~ THE TITANIC ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Men at some time are masters of their fates."
William Shakespeare
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Our early days in OA can be compared to
being a passenger on the Titanic. As we
took our beloved and
wonderfully-powerful first three steps,
we were taking a voyage. In Step One we
realized we were on the Titanic and that
we were doomed. In Step Two we spotted a
lifeboat. And in Step Three we took our
seat in the lifeboat.
My voyage began with Step One when I
realized the connection between some
health issues I had last year and the
weight I was carrying. I had developed
"pitting edema" in both ankles. That,
along with other symptoms I had, was a
sign of congestive heart failure. I was
on the Titanic! I had lived all of my
life filled with resentments and
negative thinking which ate my very
being. I had lost much of my spiritual
strength and was in need of spiritual
renewal. I was indeed a passenger on my
own personal Titanic.
My voyage continued with Step Two. I
can't even remember the circumstances of
how I found The Recovery Group online,
but I know that my Higher Power must
have brought me here. Though I didn't
believe then what the fellowship said in
the meetings, I "acted as if" I believed
my Higher Power could relieve me of
these horrible compulsions to overeat
and to live in resentments and
negativity. That was all it took. I had
spotted the lifeboat and was "acting as
if" I believed it had come for me.
I was being changed. My early days of
abstinence were difficult, but
achievable. I had gotten into the
lifeboat. I don't remember where I was
in the steps, or when it happened, but I
will always remember where I was when I
suddenly realized that God had relieved
me of the compulsion to eat between
meals and to eat at night. That
realization had a huge impact on
me. That day I took my seat on the
lifeboat. I have been blessed with so
much recovery. This ride I am on in this
lifeboat isn't a free ride; it requires
that I work this program on a daily
basis. But when I consider the
alternative, I love the ride I am on,
and I truly cherish the other passengers
I am sharing this boat with!
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will cherish the lifeboat that this program has given me.
Comedores Compulsivos Anonimos ( CCA) é uma Irmandade de indivíduos que, compartilhando experiências e apoio mútuo, estão a recuperar de comer compulsivamente.
Recovery Meditations ~ Higher Power ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 29, 2011
~ HIGHER POWER ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Think not because no man sees, such
things will remain unseen."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Recently at a meeting I heard a person
share that they weren't sure that the
program would work for them because they
did not believe in God. They were very
distressed. I wanted to get out the Big
Book and quote to them from page 47,
"When, therefore, we speak to you of
God, we mean your own conception of
God. This applies too, to other
spiritual expressions which you find in
this book. Do not let any prejudice you
may have against spiritual terms deter
you from honestly asking yourself what
they mean to you. At the start this was
all we needed to commence spiritual
growth, to effect our first conscious
relation with God as we understood Him."
Many of us have a problem with God in
the beginning of our program. We may be
atheists, agnostics, or simply have had
bad experiences regarding God or His/Her
people. We can choose the group, or the
Higher Power of another, to be our
Higher Power until we are able to begin,
bit-by-bit, to define and establish a
relationship with our own Higher
Power. I know that when I came into the
program I was very angry with God. I
used the group as my Higher Power at
first. Then I used my sponsor's God of
her understanding as my Higher Power
because He was so loving and full of
grace. We had many talks about her
God. This helped me greatly until I was
able to reconnect to my relationship
with the God of my understanding. Today
I have a full, rich and intimate
relationship with my God.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be tolerant of others' conception
of their Higher Power and will continue
to grow in my relationship with the God
of my understanding.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Think not because no man sees, such
things will remain unseen."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Recently at a meeting I heard a person
share that they weren't sure that the
program would work for them because they
did not believe in God. They were very
distressed. I wanted to get out the Big
Book and quote to them from page 47,
"When, therefore, we speak to you of
God, we mean your own conception of
God. This applies too, to other
spiritual expressions which you find in
this book. Do not let any prejudice you
may have against spiritual terms deter
you from honestly asking yourself what
they mean to you. At the start this was
all we needed to commence spiritual
growth, to effect our first conscious
relation with God as we understood Him."
