BEETHOVEN & JOY
Life is no brief candle to me.
It is a sort of splendid torch which
I have got hold of for the moment, and
want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
~ George Bernard Shaw
It is a sort of splendid torch which
I have got hold of for the moment, and
want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
~ George Bernard Shaw
For many years my life was filled with pain and I felt totally empty inside. I did what I had to do for my children and for the people around me, but with a heavy heart, and life seemed to be one endless day after the other. What had happened to all the dreams and hopes I had for a life filled with joy and happiness? Sometimes the pain got to be so great that life just didn't seem to be worthwhile any more. At times I even contemplated ending my life. I have often heard it said that the opposite of pain is joy but in those dark days, I certainly couldn't see that.
It is only in recovery that I see that the pain had a meaning, and it has brought me to a great appreciation of all the miracles in my life. I can appreciate the beauty in nature, and for the first time in a very long time my soul is filled with joy. When I listen to Beethoven's glorious Ninth Symphony with its last movement, the choral piece set to the poet Schiller's "Ode to Joy", I begin to realize that one can create something truly wondrous out of one's pain and suffering. Beethoven wrote this magnificent work shortly before his death, when he was in tremendous emotional pain and totally deaf. Yet he created this truly amazing piece of music that lives on nearly 200 years after his death, and will probably do so for many years to come.
I now realize that there was a reason for my suffering and if, out of that, I can bring some joy or happiness to others, then my life will have had some purpose. It is only through this fellowship that I have been able to see that.
It is only in recovery that I see that the pain had a meaning, and it has brought me to a great appreciation of all the miracles in my life. I can appreciate the beauty in nature, and for the first time in a very long time my soul is filled with joy. When I listen to Beethoven's glorious Ninth Symphony with its last movement, the choral piece set to the poet Schiller's "Ode to Joy", I begin to realize that one can create something truly wondrous out of one's pain and suffering. Beethoven wrote this magnificent work shortly before his death, when he was in tremendous emotional pain and totally deaf. Yet he created this truly amazing piece of music that lives on nearly 200 years after his death, and will probably do so for many years to come.
I now realize that there was a reason for my suffering and if, out of that, I can bring some joy or happiness to others, then my life will have had some purpose. It is only through this fellowship that I have been able to see that.
One Day at a Time . . .
I will always remember that my pain has been a growing experience that enables me to share what I have learned with other fellow sufferers. I can now appreciate all the miracles that my Higher Power performs in my life, and I am now truly able to experience joy.
I will always remember that my pain has been a growing experience that enables me to share what I have learned with other fellow sufferers. I can now appreciate all the miracles that my Higher Power performs in my life, and I am now truly able to experience joy.
The way to do is to be."
Lao Tzu
(Sixth century B.C. philosopher who began the philosophy of Taoism)
Lao Tzu
(Sixth century B.C. philosopher who began the philosophy of Taoism)
It is not until we can let ourselves be who we really are that we can recognize who we REALLY are!
In recovery I have learned it is by embracing myself as I am today that I will become increasingly aware of my true identity. It is not by denial or pretended "goodness" that the Truth is revealed, but by acceptance and humility. This is one of the many gifts of recovery ... we no longer have to "wait until."
This program tells us we can be happy and free now. HERE AND NOW! But, my ego-mind gives me a different message. It says, "You can be happy, joyous and free when you lose the weight, get your health back, get that job, marry that prince, receive the next degree, and on and on. In other words, "You must wait and wait and wait, and maybe someday you'll be good enough. Then you can be happy." Our ego keeps us in pursuit of the elusive happiness it promises.
One Day at a Time ...In recovery I have learned it is by embracing myself as I am today that I will become increasingly aware of my true identity. It is not by denial or pretended "goodness" that the Truth is revealed, but by acceptance and humility. This is one of the many gifts of recovery ... we no longer have to "wait until."
This program tells us we can be happy and free now. HERE AND NOW! But, my ego-mind gives me a different message. It says, "You can be happy, joyous and free when you lose the weight, get your health back, get that job, marry that prince, receive the next degree, and on and on. In other words, "You must wait and wait and wait, and maybe someday you'll be good enough. Then you can be happy." Our ego keeps us in pursuit of the elusive happiness it promises.
