~ GOOD DAYS BAD DAYS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Most of the shadows of this life are
caused by standing in one's own
sunshine.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Thank You, God, for always loving and
accepting me right where I am, and
working with me, even when I am not
willing to give You much to work
with. It is so comforting to know that
wherever I am, whether I am willing and
open, or have once again shut myself off
from the Light of Your Spirit, You will
meet me there and provide whatever is
necessary for me to keep on.
Thank You for forgiving me those times
when I am not willing enough to put
forth any effort--some days I just want
to skate, God--some days I just want to
wallow in it. Why else would I resist
changing into what You would have me be?
Some days I am lazy and comfortable just
where I am.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
God, Help me to be willing to reach out
to You, good day or bad. Keep me mindful
that my conscious contact with You makes
even the best day better, and the worst
day tolerable.
Comedores Compulsivos Anonimos ( CCA) é uma Irmandade de indivíduos que, compartilhando experiências e apoio mútuo, estão a recuperar de comer compulsivamente.
Recovery Meditations ~ Positive Thoughts ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 9, 2010
~ OPEN MINDEDNESS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Let go of your attachment to being
right, and suddenly your mind is more
open. You're able to benefit from the
unique viewpoints of others, without
being crippled by your own judgment.
Ralph Marston
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Before joining this program much of my
life was taken up with defending myself
against those who would hurl abuse. I
kept everything and everybody at arm's
length in a bid to protect my
increasingly fragile and sensitive
self-assurance. As time marched on, and
my disease became parasitical, the walls
around me grew higher and isolation drew
me inwards.
Ironically, the fortress I was building
didn’t protect me from myself and I soon
became my own worst enemy. My
self-loathing and my unceasing search
for perfection led me deeper into a
self-induced state of
depression. Keeping everybody out and
locking myself in became an exhausting
exercise.
On entering the 12 Step program I soon
realized that the fortress I had so
carefully built to protect myself
against the outside world was also
preventing any kind of light, warmth and
love from entering in.
As my journey of recovery progressed,
brick by brick the walls came down and
afforded me the nourishment I needed to
blossom and grow. In learning to accept
myself, I found that what others thought
of me paled into insignificance. I
learned that there was a wealth of
experience, strength and hope which
would help me along the journey. I
learned that I could take what I needed
and put down the remainder, without the
resentment, anger, fear or pain, which
previously would have sent me running
for cover.
One Day at a Time . . .
I aim to be willing to keep my mind
open, to accept what I need to continue
my journey, and to leave the rest.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Let go of your attachment to being
right, and suddenly your mind is more
open. You're able to benefit from the
unique viewpoints of others, without
being crippled by your own judgment.
Ralph Marston
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Before joining this program much of my
life was taken up with defending myself
against those who would hurl abuse. I
kept everything and everybody at arm's
length in a bid to protect my
increasingly fragile and sensitive
self-assurance. As time marched on, and
my disease became parasitical, the walls
around me grew higher and isolation drew
me inwards.
Ironically, the fortress I was building
didn’t protect me from myself and I soon
became my own worst enemy. My
self-loathing and my unceasing search
for perfection led me deeper into a
self-induced state of
depression. Keeping everybody out and
locking myself in became an exhausting
exercise.
On entering the 12 Step program I soon
realized that the fortress I had so
carefully built to protect myself
against the outside world was also
preventing any kind of light, warmth and
love from entering in.
As my journey of recovery progressed,
brick by brick the walls came down and
afforded me the nourishment I needed to
blossom and grow. In learning to accept
myself, I found that what others thought
of me paled into insignificance. I
learned that there was a wealth of
experience, strength and hope which
would help me along the journey. I
learned that I could take what I needed
and put down the remainder, without the
resentment, anger, fear or pain, which
previously would have sent me running
for cover.
One Day at a Time . . .
I aim to be willing to keep my mind
open, to accept what I need to continue
my journey, and to leave the rest.
Recovery Meditations ~ Positive Thoughts ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 8, 2011
~ POSITIVE THOUGHTS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"I’ve always believed that you can think
positive just as well as you can think
negative."
James Arthur Baldwin
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
What did I think about before I was in
recovery? I worried about what others
thought of me. I thought of what and
when I could eat next. I picked apart
the way others' bodies looked, while
being jealous of them. I didn't know
that thinking of negative things brought
my energy level down. I thought
self-discipline meant disciplining
myself -- which meant mentally beating
myself up.
My Higher Power has shown me a way of
thinking that was new to me, but is age
old -- positive thoughts. Thinking
positive brings me to a level of
serenity. When my mind wanders, I can
bring it back. When I find myself
obsessing over something negative, I can
work the first three steps with it. I am
powerless over negativity. I have a HP
who can remove it from me. I choose to
let my HP direct my thoughts. And then
let myself to think of something else.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I choose to think positively. The result is serenity.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"I’ve always believed that you can think
positive just as well as you can think
negative."
James Arthur Baldwin
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
What did I think about before I was in
recovery? I worried about what others
thought of me. I thought of what and
when I could eat next. I picked apart
the way others' bodies looked, while
being jealous of them. I didn't know
that thinking of negative things brought
my energy level down. I thought
self-discipline meant disciplining
myself -- which meant mentally beating
myself up.