Many of us have a problem with God in
the beginning of our program. We may be
atheists, agnostics, or simply have had
bad experiences regarding God or His/Her
people. We can choose the group, or the
Higher Power of another, to be our
Higher Power until we are able to begin,
bit-by-bit, to define and establish a
relationship with our own Higher
Power. I know that when I came into the
program I was very angry with God. I
used the group as my Higher Power at
first. Then I used my sponsor's God of
her understanding as my Higher Power
because He was so loving and full of
grace. We had many talks about her
God. This helped me greatly until I was
able to reconnect to my relationship
with the God of my understanding. Today
I have a full, rich and intimate
relationship with my God.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be tolerant of others' conception
of their Higher Power and will continue
to grow in my relationship with the God
of my understanding.
Recovery Meditations ~ Serenity ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 28, 2011
~ SERENITY ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amid the storm."
Anonymous Quote
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Why is serenity so important to our
recovery? Because darkness cannotexist
where there is light! If we can maintain
a serene state of mind as established
through our faith in HP and the BB
Promises, negative emotions and
behaviour will have no power over
us. Stress, fear, compulsiveness,
obsessiveness, resentment, guilt, shame,
willfulness, doubt, distrust, greed and
envy, have no power over a mind that is
kept in serene repose. Serenity allows
us to see situations clearly and
makewise decisions. Most importantly, by
maintaining a serene mind, we keep the
door to our High Power open.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will face each challenge with grace and serenity.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amid the storm."
Anonymous Quote
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Why is serenity so important to our
recovery? Because darkness cannotexist
where there is light! If we can maintain
a serene state of mind as established
through our faith in HP and the BB
Promises, negative emotions and
behaviour will have no power over
us. Stress, fear, compulsiveness,
obsessiveness, resentment, guilt, shame,
willfulness, doubt, distrust, greed and
envy, have no power over a mind that is
kept in serene repose. Serenity allows
us to see situations clearly and
makewise decisions. Most importantly, by
maintaining a serene mind, we keep the
door to our High Power open.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will face each challenge with grace and serenity.
Recovery Meditations ~ Balance ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 27, 2011
~ BALANCE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"I've learned that you can't have everything ...
and do everything ...at the same time."
Oprah Winfrey
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Learning about balance has been a
struggle throughout my life; both as an
addict and as a mother, friend, lover,
sister... and woman. I'm not sure if it
is my addiction that causes me to be
over-zealous when it comes to giving too
much to too many, or if my desire for
love has manifested my addiction out of
a need to feel full and satisfied. For
me, finding that spot where a
relationship is comfortable and not
one-sided, where work is just 'work' and
not all that nourishes my life... where
school is an enhancement and not a
crutch for hiding and isolating, is a
hard place to for me to find. I see
patterns within my life where I
consistently struggle for harmony and
balance. Why isn't one of anything
enough? No matter what it is that is in
my life; relationships, work, eating,
shopping, I have to work at managing
balance so that things flow at the right
pace, otherwise, my entire life is off
kilter.
But today, I don't need to struggle. I
don't need to overdo my relationships or
my work. I can do just one thing and
know that the rest will be there
tomorrow. Today I have the gifts that
have been given to me to manage my life.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I pray that God will help me to manage and balance my life so that I can do a good job with all things, especially living.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"I've learned that you can't have everything ...
and do everything ...at the same time."
Oprah Winfrey
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Learning about balance has been a
struggle throughout my life; both as an
addict and as a mother, friend, lover,
sister... and woman. I'm not sure if it
is my addiction that causes me to be
over-zealous when it comes to giving too
much to too many, or if my desire for
love has manifested my addiction out of
a need to feel full and satisfied. For
me, finding that spot where a
relationship is comfortable and not
one-sided, where work is just 'work' and
not all that nourishes my life... where
school is an enhancement and not a
crutch for hiding and isolating, is a
hard place to for me to find. I see
patterns within my life where I
consistently struggle for harmony and
balance. Why isn't one of anything
enough? No matter what it is that is in
my life; relationships, work, eating,
shopping, I have to work at managing
balance so that things flow at the right
pace, otherwise, my entire life is off
kilter.