I choose to be happy ... I choose joy.
Daily Meditations
The program is not meant to be worked alone, and many OA members attribute their progress to the fact that someone took a special interest in them.
Daily Meditations
Far from being a negative factor,
the admission of our powerlessness over food
opens the door to an amazing newfound power.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous (p. 5)
Step Two
In Step Two, we learn hope as we come to believe
that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous (p. 104)
Daily Meditations
In Step One, we learn the principle of honesty
as we admit our personal powerlessness over food…
that without help we cannot successfully manage our own lives.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous (p. 103)
Recovery Meditations ~ Fear ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 24, 2011
~ FEAR ~
What I have always feared has happened to me.
What I have dreaded has come to be.
The Bible, Book of Job
Recovery Meditations ~ Limitations ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 20, 2011
LIMITATIONS
"You cannot help men permanently
by doing for them
what they could and should do for themselves."
Abraham Lincoln
Recovery Meditations ~ Live and let live~ One Day at a Time ~ October 19, 2011
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/liveandletlive.html
Live and Let Live
“If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house
with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.”
Henry David Thoreau
Recovery Meditations ~ Looking for love ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 18, 2011
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/lookingforlove.html
Looking for Love
“The most important thing in life
is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
Morrie Schwartz
Recovery Meditations ~ Self-sabotage~ One Day at a Time ~ October 17, 2011
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/selfsabotage.html
Self-sabotage
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur
when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled.
For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort,
that we are likely to step out of our ruts
and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
M. Scott Peck
15 QUESTÕES IMPORTANTES QUANDO SE ENCONTRA OS ADICTOS À COMIDA ANÓNIMOS
http://www.oaregion9.org/about-oa/15-questions-for-a-newcomer/
Do you have a problem with food?
Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous. This series of questions may help you determine if you are a compulsive overeater.
If so, it is probable that you have or are well on your way to having a compulsive overeating problem. We have found that the way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the the twelve step recovery program of Overeaters Anonymous.
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.
Is OA for You?
Only you can decide that question. No one else can make this decision for you. We who are now in OA have found a way of life which enables us to live without the need for excess food. We believe that compulsive overeating is a progressive illness, one that, like alcoholism and some other illnesses, can be arrested. Remember, there is no shame in admitting you have a problem; the most important thing is to do something about it.
Do you have a problem with food?
Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous. This series of questions may help you determine if you are a compulsive overeater.
- Do you eat when you’re not hungry?
- Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
- Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
- Do you give too much time and thought to food?
- Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
- Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
- Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
- Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
- Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal?
- Do you resent others telling you to “use a little willpower” to stop overeating?
- Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet “on your own” whenever you wish?
- Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
- Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
- Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition?
- Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?
If so, it is probable that you have or are well on your way to having a compulsive overeating problem. We have found that the way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the the twelve step recovery program of Overeaters Anonymous.
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.
Only you can decide that question. No one else can make this decision for you. We who are now in OA have found a way of life which enables us to live without the need for excess food. We believe that compulsive overeating is a progressive illness, one that, like alcoholism and some other illnesses, can be arrested. Remember, there is no shame in admitting you have a problem; the most important thing is to do something about it.
Recovery Meditations ~ Honesty ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 13, 2011
~ HONESTY ~
"Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom."
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/october.html
"Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom."
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/october.html
Recovery Meditations ~ Oct 12, 2011
People like me are fortunate that ours is not a religious program; rather, it is a spiritual program.
Seeking the Spiritual Path (p. 111)
http://www.oa.org/meditations3.php
http://bookstore.oa.org/products/978-seeking-the-spiritual-path
Seeking the Spiritual Path (p. 111)
http://www.oa.org/meditations3.php
http://bookstore.oa.org/products/978-seeking-the-spiritual-path
Recovery Meditations ~ Faith ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 11, 2011
~ FAITH ~
"Faith is not belief. Belief is passive.
Faith is active."
Edith Hamilton
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/faith1.html
"Faith is not belief. Belief is passive.
Faith is active."
Edith Hamilton
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/faith1.html
Recovery Meditations ~ Tolerance ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 10, 2011
~ TOLERANCE ~
"I have learned silence from the talkative,
toleration from the intolerant,
and kindness from the unkind;
yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers."
Khalil Gibran
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