My Higher Power has shown me a way of
thinking that was new to me, but is age
old -- positive thoughts. Thinking
positive brings me to a level of
serenity. When my mind wanders, I can
bring it back. When I find myself
obsessing over something negative, I can
work the first three steps with it. I am
powerless over negativity. I have a HP
who can remove it from me. I choose to
let my HP direct my thoughts. And then
let myself to think of something else.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I choose to think positively. The result is serenity.
Recovery Meditations ~ Understanding ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 7, 2011
~ UNDERSTANDING ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Understanding is the wellspring of life.
The Bible, Book of Proverbs
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
rly on in my recovery I became aware that understanding myself and my disease was going to be a tool of success. For many years I lived day after day in my addiction, bemoaning it, suffering in it, struggling against it, and adopting the world view of my condition. I came to believe that losing weight was the answer to all my problems ... if I could stick to a diet. Because I couldn't, the thoughts of worthlessness, ignorance, shame and guilt were repeatedly reinforced.
In working the Steps, the idea of recovery through understanding myself was born. Through knowledge of my Higher Power, and by His guidance, the understanding of my past and my present have given me keys to freedom from compulsive overeating. I welcome working the Steps because they have opened doors of my heart to mend the past and receive hope for the future. Understanding who I am and why I'm like I am, allows me to be abstinent and to develop new ways of coping with the stresses of life.
Understanding the disease frees me from guilt and shame and releases self- acceptance.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I continue to seek knowledge and understanding as a way to recovery.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Understanding is the wellspring of life.
The Bible, Book of Proverbs
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
rly on in my recovery I became aware that understanding myself and my disease was going to be a tool of success. For many years I lived day after day in my addiction, bemoaning it, suffering in it, struggling against it, and adopting the world view of my condition. I came to believe that losing weight was the answer to all my problems ... if I could stick to a diet. Because I couldn't, the thoughts of worthlessness, ignorance, shame and guilt were repeatedly reinforced.
In working the Steps, the idea of recovery through understanding myself was born. Through knowledge of my Higher Power, and by His guidance, the understanding of my past and my present have given me keys to freedom from compulsive overeating. I welcome working the Steps because they have opened doors of my heart to mend the past and receive hope for the future. Understanding who I am and why I'm like I am, allows me to be abstinent and to develop new ways of coping with the stresses of life.
Understanding the disease frees me from guilt and shame and releases self- acceptance.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I continue to seek knowledge and understanding as a way to recovery.
Recovery Meditations ~ Expectations ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 6, 2011
~ EXPECTATIONS ~
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time."
Abraham Lincoln
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Being a rational, logical person I have always worked from the premise that If I did something then the following would be the outcome and maybe in the scientific world that may have been true. But in the real world of relationships and people it certainly doesn't work like that as I have discovered since coming into program. As it says in the Big Book "serenity is inversely proportional to one's expectations" and I know now how true this is. Just recently after having set a boundary with my son I was expecting all sorts of repercussions and imagined him talk me out of my decision and the result was that I lost my serenity and became really anxious. Of course the truth was nowhere like I had imagined and the situation ended very differently from what I had expected. This was a lesson to me once again that things don't turn out the way we expect them to the way they are meant to.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
When I let go of any expectations I have of how a situation is going to turn out, I get to keep my serenity and the situation turns out the way it's supposed to.
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time."
Abraham Lincoln
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Being a rational, logical person I have always worked from the premise that If I did something then the following would be the outcome and maybe in the scientific world that may have been true. But in the real world of relationships and people it certainly doesn't work like that as I have discovered since coming into program. As it says in the Big Book "serenity is inversely proportional to one's expectations" and I know now how true this is. Just recently after having set a boundary with my son I was expecting all sorts of repercussions and imagined him talk me out of my decision and the result was that I lost my serenity and became really anxious. Of course the truth was nowhere like I had imagined and the situation ended very differently from what I had expected. This was a lesson to me once again that things don't turn out the way we expect them to the way they are meant to.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
When I let go of any expectations I have of how a situation is going to turn out, I get to keep my serenity and the situation turns out the way it's supposed to.
Recovery Meditations ~Acceptance ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 5, 2011
~ ACCEPTANCE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.
Doris Mortman
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Through abstinence and recovery, I can begin to accept myself. I can pay attention to my likes and my dislikes as I continue to grow and learn about me. Learning about myself is a new adventure. There are so many layers that have been hidden under years of food abuse and weight obsession. Exploring and discovering the new me requires a lot of acceptance. There are parts of me that I do not like, and there are
also wonderful surprises. By accepting all parts of myself, I am honoring my Higher Power and demonstrating spiritual recovery.
ONE DAY AT A TIME ...
I will accept myself. By learning to accept myself, I will find myself growing in my acceptance of others.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.
Doris Mortman
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Through abstinence and recovery, I can begin to accept myself. I can pay attention to my likes and my dislikes as I continue to grow and learn about me. Learning about myself is a new adventure. There are so many layers that have been hidden under years of food abuse and weight obsession. Exploring and discovering the new me requires a lot of acceptance. There are parts of me that I do not like, and there are
also wonderful surprises. By accepting all parts of myself, I am honoring my Higher Power and demonstrating spiritual recovery.
ONE DAY AT A TIME ...
I will accept myself. By learning to accept myself, I will find myself growing in my acceptance of others.