But today, I don't need to struggle. I
don't need to overdo my relationships or
my work. I can do just one thing and
know that the rest will be there
tomorrow. Today I have the gifts that
have been given to me to manage my life.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I pray that God will help me to manage and balance my life so that I can do a good job with all things, especially living.
Recovery Meditations ~ Serving Others ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 26, 2011
~ SERVING OTHERS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"It is one of the most beautiful
compensations of life, that no man can
sincerely try to help another without
helping himself."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
I'm not sure when I learned about giving
service to others ... it seems like a
long time ago. There's a feeling one
gets deep inside when we do something to
help others that makes us know we want
to keep that feeling coming forever.
I believe our Higher Powers give us
certain gifts. Maybe they're all put in
a large bag and when we're born, HP
distributes them ... sort of like one
reaches in a grab bag at parties. I do
know that everyone I have ever met has
some soft of gift ... something that
they do that comes easily and becomes
something they get very good at
doing. When they start giving others
this gift, they get even better at doing
what they do ... and that "feeling"
inside begins to grow.
I was given three gifts: music,
listening to others and writing. Music
was the first gift I was aware of and I
spent my life sharing it. In adulthood I
learned I had another gift ~ the gift of
being able to listen. I realized that a
lot of people don't feel "heard." When I
spent my time listening to others, I
realized I was giving them a gift. Now I
get that same special feeling I had when
I performed in front of many people as I
quietly sit and listen to someone pour
out their heart to me. Finally, there
came a time when I began to write... and
that same feeling emerged when someone
would tell me that what I wrote made a
difference to them.
I belong to an organization where
hundreds of people give their gifts to
others each day and I finally learned
that there were reasons why so many
people devote so much of their lives to
service. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure that out ... we
serve because we experience that
feeling. We serve because it makes us
feel good. We serve others because in
doing so we serve ourselves.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
Let me continue to serve.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"It is one of the most beautiful
compensations of life, that no man can
sincerely try to help another without
helping himself."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
I'm not sure when I learned about giving
service to others ... it seems like a
long time ago. There's a feeling one
gets deep inside when we do something to
help others that makes us know we want
to keep that feeling coming forever.
I believe our Higher Powers give us
certain gifts. Maybe they're all put in
a large bag and when we're born, HP
distributes them ... sort of like one
reaches in a grab bag at parties. I do
know that everyone I have ever met has
some soft of gift ... something that
they do that comes easily and becomes
something they get very good at
doing. When they start giving others
this gift, they get even better at doing
what they do ... and that "feeling"
inside begins to grow.
I was given three gifts: music,
listening to others and writing. Music
was the first gift I was aware of and I
spent my life sharing it. In adulthood I
learned I had another gift ~ the gift of
being able to listen. I realized that a
lot of people don't feel "heard." When I
spent my time listening to others, I
realized I was giving them a gift. Now I
get that same special feeling I had when
I performed in front of many people as I
quietly sit and listen to someone pour
out their heart to me. Finally, there
came a time when I began to write... and
that same feeling emerged when someone
would tell me that what I wrote made a
difference to them.
I belong to an organization where
hundreds of people give their gifts to
others each day and I finally learned
that there were reasons why so many
people devote so much of their lives to
service. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure that out ... we
serve because we experience that
feeling. We serve because it makes us
feel good. We serve others because in
doing so we serve ourselves.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
Let me continue to serve.
Recovery Meditations ~ Sharing ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 25, 2011
~ SHARING ~
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"What most of us want is to be heard, to communicate."
Dory Previn
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I am privileged to be involved in a
meeting, hear sharing and have the
opportunity to share, magic happens. For
me, it is the end of isolation, the
times of being alone with my mind and my
thoughts that run away with me as long
as they are stewing inside without me
allowing myself to give them
expression. That is why sharing is so
important. If I receive constantly
without giving, I stagnate. If I give
consistently without taking the time to
take in and be helped, I go bankrupt.
