselves, we get along better with those around us. As we learn to give up fear and self-centeredness, we find ourselves turning out better work and performing well in areas where before we had been weak.
Spiritual growth is the key to the new developments in all parts of our lives. We have become more closely connected to the source of creativity, so we are more alive. Others respond positively to our new sincerity and enthusiasm.
That we may continue to grow and learn gives us quiet satisfaction. For this, we are grateful to OA and our Higher Power.
Thank You, Lord, for newness of life.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L.
©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.
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The Language of Letting Go
Waiting
Wait. If the time is not right, the way is not clear, the answer or decision not consistent, wait.
We may feel a sense of urgency. We may want to resolve the issue by doing something - anything now, but that action is not in our best interest.
Living with confusion or unsolved problems is difficult. It is easier to resolve things. But making a decision too soon, doing something before it's time, means we may have to go back and redo it.
If the time is not right, wait. If the way is not clear, do not plunge forward. If the answer or decision feels muddy, wait.
In this new way of life, there is a Guiding Force. We do not ever have to move too soon or move out of harmony. Waiting is an action - a positive, forceful action.
Often, waiting is a God-guided action, one with as much power as a decision, and more power than an urgent, ill-timed decision.
We do not have to pressure ourselves by insisting that we do or know something before it's time. When it is time, we will know. We will move into that time naturally and harmoniously. We will have peace and consistency. We will feel empowered in a way we do not feel today.
Deal with the panic, the urgency, and the fear; do not let them control or dictate decisions.
Waiting isn't easy. It isn't fun. But waiting is often necessary to get what we want. It is not dead time; it is not downtime. The answer will come. The power will come. The time will come. And it will be right.
Today, I will wait, if waiting is the action I need in order to take care of myself. I will know that I am taking a positive, forceful action by waiting until the time is right. God, help me let go of my fear, urgency, and panic. Help me learn the art of waiting until the time is right. Help me learn timing.
Wait. If the time is not right, the way is not clear, the answer or decision not consistent, wait.
We may feel a sense of urgency. We may want to resolve the issue by doing something - anything now, but that action is not in our best interest.
Living with confusion or unsolved problems is difficult. It is easier to resolve things. But making a decision too soon, doing something before it's time, means we may have to go back and redo it.
If the time is not right, wait. If the way is not clear, do not plunge forward. If the answer or decision feels muddy, wait.
In this new way of life, there is a Guiding Force. We do not ever have to move too soon or move out of harmony. Waiting is an action - a positive, forceful action.
Often, waiting is a God-guided action, one with as much power as a decision, and more power than an urgent, ill-timed decision.
We do not have to pressure ourselves by insisting that we do or know something before it's time. When it is time, we will know. We will move into that time naturally and harmoniously. We will have peace and consistency. We will feel empowered in a way we do not feel today.
Deal with the panic, the urgency, and the fear; do not let them control or dictate decisions.
Waiting isn't easy. It isn't fun. But waiting is often necessary to get what we want. It is not dead time; it is not downtime. The answer will come. The power will come. The time will come. And it will be right.
Today, I will wait, if waiting is the action I need in order to take care of myself. I will know that I am taking a positive, forceful action by waiting until the time is right. God, help me let go of my fear, urgency, and panic. Help me learn the art of waiting until the time is right. Help me learn timing.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
©1990, Hazelden Foundation
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Today's thoughts from Hazelden are:
Quiet My Mind
Dear Lord,
Teach me to quiet my mind.
Stop my thoughts from racing from one thing to another.
Stop me from the obsessive thinking about the lives of others.
Help me rest and quiet my mind.
Help me let go of trying to control the lives of others.
Free my mind to be at rest.
This I pray.
Quiet My Mind
Dear Lord,
Teach me to quiet my mind.
Stop my thoughts from racing from one thing to another.
Stop me from the obsessive thinking about the lives of others.
Help me rest and quiet my mind.
Help me let go of trying to control the lives of others.
Free my mind to be at rest.
This I pray.
You are reading from the book:
Thank you for taking the time to create these posts. I wish you well and regret that I well no longer be reading. There really are right and wrong answers.
ReplyDeleteDeb
Deb: I don't 'create' these posts..........I copy/paste them from The Hazelden Organization website every day.
DeletePlease try not to make 'right' & 'wrong' judgments based on"Debbie's" post today in Recovery Meditations. Those statements were HERS, and relate to how SHE feels on the subject of religion. It's imperative to be open-minded on the subject of religion in 12 Step Programs, because they are designed to embrace everyone, regardless of religious background or beliefs. Some people are atheists and come into 12 Step rooms and find their Higher Power, and that's the miracle of the program!
Take care & thanks for stopping by.
I understand that about OA, but for this to be on of the published "For Today" readings, it means that OA is endorsing Debbie's belief that God will be whatever you need Him to be. And I guess I knew that, too. In fact, the whole Higher Power thing has always made me uncomfortable even tho I know why it is a part of the program.
DeleteMy response is not as judgmental or harsh as it may sound. If Debbie expressed her opinion at a meeting, I would not have had a negative response. Everyone is entitle to their own opinions and beliefs.
I guess reading it as part of the daily readings emphasized just how much OA, etc, supported that view. Enough to make it a meditation.
Funny that the writer carries my name for that Debbie made this one realize that OA is not the good fit that I had hoped it would be.
Thank you for responding. I appreciate that.
Deb
Deb, Have you looked into Celebrate Recovery? That's a Christian based 12 Step program vs. OA/AA which is non-religious. I know several women who get a LOT from CR. Here's a link: http://www.celebraterecovery.com/
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best on your journey to find what works for YOU!
Thanks. My pastor has mentioned CR just recently. I'll look into it.
DeleteYou're welcome. Hearing this twice must mean you're being led to CR! Check out this link.........this woman is an awesome writer *Christian based* on the subject of food addiction; she even has a daily devotional book you may like.
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=made+to+crave&sprefix=made+to+crave%2Caps%2C272