Recovery Meditations ~ Unconditional Love ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 4, 2011
~ UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves
as well.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I don't think I knew what unconditional love was before I came into the program. After all, I had always felt that my mother had only loved and accepted me conditionally, and that in order for me to receive approval and love from her, I had to be the best at everything I did. I had to be at the top of the class, win prizes for ballet and in general be a credit to her, so that she could bask in the reflected limelight. Perhaps that was only my perception. But as a result, I wrote a script for myself that, in order to be loved, accepted and loveable, I had to excel at everything. I became an overachiever academically, I had to be the best wife, best mother, best cook, in short, the best everything. No wonder I had to eat to cope with all this self-inflicted pressure.
The unconditional love and acceptance I received when I first came into these program rooms was something I had never experienced before. "Let us love you until you can learn to love yourself," they said. This was something totally foreign to me. How could I be loveable when I was fat and bloated? How could they love me when I hated myself for all the secret eating that caused me to feel totally miserable? But love me they did, and that was the beginning of my healing. At one stage fairly early in my recovery, one of my daughters accused me of being so busy going to meetings and doing courses and learning to love myself, that I was too busy to love them. How wrong she was! It was only when I had learned enough self-love and approval of myself, exactly as I was, that I was able to love all my children fully and unconditionally.
I am now able to love and accept all my children exactly as they are. None of them are perfect, as I am not, but they are special in their own right, and I love them for who they are and not for anything they do or don't do.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I practice being warm and accepting of all those I love, as I accept and love myself for being who I am today -- a child of God.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves
as well.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I don't think I knew what unconditional love was before I came into the program. After all, I had always felt that my mother had only loved and accepted me conditionally, and that in order for me to receive approval and love from her, I had to be the best at everything I did. I had to be at the top of the class, win prizes for ballet and in general be a credit to her, so that she could bask in the reflected limelight. Perhaps that was only my perception. But as a result, I wrote a script for myself that, in order to be loved, accepted and loveable, I had to excel at everything. I became an overachiever academically, I had to be the best wife, best mother, best cook, in short, the best everything. No wonder I had to eat to cope with all this self-inflicted pressure.
The unconditional love and acceptance I received when I first came into these program rooms was something I had never experienced before. "Let us love you until you can learn to love yourself," they said. This was something totally foreign to me. How could I be loveable when I was fat and bloated? How could they love me when I hated myself for all the secret eating that caused me to feel totally miserable? But love me they did, and that was the beginning of my healing. At one stage fairly early in my recovery, one of my daughters accused me of being so busy going to meetings and doing courses and learning to love myself, that I was too busy to love them. How wrong she was! It was only when I had learned enough self-love and approval of myself, exactly as I was, that I was able to love all my children fully and unconditionally.
I am now able to love and accept all my children exactly as they are. None of them are perfect, as I am not, but they are special in their own right, and I love them for who they are and not for anything they do or don't do.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I practice being warm and accepting of all those I love, as I accept and love myself for being who I am today -- a child of God.
Recovery Meditations ~ Step One ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 3, 2011
~ STEP ONE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The cause is hidden, but the result is known."
Ovid
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I went to my first meeting and was
told about Step One, that I was to admit
my powerlessness, it was somewhat of a
mystery to me. I thought powerlessness
was weakness. It was obvious that the
result of my compulsive overeating could
be seen by everyone, but to me, I was
not sure that powerlessness was the
answer to the problem. As I kept going
to meetings and listening to people
share about powerlessness, read the
literature, and talked to my sponsor, I
learned that powerlessness was not
weakness. In fact, to admit my
powerlessness, was to connect me to a
power that was greater than I had ever
experienced before in my life.
The paradoxes of the program, such as we
"lose to win" "give to receive" are true
of admitting my powerlessness to find a
greater power. In The Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions of Overeaters
Anonymous on p. 5 it reads, "Later we
discovered that, far from being a
negative factor, the admission of our
powerlessness over food opened the door
to an amazing newfound power." What a
blessing it is to now know that I am
powerless, and have opened the door of a
newfound power through the steps, the
tools and my Higher Power.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will freely admit my powerlessness and gladly open the door to the newfound power in my life.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The cause is hidden, but the result is known."
Ovid
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I went to my first meeting and was
told about Step One, that I was to admit
my powerlessness, it was somewhat of a
mystery to me. I thought powerlessness
was weakness. It was obvious that the
result of my compulsive overeating could
be seen by everyone, but to me, I was
not sure that powerlessness was the
answer to the problem. As I kept going
to meetings and listening to people
share about powerlessness, read the
literature, and talked to my sponsor, I
learned that powerlessness was not
weakness. In fact, to admit my
powerlessness, was to connect me to a
power that was greater than I had ever
experienced before in my life.
The paradoxes of the program, such as we
"lose to win" "give to receive" are true
of admitting my powerlessness to find a
greater power. In The Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions of Overeaters
Anonymous on p. 5 it reads, "Later we
discovered that, far from being a
negative factor, the admission of our
powerlessness over food opened the door
to an amazing newfound power." What a
blessing it is to now know that I am
powerless, and have opened the door of a
newfound power through the steps, the
tools and my Higher Power.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will freely admit my powerlessness and gladly open the door to the newfound power in my life.