I need to share and listen for the God
of my understanding in others' voices. I
often refer to others who share as "God
with skin on." I also need to share with
others. For me, sharing is a type of
prayer, talking to my Higher Power from
my heart with others listening in on our
conversation! That way I am heard by my
HP and those at the meeting I am
attending. That is the true magic of the
program.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will reach out to others by sharing in meetings and allowing others to bless me with their sharing.
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"What most of us want is to be heard, to communicate."
Dory Previn
~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I am privileged to be involved in a
meeting, hear sharing and have the
opportunity to share, magic happens. For
me, it is the end of isolation, the
times of being alone with my mind and my
thoughts that run away with me as long
as they are stewing inside without me
allowing myself to give them
expression. That is why sharing is so
important. If I receive constantly
without giving, I stagnate. If I give
consistently without taking the time to
take in and be helped, I go bankrupt.
I need to share and listen for the God
of my understanding in others' voices. I
often refer to others who share as "God
with skin on." I also need to share with
others. For me, sharing is a type of
prayer, talking to my Higher Power from
my heart with others listening in on our
conversation! That way I am heard by my
HP and those at the meeting I am
attending. That is the true magic of the
program.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will reach out to others by sharing in meetings and allowing others to bless me with their sharing.
Recovery Meditations ~ Perfection ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 24, 2011
~ PERFECTION ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The thing that is really hard, and
really amazing, is giving up on being
perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
Anna Quindlen
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Perfect"...to me that word sounds like:
"Do it again. You didn't do it right."
That's the message I get from the voices
in my head. The messages of perfectionism tell me over and over that
I did it wrong. It's a powerful weapon when you use it as a whip against yourself, just like negative messages
when you look in a mirror. I have a choice every single moment of every single day to either pick up that whip and hurt myself, or to "get out of my own way" and be kind. I can choose to look in the mirror and be thankful, and to look at myself and feel love. It takes a lot of practice, but it is worth it.
If you love yourself more than you love anyone else, you can feel happiness again. You can create again. You can look at your shadow and say good things about it too! It's another beautiful you ~ unique and wonderfully made.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will celebrate the beauty of myself today and everyday.
.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The thing that is really hard, and
really amazing, is giving up on being
perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
Anna Quindlen
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Perfect"...to me that word sounds like:
"Do it again. You didn't do it right."
That's the message I get from the voices
in my head. The messages of perfectionism tell me over and over that
I did it wrong. It's a powerful weapon when you use it as a whip against yourself, just like negative messages
when you look in a mirror. I have a choice every single moment of every single day to either pick up that whip and hurt myself, or to "get out of my own way" and be kind. I can choose to look in the mirror and be thankful, and to look at myself and feel love. It takes a lot of practice, but it is worth it.
If you love yourself more than you love anyone else, you can feel happiness again. You can create again. You can look at your shadow and say good things about it too! It's another beautiful you ~ unique and wonderfully made.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will celebrate the beauty of myself today and everyday.
.
Recovery Meditations ~ Opportunity ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 23, 2011
~ OPPORTUNITY ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity."
Albert Einstein
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Pain, struggle, and difficulty can be
catalysts for changes in me. If I am
having so much difficulty living the way
I do, then surely my current means of
coping and survival are not working. The
insanity of it all was that in spite of
all the proof I saw that those methods
did not work, I continued to live the
same way -- and suffer the same
difficulties and struggles -- for many
years. Then opportunity for change
knocked on my door. I found TRG online.
The Recovery Group program has shown me
that there are much better ways to deal
with life than to stuff myself with
food, fear, resentments, and anger. The
methods and tools I have been given here
work. My defects still rear their ugly
heads, but I no longer live focused on
-- or living in -- those defects. Now I
direct my thinking to program material,
prayer and program works. What a gift
that has been! Joy is mine for today ~
for the taking!
