~ HONESTY ~
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"Whatever games are played with us, we
must play no games with ourselves, but
deal in our privacy with the last
honesty and truth."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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When I began to study step one in OA I
learned that the principle behind the
step was honesty. That was difficult for
me because I had spent so much time
lying to myself and others about my
eating. I was so ashamed of my eating
habits and behaviors that when asked
about them, it never occurred to me to
tell the truth. I couldn't conceive of
being accepted, or even cared for, if
anyone knew the truth.
Then I came into the program and began
to hear people share. The denial and
shell of lies began to melt. For the
first time I found myself in a
fellowship where I felt like I could
tell the truth because I was surrounded
by people whose stories were similar to
mine. Most importantly, the people in
the fellowship loved me and cared for me
when I told my truth, no matter how ugly
it seemed to me. I call this the magic
of the fellowship. It makes me want to
be that kind of loving, caring person
for the newcomer taking his or her first
step.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will honestly confront the reality of
my compulsive eating, knowing that I am
in a fellowship where I am
unconditionally loved and cared for.