Recovery Meditations ~ Helping Others ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 2, 2011
~ HELPING OTHERS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I
shall not live in vain If I can ease one
life the aching or cool one pain or help
one fainting Robin unto his nest again I
shall not live in vain
Emily Dickinson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Somewhere along the way I found myself
to be a caretaker. Injustices, pain,
discrimination, bullying; all these
things affected me deeply. I carried it
too far. It reached a point where I
truly believe I began taking better care
of others than I did myself. Was this
ego? Codependency? Altruism? Or was this
a guiltless way I found to deflect my
own problems, pain, injustices and
needs?
When I was doing my first 4th Step
inventory, I learned something very
important. As my sponsor read over one
"bad thing" I had done after another she
cautioned me to take a broader look at
myself. Finally, she made me do my
entire inventory over and for every 5th
character defect or offense to someone,
I was required to write something good
about myself. She explained that an
inventory is never meant to be focused
on just the bad ... but the good
also. After all, when a store takes
inventory on its products, it counts
bent cans of beans as well as the
perfect cans of beans and crushed boxes
of cereal as well as the perfect ones.
This helped me to see that my life's
purpose was not just to help others but
also to nurture me when my heart was
breaking, to make my own life good and
to have a nest for myself that was safe
and serene. After working the Steps, I
know that I'm not living my life in vain
and I still want to help others as much
as I possibly can, but not to the
detriment of myself ... and certainly
not to keep me from looking at my own
life and my own problems realistically.
ONE DAY AT A TIME...
May I help others who are less fortunate
than I find their way. And let me also
make my own nest as comfortable as it
can be.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I
shall not live in vain If I can ease one
life the aching or cool one pain or help
one fainting Robin unto his nest again I
shall not live in vain
Emily Dickinson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Somewhere along the way I found myself
to be a caretaker. Injustices, pain,
discrimination, bullying; all these
things affected me deeply. I carried it
too far. It reached a point where I
truly believe I began taking better care
of others than I did myself. Was this
ego? Codependency? Altruism? Or was this
a guiltless way I found to deflect my
own problems, pain, injustices and
needs?
When I was doing my first 4th Step
inventory, I learned something very
important. As my sponsor read over one
"bad thing" I had done after another she
cautioned me to take a broader look at
myself. Finally, she made me do my
entire inventory over and for every 5th
character defect or offense to someone,
I was required to write something good
about myself. She explained that an
inventory is never meant to be focused
on just the bad ... but the good
also. After all, when a store takes
inventory on its products, it counts
bent cans of beans as well as the
perfect cans of beans and crushed boxes
of cereal as well as the perfect ones.
This helped me to see that my life's
purpose was not just to help others but
also to nurture me when my heart was
breaking, to make my own life good and
to have a nest for myself that was safe
and serene. After working the Steps, I
know that I'm not living my life in vain
and I still want to help others as much
as I possibly can, but not to the
detriment of myself ... and certainly
not to keep me from looking at my own
life and my own problems realistically.
ONE DAY AT A TIME...
May I help others who are less fortunate
than I find their way. And let me also
make my own nest as comfortable as it
can be.
Recovery Meditations ~ Sharing Our Stories ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 1, 2011
~ SHARING OUR STORIES ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"You leave home to seek your fortune
and, when you get it, you go home and
share it with your family."
Anita Baker
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
For much of my life I tried to be
"Strong." I kept silent about my own
suffering and focused instead on others
people’s needs and how I could help
them. Though I could listen and offer
advice, I lacked empathy and
understanding.
When my stoic, stubborn, and silent
avoidance of my own struggles finally
made my life unmanageable, I entered
recovery. By listening to stories shared
by others, I have been blessed. I have
found that none of us walk this path
alone. We learn from each other and from
the strength of traditions. I have found
empathy.
I came to see that my silence was born
from weakness, not from strength. It was
shame, fear, and pride, which kept me
hiding. Now I find great joy and freedom
in sharing my story with others. I am
particularly grateful to God for the way
He used my story with my Dad.
My crisis not only drove me to seek
help, but it freed my Dad to get help
too. If I had remained silent, not only
would I have been destroyed, but I would
have robbed my Dad of the acceptance and
freedom to admit and seek the help he
needed ~ and that has so profoundly
changed his life.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will recognize that my history and my
current experiences are not to be hidden
in silence. I will share my story with
others.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"You leave home to seek your fortune
and, when you get it, you go home and
share it with your family."
Anita Baker
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
For much of my life I tried to be
"Strong." I kept silent about my own
suffering and focused instead on others
people’s needs and how I could help
them. Though I could listen and offer
advice, I lacked empathy and
understanding.
When my stoic, stubborn, and silent
avoidance of my own struggles finally
made my life unmanageable, I entered
recovery. By listening to stories shared
by others, I have been blessed. I have
found that none of us walk this path
alone. We learn from each other and from
the strength of traditions. I have found
empathy.
I came to see that my silence was born
from weakness, not from strength. It was
shame, fear, and pride, which kept me
hiding. Now I find great joy and freedom
in sharing my story with others. I am
particularly grateful to God for the way
He used my story with my Dad.
My crisis not only drove me to seek
help, but it freed my Dad to get help
too. If I had remained silent, not only
would I have been destroyed, but I would
have robbed my Dad of the acceptance and
freedom to admit and seek the help he
needed ~ and that has so profoundly
changed his life.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will recognize that my history and my
current experiences are not to be hidden
in silence. I will share my story with
others.