When I find that what I am doing today
is not working, what do I need to do? As
a COE with no recovery I would have kept
doing what wasn't working. That made no
sense, but that's what I did. Now when I
struggle with the food, I look at my
thinking, 'cause thinking affects how I
feel and feelings impact my
compulsions. When the thinking starts to
spiral downward I know I need to act. I
need to read program material, contact a
program person, pray and meditate,
and/or do program service. I need to use
the tools to get me focused back on
recovery.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be mindful of my thinking, and
when negative or self-pitying thoughts
arise, I will remember that I have the
opportunity now to redirect and refocus
anew on recovery.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity."
Albert Einstein
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Pain, struggle, and difficulty can be
catalysts for changes in me. If I am
having so much difficulty living the way
I do, then surely my current means of
coping and survival are not working. The
insanity of it all was that in spite of
all the proof I saw that those methods
did not work, I continued to live the
same way -- and suffer the same
difficulties and struggles -- for many
years. Then opportunity for change
knocked on my door. I found TRG online.
The Recovery Group program has shown me
that there are much better ways to deal
with life than to stuff myself with
food, fear, resentments, and anger. The
methods and tools I have been given here
work. My defects still rear their ugly
heads, but I no longer live focused on
-- or living in -- those defects. Now I
direct my thinking to program material,
prayer and program works. What a gift
that has been! Joy is mine for today ~
for the taking!
When I find that what I am doing today
is not working, what do I need to do? As
a COE with no recovery I would have kept
doing what wasn't working. That made no
sense, but that's what I did. Now when I
struggle with the food, I look at my
thinking, 'cause thinking affects how I
feel and feelings impact my
compulsions. When the thinking starts to
spiral downward I know I need to act. I
need to read program material, contact a
program person, pray and meditate,
and/or do program service. I need to use
the tools to get me focused back on
recovery.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will be mindful of my thinking, and
when negative or self-pitying thoughts
arise, I will remember that I have the
opportunity now to redirect and refocus
anew on recovery.
Recovery Meditations ~ Thoughts ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 22, 2011
~ THOUGHTS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The universe is transformation;
our lives are what our thoughts make it."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
The power of our thoughts is astounding,
and my negative thoughts kept me in
chains for many years. I was constantly
thinking of what was not right, what I
didn't do right, what needs of mine went
unmet. My life was miserable by my own
making. My own thoughts kept me in a
prison of negativity. The only person
who had the key was me. For many years I
stayed locked in, not knowing the key
was in my possession..
When I came to the program I learned
that I had responsibility for my
"side of the street." I finally
came to understand that I was able to
change my thinking, one day at a
time. It was a slow process. It took a
life-time to learn negative thinking
patterns, and it took years to learn
positive thinking patterns. Using the
tools of the program was the key to
re-educating my mind. At meetings I
heard positive statements that others
made about themselves and me. Reading
program literature was always a positive
experience. As I chose nurturing, loving
sponsors, they affirmed me and my baby
steps toward wholeness and healing. All
of these, and other tools, worked slowly
to bring about an awareness that I held
the key to my own prison door and gave
me the courage to take the key and free
myself from negativity..
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will choose positive thoughts and
actions that bring me freedom.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The universe is transformation;
our lives are what our thoughts make it."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
The power of our thoughts is astounding,
and my negative thoughts kept me in
chains for many years. I was constantly
thinking of what was not right, what I
didn't do right, what needs of mine went
unmet. My life was miserable by my own
making. My own thoughts kept me in a
prison of negativity. The only person
who had the key was me. For many years I
stayed locked in, not knowing the key
was in my possession..
When I came to the program I learned
that I had responsibility for my
"side of the street." I finally
came to understand that I was able to
change my thinking, one day at a
time. It was a slow process. It took a
life-time to learn negative thinking
patterns, and it took years to learn
positive thinking patterns. Using the
tools of the program was the key to
re-educating my mind. At meetings I
heard positive statements that others
made about themselves and me. Reading
program literature was always a positive
experience. As I chose nurturing, loving
sponsors, they affirmed me and my baby
steps toward wholeness and healing. All
of these, and other tools, worked slowly
to bring about an awareness that I held
the key to my own prison door and gave
me the courage to take the key and free
myself from negativity..