Recovery Meditations ~ Goodness ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 30, 2011
~ GOODNESS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Above all, let us never forget that an
act of goodness is in itself an act of
happiness.
Count Maurice Maeterlinck
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
While in the disease, most of the
goodness I tried to do was for ulterior
motives. It was only in recovery that I
learned to give unselfishly and without
strings to help another. In doing so, I
have found happiness beyond measure. I
can create my own happiness in the
service of my Higher Power and other
compulsive overeaters. I can make the
promise of a "new happiness and a new
freedom" come true.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will do acts of goodness.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Above all, let us never forget that an
act of goodness is in itself an act of
happiness.
Count Maurice Maeterlinck
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
While in the disease, most of the
goodness I tried to do was for ulterior
motives. It was only in recovery that I
learned to give unselfishly and without
strings to help another. In doing so, I
have found happiness beyond measure. I
can create my own happiness in the
service of my Higher Power and other
compulsive overeaters. I can make the
promise of a "new happiness and a new
freedom" come true.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will do acts of goodness.
Recovery Meditations ~ Unity ~ One Day At A Time ~ April 29, 2011
~ UNITY ~
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Separate reeds are weak and easily
broken; but bound together they are
strong and hard to tear apart.
The Midrash, Judaic Text
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
For most of my life before coming into
the program, I was a bit of a loner. I
never had a lot of friends, perhaps
because of my feelings of inadequacy,
and was never good at sports, especially
team sports. So I buried myself a lot in
books, in academic achievements at which
I excelled, mainly because I could do
that on my own. I lived in a fantasy
world where a knight in shining armor
would come and rescue me, and my life
would then be perfect. I had never even
had a serious long-term relationship
until I met my first husband, so it was
hardly surprising that I made a bad
choice and after having three children
and much heartache, got divorced.
When I first came into program, it was
the first time I had ever felt part of a
big group, and most importantly they all
spoke my language. Their experiences
were my experiences. These wonderful
people became my family. There was, and
still is, for me an incredible sense of
belonging in the fellowship. No longer
do I have to brave it on my own as there
will always be someone on the other end
of the line or in a meeting who can
identify and share with me what I am
going through. The strength that I feel
when I come into the meeting rooms or
speak to a fellow member on the phone is
a powerful sustaining force for me that
has helped me through countless
difficult situations and continues to do
so.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I only need to reach out and join hands with others in the fellowship to gain the strength to do things I could never do before. It is only with their help, support and love that I am fully able to recover.
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Separate reeds are weak and easily
broken; but bound together they are
strong and hard to tear apart.
The Midrash, Judaic Text
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
For most of my life before coming into
the program, I was a bit of a loner. I
never had a lot of friends, perhaps
because of my feelings of inadequacy,
and was never good at sports, especially
team sports. So I buried myself a lot in
books, in academic achievements at which
I excelled, mainly because I could do
that on my own. I lived in a fantasy
world where a knight in shining armor
would come and rescue me, and my life
would then be perfect. I had never even
had a serious long-term relationship
until I met my first husband, so it was
hardly surprising that I made a bad
choice and after having three children
and much heartache, got divorced.
When I first came into program, it was
the first time I had ever felt part of a
big group, and most importantly they all
spoke my language. Their experiences
were my experiences. These wonderful
people became my family. There was, and
still is, for me an incredible sense of
belonging in the fellowship. No longer
do I have to brave it on my own as there
will always be someone on the other end
of the line or in a meeting who can
identify and share with me what I am
going through. The strength that I feel
when I come into the meeting rooms or
speak to a fellow member on the phone is
a powerful sustaining force for me that
has helped me through countless
difficult situations and continues to do
so.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I only need to reach out and join hands with others in the fellowship to gain the strength to do things I could never do before. It is only with their help, support and love that I am fully able to recover.
Recovery Meditations ~ God of my understanding ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 28, 2011
~ GOD OF MY UNDERSTANDING ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us."
John Lennon
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Like many people, I originally came to Program primarily seeking help with my compulsive overeating. My main concern was to gain control of my weight and my appetite. I was expecting some kind of diet program, but I found something quite different. I already considered myself religious and didn't think I needed much help in this area. I also wasn't particularly interested in working on my shortcomings, but I was willing to
overlook these "problem" areas of Program because I was so desperate for help.
Well, I did get my weight and appetite under control, but I got much more than that. Program's concept of being able to work with a God of my own understanding may have been the most radical and
personally-enlightening theological tidbit I've ever had the pleasure of tripping over. It changed everything I thought I knew about spirituality and God. Through this shift in my understanding, my Higher Power began to
change me and help me with my COE by gradually removing all of my past baggage and encumbrances. Even though I've now reached my recovery goals, my purification continues daily, as does my spiritual growth. I went searching for a diet that actually worked and instead found a whole new way of life. Whoda thunk?
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will continue to nurture my relationship with the God Of MY Understanding by working the tools of recovery.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us."
John Lennon
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Like many people, I originally came to Program primarily seeking help with my compulsive overeating. My main concern was to gain control of my weight and my appetite. I was expecting some kind of diet program, but I found something quite different. I already considered myself religious and didn't think I needed much help in this area. I also wasn't particularly interested in working on my shortcomings, but I was willing to
overlook these "problem" areas of Program because I was so desperate for help.