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will choose positive thoughts and
actions that bring me freedom.
Recovery Meditations ~ Sublimation ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 21, 2011
SUBLIMATION
"People who are happy don't use food to
sublimate. Food is supposed to be good
for you - not make you feel good!"
Gary Null
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
All compulsive overeaters use food to
sublimate. Sublimation in layman’s terms
is any habit or technique we use to
alter or change our reality - for better
or worse! Sublimation methods of choice
are a great gauge to measure mental and
physical health. Poor choices are using
food, gambling, television, alcohol,
drugs, shopping, excessive sleep or too
many passive activities. Healthy choices
are meditation, visual imagery, prayer,
journaling, yoga, physical exercise,
relaxation exercises, deep breathing,
etc. Anything from lawn mowing to
vacuuming could be an act of sublimation
- IF done with high level of awareness
and concentration. A person who's high
up the ladder spiritually sees Higher
Power in all things at all times. Since
we sublimate regardless, the trick is to
make it a consciously controlled
positive sublimation rather than
subconscious negative sublimation.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will consciously incorporate positive, healthy methods of sublimation.
"People who are happy don't use food to
sublimate. Food is supposed to be good
for you - not make you feel good!"
Gary Null
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
All compulsive overeaters use food to
sublimate. Sublimation in layman’s terms
is any habit or technique we use to
alter or change our reality - for better
or worse! Sublimation methods of choice
are a great gauge to measure mental and
physical health. Poor choices are using
food, gambling, television, alcohol,
drugs, shopping, excessive sleep or too
many passive activities. Healthy choices
are meditation, visual imagery, prayer,
journaling, yoga, physical exercise,
relaxation exercises, deep breathing,
etc. Anything from lawn mowing to
vacuuming could be an act of sublimation
- IF done with high level of awareness
and concentration. A person who's high
up the ladder spiritually sees Higher
Power in all things at all times. Since
we sublimate regardless, the trick is to
make it a consciously controlled
positive sublimation rather than
subconscious negative sublimation.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will consciously incorporate positive, healthy methods of sublimation.
Recovery Meditations ~ Avoidance ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 20, 2011
~ AVOIDANCE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.."
Aldous Huxley
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Step 1 has a basic principle behind it
which is truth. For me that truth is,
just as I use tools for recovery, there
are tools that my willful mind uses to
keep me rooted in my disease. One of the
strongest is avoidance.
Recovery can bring up a lot of painful
issues and have me recall situations in
which I feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I
find that these old feelings have a way
of creeping into my psyche. Suddenly
some old behavior comes rushing back and
I find myself using avoidance as a means
to protect myself. Other times, I find
myself acting very willfully by
deliberately putting things off like
going to the gym even when I know that
it is good for me, I enjoy myself and am
always happy for having gone..
My avoidance can take the form of
rebellion against a person, chore, or
situation.
Recovery has taught me to face
situations. Once the situation has been
faced, I often feel a sense of immediate
relief. I know that the deed is done, my
fears whether they be realistic or not,
usually fall away, and sometimes I even
feel a little silly for having avoided
the situation in the first place.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will fact the situations that I encounter today with action.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.."
Aldous Huxley
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Step 1 has a basic principle behind it
which is truth. For me that truth is,
just as I use tools for recovery, there
are tools that my willful mind uses to
keep me rooted in my disease. One of the
strongest is avoidance.
Recovery can bring up a lot of painful
issues and have me recall situations in
which I feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I
find that these old feelings have a way
of creeping into my psyche. Suddenly
some old behavior comes rushing back and
I find myself using avoidance as a means
to protect myself. Other times, I find
myself acting very willfully by
deliberately putting things off like
going to the gym even when I know that
it is good for me, I enjoy myself and am
always happy for having gone..