Well, I did get my weight and appetite under control, but I got much more than that. Program's concept of being able to work with a God of my own understanding may have been the most radical and
personally-enlightening theological tidbit I've ever had the pleasure of tripping over. It changed everything I thought I knew about spirituality and God. Through this shift in my understanding, my Higher Power began to
change me and help me with my COE by gradually removing all of my past baggage and encumbrances. Even though I've now reached my recovery goals, my purification continues daily, as does my spiritual growth. I went searching for a diet that actually worked and instead found a whole new way of life. Whoda thunk?
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will continue to nurture my relationship with the God Of MY Understanding by working the tools of recovery.
Recovery Meditations ~ Relationships ~ One Day At A Time ~ April 27, 2011
~ RELATIONSHIPS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
And let there be no purpose in
friendship save the deepening of Spirit.
Kahlil Gibran
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
My initial experience of relationships
in recovery was one of wonder and
relief. I was so amazed to find that
there actually were other people who
understood life as I lived it! Until I
walked into the rooms of recovery, I
felt so alone and different from other
people. Finding people who had also
lived the night- mare of compulsive
eating, helped my isolation fade
away. Seeing that they had found a new
way of living gave me hope!!
As I began to share more deeply with my
sponsor and other people in recovery, I
discovered a deeper gift of friendship
in recovery. I received unconditional
love and focused guidance toward the
steps of recovery which would transform
me completely. This was the greatest
gift of relationship that I had ever
known. This was the beginning of the
transformation that invited me to share
the Spirit of recovery with others.
As I carry the principles of recovery
into all aspects of my life, I find my
relationships with all people are
transformed. My character defects no
longer stand in the way of my honesty,
and fear no longer holds me
prisoner. The Spirit of recovery which
has been so generously shared with me,
continues to be shared joyously through
me.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be carried by the Spirit of recovery into all of my relationships.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
And let there be no purpose in
friendship save the deepening of Spirit.
Kahlil Gibran
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
My initial experience of relationships
in recovery was one of wonder and
relief. I was so amazed to find that
there actually were other people who
understood life as I lived it! Until I
walked into the rooms of recovery, I
felt so alone and different from other
people. Finding people who had also
lived the night- mare of compulsive
eating, helped my isolation fade
away. Seeing that they had found a new
way of living gave me hope!!
As I began to share more deeply with my
sponsor and other people in recovery, I
discovered a deeper gift of friendship
in recovery. I received unconditional
love and focused guidance toward the
steps of recovery which would transform
me completely. This was the greatest
gift of relationship that I had ever
known. This was the beginning of the
transformation that invited me to share
the Spirit of recovery with others.
As I carry the principles of recovery
into all aspects of my life, I find my
relationships with all people are
transformed. My character defects no
longer stand in the way of my honesty,
and fear no longer holds me
prisoner. The Spirit of recovery which
has been so generously shared with me,
continues to be shared joyously through
me.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be carried by the Spirit of recovery into all of my relationships.
Recovery Meditations ~ Pain ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 26, 2011
~ PAIN ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.
Kahlil Gibran
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
How many of us in recovery thought we
were in pain before seeking help, only
to find out recovery itself was more
painful? I know that is how my progress
in Twelve Step recovery, especially from
compulsive eating, has
been. Fortunately, pain in recovery
doesn't break my spirit as it did before
I started working the Twelve Steps.
Now, through recovery, the walls that I
had built around my inner spirit for
protection are being slowly broken down
and moved away.
This changing and renewing of my inner
self is extremely painful at times, and
if I didn't have the tools of the
program such as sponsorship, a food
plan, working the Steps and conscious
contact with my Higher Power, there
would be no understanding born out of
the pain. Before recovery, the pain
would start to fill my inner shell with
self-pity, self-disgust, and
despair. Now when the pain comes to me,
I've slowly learned to embrace it, and
hold it close to my heart. This new pain
means that I will be shown by my Higher
Power the insight and understanding
needed for me to continue this daily
recovery process. Does this mean I am
filled with joy as I see the pain
coming? Absolutely not! This means that
I now have a power greater than myself
to shield me from pain that would break
me. After feeling the pain needed to
give me understanding, I am given
healing to continue my journey. One day
at a time... I will seek to feel and
face the pain on this journey, knowing
that understanding and healing will
follow through my Higher Power's hand.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will seek to feel and face the pain on this journey, knowing that understanding and healing will follow through my Higher Power's hand.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.
Kahlil Gibran
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
How many of us in recovery thought we
were in pain before seeking help, only
to find out recovery itself was more
painful? I know that is how my progress
in Twelve Step recovery, especially from
compulsive eating, has
been. Fortunately, pain in recovery
doesn't break my spirit as it did before
I started working the Twelve Steps.
Now, through recovery, the walls that I
had built around my inner spirit for
protection are being slowly broken down
and moved away.
This changing and renewing of my inner
self is extremely painful at times, and
if I didn't have the tools of the
program such as sponsorship, a food
plan, working the Steps and conscious
contact with my Higher Power, there
would be no understanding born out of
the pain. Before recovery, the pain
would start to fill my inner shell with
self-pity, self-disgust, and
despair. Now when the pain comes to me,
I've slowly learned to embrace it, and
hold it close to my heart. This new pain
means that I will be shown by my Higher
Power the insight and understanding
needed for me to continue this daily
recovery process. Does this mean I am
filled with joy as I see the pain
coming? Absolutely not! This means that
I now have a power greater than myself
to shield me from pain that would break
me. After feeling the pain needed to
give me understanding, I am given
healing to continue my journey. One day
at a time... I will seek to feel and
face the pain on this journey, knowing
that understanding and healing will
follow through my Higher Power's hand.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will seek to feel and face the pain on this journey, knowing that understanding and healing will follow through my Higher Power's hand.
Recovery Meditations ~ Understanding ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 25, 2011
~ UNDERSTANDING ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Understanding is the wellspring of life.
The Bible, Book of Proverbs
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Early on in my recovery I became aware
that understanding myself and my disease
was going to be a tool of success. For
many years I lived day after day in my
addiction, bemoaning it, suffering in
it, struggling against it, and adopting
the world view of my condition. I came
to believe that losing weight was the
answer to all my problems ... if I could
stick to a diet. Because I couldn't, the
thoughts of worthlessness, ignorance,
shame and guilt were repeatedly
reinforced.
In working the Steps, the idea of
recovery through understanding myself
was born. Through knowledge of my
Higher Power, and by His guidance, the
understanding of my past and my present
have given me keys to freedom from
compulsive overeating. I welcome working
the Steps because they have opened doors
of my heart to mend the past and receive
hope for the future. Understanding who I
am and why I'm like I am, allows me to
be abstinent and to develop new ways of
coping with the stresses of life.
Understanding the disease frees me from
guilt and shame and releases self-
acceptance.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I continue to seek knowledge and understanding as a way to recovery.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Understanding is the wellspring of life.
The Bible, Book of Proverbs
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Early on in my recovery I became aware
that understanding myself and my disease
was going to be a tool of success. For
many years I lived day after day in my
addiction, bemoaning it, suffering in
it, struggling against it, and adopting
the world view of my condition. I came
to believe that losing weight was the
answer to all my problems ... if I could
stick to a diet. Because I couldn't, the
thoughts of worthlessness, ignorance,
shame and guilt were repeatedly
reinforced.
In working the Steps, the idea of
recovery through understanding myself
was born. Through knowledge of my
Higher Power, and by His guidance, the
understanding of my past and my present
have given me keys to freedom from
compulsive overeating. I welcome working
the Steps because they have opened doors
of my heart to mend the past and receive
hope for the future. Understanding who I
am and why I'm like I am, allows me to
be abstinent and to develop new ways of
coping with the stresses of life.
Understanding the disease frees me from
guilt and shame and releases self-
acceptance.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I continue to seek knowledge and understanding as a way to recovery.
Recovery Meditations ~ Loneliness ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 24, 2011
~ LONELINESS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Feeling our loneliness magnifies it.
Understanding our loneliness can open
doors into our self-awareness, which we
long for and need.
Anthony Robbins
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Before I found my Twelve Step program, I
felt so lonely. I was stuck in total
isolation and the feeling of loneliness
felt one hundred times worse. The
isolation and loneliness caused me to
continually eat ... and so I'd isolate
more. What a vicious cycle!
When I found my recovery program, I
still wanted to isolate. When going to
meetings, I wanted the seat with nobody
around it. I didn't want to open my
mouth to share or talk, even after the
meeting. I kept coming back even though
I felt alone, because I heard familiar
things that really interested me. I
eventually saw that most of the people
in the room felt the same loneliness I
did. I began to understand why I felt so
lonely.
When I understood that my compulsive
eating was causing me to isolate and be
more lonely, a big burden was lifted off
my shoulders. I finally felt some hope!
Then I found that there were many other
doors in the past that I should open and
become more aware of. These past
happenings were what started and fueled
this disease of compulsive eating. I
wanted to know but I was also afraid to
find out.
The similarities, kindness and love I
found in the rooms made it easier to
look at my past. Understanding that I
was not the total reason for my
loneliness, I began making amends. I
needed to forgive others who had harmed
me and those I had harmed. I felt
lighter and more self aware, and
confidence began to emerge.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will remember that it's okay and good
to feel my feelings but they don't have
to rule my life. I don't have to let
loneliness magnify, causing me to eat
uncontrollably to solve the
problem. I've learned to turn things
over to my Higher Power and to let them
go. Looking back is the key to my self-
awareness and my recovery.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Feeling our loneliness magnifies it.
Understanding our loneliness can open
doors into our self-awareness, which we
long for and need.
Anthony Robbins
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Before I found my Twelve Step program, I
felt so lonely. I was stuck in total
isolation and the feeling of loneliness
felt one hundred times worse. The
isolation and loneliness caused me to
continually eat ... and so I'd isolate
more. What a vicious cycle!
When I found my recovery program, I
still wanted to isolate. When going to
meetings, I wanted the seat with nobody
around it. I didn't want to open my
mouth to share or talk, even after the
meeting. I kept coming back even though
I felt alone, because I heard familiar
things that really interested me. I
eventually saw that most of the people
in the room felt the same loneliness I
did. I began to understand why I felt so
lonely.
When I understood that my compulsive
eating was causing me to isolate and be
more lonely, a big burden was lifted off
my shoulders. I finally felt some hope!