My avoidance can take the form of
rebellion against a person, chore, or
situation.
Recovery has taught me to face
situations. Once the situation has been
faced, I often feel a sense of immediate
relief. I know that the deed is done, my
fears whether they be realistic or not,
usually fall away, and sometimes I even
feel a little silly for having avoided
the situation in the first place.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will fact the situations that I encounter today with action.
Recovery Meditations ~ Human Spirit ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 19, 2011
~ THE HUMAN SPIRIT ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
The human spirit is stronger than
anything that can happen to it.
Unknown
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
I spent most years of my life feeling
like a damaged person, one who was
permanently and irreparably defective. I
am the survivor of abuse, and had been a
practicing compulsive overeater since
early childhood. The only way I knew
myself was broken, hopeless, and damaged
beyond repair. On the days when I could
manage to have a goal, my goal was to
make the best of it ... and to simply
survive the remainder of my days on this
earth.
Recovery has transformed my view of
myself and my experience of life. In
receiving the love, support and guidance
of my friends on this journey I began to
see a glimmer of hope. With the loving
care of my sponsors I began to take the
Steps, and I learned to live them out
... one day at a time.
In taking the Steps and living them out,
I found my buried spirit, and I found
that it was alive and well! In recovery
I became reacquainted with the spiritual
part of myself that I thought was lost
forever. In this connection, I learned
to live, laugh, and hope again. My
spiritual connection is stronger than
anything that can happen to me. This is
the truth in my life today, and it
transforms me to peace, joy, and love
greater than I had ever dreamed.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will practice Step Eleven, and improve
my conscious contact with God. I will
choose to live in connection with my
inner spirit.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
The human spirit is stronger than
anything that can happen to it.
Unknown
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
I spent most years of my life feeling
like a damaged person, one who was
permanently and irreparably defective. I
am the survivor of abuse, and had been a
practicing compulsive overeater since
early childhood. The only way I knew
myself was broken, hopeless, and damaged
beyond repair. On the days when I could
manage to have a goal, my goal was to
make the best of it ... and to simply
survive the remainder of my days on this
earth.
Recovery has transformed my view of
myself and my experience of life. In
receiving the love, support and guidance
of my friends on this journey I began to
see a glimmer of hope. With the loving
care of my sponsors I began to take the
Steps, and I learned to live them out
... one day at a time.
In taking the Steps and living them out,
I found my buried spirit, and I found
that it was alive and well! In recovery
I became reacquainted with the spiritual
part of myself that I thought was lost
forever. In this connection, I learned
to live, laugh, and hope again. My
spiritual connection is stronger than
anything that can happen to me. This is
the truth in my life today, and it
transforms me to peace, joy, and love
greater than I had ever dreamed.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will practice Step Eleven, and improve
my conscious contact with God. I will
choose to live in connection with my
inner spirit.
Recovery Meditations ~ Step Eleven ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 18, 2011
~ STEP ELEVEN ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Be like the bird that, passing on her
flight awhile on boughs too slight,
feels them give way beneath her, and yet
sings, knowing that she hath wings. "
Victor Hugo
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Step eleven tells us to seek "through
prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God as we
understand Him, praying only for
knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out." For me, that
is a daily, some times, minute by minute
task. As a food addict and compulsive
overeater I face temptation daily and
need to be in fit spiritual condition to
resist. I do this by making a daily
conscious contact with the God of my
understanding. Then I am connected when
I need the fox hole prayers like, "Help
me!" or "I’m in trouble!"