Then I found that there were many other
doors in the past that I should open and
become more aware of. These past
happenings were what started and fueled
this disease of compulsive eating. I
wanted to know but I was also afraid to
find out.
The similarities, kindness and love I
found in the rooms made it easier to
look at my past. Understanding that I
was not the total reason for my
loneliness, I began making amends. I
needed to forgive others who had harmed
me and those I had harmed. I felt
lighter and more self aware, and
confidence began to emerge.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will remember that it's okay and good
to feel my feelings but they don't have
to rule my life. I don't have to let
loneliness magnify, causing me to eat
uncontrollably to solve the
problem. I've learned to turn things
over to my Higher Power and to let them
go. Looking back is the key to my self-
awareness and my recovery.
Recovery Meditations ~ Birthright ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 23, 2011
~ BIRTHRIGHT ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I've continued to recognize the power
individuals have to change virtually
anything and everything in their lives
in an instant. I've learned that the
resources we need to turn our dreams
into reality are within us, merely
waiting for the day when we decide to
wake up and claim our birthright.
Anthony Robbins
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I have divine origins because I am part
of my Higher Power. Whether I see my
Higher Power as a male, female or
neither; no matter if I experience my
Higher Power as a Heavenly Parent, a
Divine Friend, or a Great Spirit;
whether I find my Higher Power in a
temple, in the mountains, or in my
child's eyes ... I am connected to
something greater than myself, my
problems, and my fears. The who, what,
where, when, and how of my Higher Power
are not important. I don't have to
completely understand HP because my HP
understands me.
I have been endowed with all the things
I need to be successful in recovery and
in life. All I have to do is step up and
claim them. I have intellect, I have
emotion, and I have a spirit. All of
those things have a direct line to my
Higher Power. What I can't yet access is
given to me as a gift when I claim my
divine birthright by simply saying, "I
can't. You can. I think I'll let You."
What greater power is there than to give
our power to our Higher Power? Knowing
when I can't do it alone is a gift!
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will remember I come from royalty. I will remember my divine birthright and step up to claim it. Today I will not sell my divine birthright for a mess of pottage.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I've continued to recognize the power
individuals have to change virtually
anything and everything in their lives
in an instant. I've learned that the
resources we need to turn our dreams
into reality are within us, merely
waiting for the day when we decide to
wake up and claim our birthright.
Anthony Robbins
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
I have divine origins because I am part
of my Higher Power. Whether I see my
Higher Power as a male, female or
neither; no matter if I experience my
Higher Power as a Heavenly Parent, a
Divine Friend, or a Great Spirit;
whether I find my Higher Power in a
temple, in the mountains, or in my
child's eyes ... I am connected to
something greater than myself, my
problems, and my fears. The who, what,
where, when, and how of my Higher Power
are not important. I don't have to
completely understand HP because my HP
understands me.
I have been endowed with all the things
I need to be successful in recovery and
in life. All I have to do is step up and
claim them. I have intellect, I have
emotion, and I have a spirit. All of
those things have a direct line to my
Higher Power. What I can't yet access is
given to me as a gift when I claim my
divine birthright by simply saying, "I
can't. You can. I think I'll let You."
What greater power is there than to give
our power to our Higher Power? Knowing
when I can't do it alone is a gift!
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will remember I come from royalty. I will remember my divine birthright and step up to claim it. Today I will not sell my divine birthright for a mess of pottage.
Recovery Meditations ~ Compulsions ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 22, 2011
~ COMPULSIONS ~
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Compulsive urges to overeat, gorge or
purge are inadequate coping mechanisms.
Compulsion is loss of control and
continuation of the behavior despite the
consequences.
Gloria Arenson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Compulsive overeating is not a moral
dilemma; it is not a right or wrong; nor
is it a black and white event. I learned
at a pre-verbal stage that compulsive
overeating is a coping mechanism. When I
cried to be held, I was fed; when I
cried because I was wet, I was fed; when
I cried because I was in pain, I was
fed; when life was good, I was fed. Is
it any wonder I reach for food when life
is happening around me?
This program teaches me different ways
to cope with life. The Steps teach me
how to act on life rather than react to
it. I did not choose this disease, but I
do choose recovery. Through the help of
my Higher Power, the program, and other
program members I can recover. I can
live in the solution one day at a time
and one meal at a time.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will have a program. I choose recovery, health, love and life.
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Compulsive urges to overeat, gorge or
purge are inadequate coping mechanisms.
Compulsion is loss of control and
continuation of the behavior despite the
consequences.
Gloria Arenson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Compulsive overeating is not a moral
dilemma; it is not a right or wrong; nor
is it a black and white event. I learned
at a pre-verbal stage that compulsive
overeating is a coping mechanism. When I
cried to be held, I was fed; when I
cried because I was wet, I was fed; when
I cried because I was in pain, I was
fed; when life was good, I was fed. Is
it any wonder I reach for food when life
is happening around me?
This program teaches me different ways
to cope with life. The Steps teach me
how to act on life rather than react to
it. I did not choose this disease, but I
do choose recovery. Through the help of
my Higher Power, the program, and other
program members I can recover. I can
live in the solution one day at a time
and one meal at a time.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will have a program. I choose recovery, health, love and life.
Recovery Meditations ~ Religion ~ One Day at a Time ~ April 21, 2011
~ 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.
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
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.
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