Step eleven for me is a spiritual
discipline to be practiced daily. I do
not do that perfectly, but I aspire to
connect daily with my God. As I connect
I pray for His will for my life and the
power to carry that out. It is easy to
get selfish with my prayers and step
eleven helps me with this. There are
certain things that I know are His will,
such as attending meetings, talking to
my sponsor, using the tools and staying
connected to my God. If I am unsure, I
pray for God’s will and leave the rest
to Him.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will maintain a fit spiritual
condition by connecting with the God of
my understanding.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Be like the bird that, passing on her
flight awhile on boughs too slight,
feels them give way beneath her, and yet
sings, knowing that she hath wings. "
Victor Hugo
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Step eleven tells us to seek "through
prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God as we
understand Him, praying only for
knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out." For me, that
is a daily, some times, minute by minute
task. As a food addict and compulsive
overeater I face temptation daily and
need to be in fit spiritual condition to
resist. I do this by making a daily
conscious contact with the God of my
understanding. Then I am connected when
I need the fox hole prayers like, "Help
me!" or "I’m in trouble!"
Step eleven for me is a spiritual
discipline to be practiced daily. I do
not do that perfectly, but I aspire to
connect daily with my God. As I connect
I pray for His will for my life and the
power to carry that out. It is easy to
get selfish with my prayers and step
eleven helps me with this. There are
certain things that I know are His will,
such as attending meetings, talking to
my sponsor, using the tools and staying
connected to my God. If I am unsure, I
pray for God’s will and leave the rest
to Him.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will maintain a fit spiritual
condition by connecting with the God of
my understanding.
Recovery Meditations ~ Happiness ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 17, 2011
~ HAPPINESS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Happiness is an achievement brought about by inner productiveness. People succeed at being happy by building a liking for themselves.
Erich Fromm
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
It has been said that if one of us ever
treated another human being the way we
treated ourselves, we would be liable
for criminal charges. I did not treat
myself as a friend, someone I loved; I
constantly fed into my unhappiness.
Alcoholics Anonymous
co-founder Bill W. was asked, shortly
before he died, to sum up the program in
the lowest common denominator. He
replied, "Get right with yourself, with
God, then with your neighbor."
Therefore, it stands to reason that I
must start making friends with myself. I
must treat myself with love and dignity,
and the result will be happiness. To be
happy, joyous, and free is the
by-product of obedience to the program.
ONE DAY AT A TIME ...
Am I going to try being happy?
Am I going to make friends with myself?
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Happiness is an achievement brought about by inner productiveness. People succeed at being happy by building a liking for themselves.
Erich Fromm
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
It has been said that if one of us ever
treated another human being the way we
treated ourselves, we would be liable
for criminal charges. I did not treat
myself as a friend, someone I loved; I
constantly fed into my unhappiness.
Alcoholics Anonymous
co-founder Bill W. was asked, shortly
before he died, to sum up the program in
the lowest common denominator. He
replied, "Get right with yourself, with
God, then with your neighbor."
Therefore, it stands to reason that I
must start making friends with myself. I
must treat myself with love and dignity,
and the result will be happiness. To be
happy, joyous, and free is the
by-product of obedience to the program.
ONE DAY AT A TIME ...
Am I going to try being happy?
Am I going to make friends with myself?
Recovery Meditations ~ Gratitude ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 16, 2011
~ GRATITUDE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods ... He is my shelter. There is nothing but goodness in Him!
The Bible, Book of Psalms
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Since I first walked into these rooms, I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone said, "Welcome home." In my gut I felt welcomed into the fellowship, but only now, after years of accepting it, do I finally get it.
Who is this God everyone is saying cares about us? I felt God was too busy creating and managing the universe to concentrate on any one individual, let alone each and every one of us. Now, I don't know how anyone else acted while in the clutches of their disease, but I do know how I reacted. I was not a very nice person to be around. If you said the sky was blue, I would say it was black. Nothing was right in my world and I refused to trust anyone or anything; I was rebellious. That is how I treated God! I dared God to fix me, to take away my desire for food, to come into my life so I would know it.
Well, people told me God meets you where you are. I learned the hard way that God does reveal Himself to you in whatever way works for you. For me that has been by learning to listen to people share in meetings and verbally state what God has been trying to get through my thick skull. When I read program literature, I
hear little voices of recovering people speak of how God is doing for them what they couldn't do for themselves. I watch people in recovery living a new kind of life, in which they are participants. I learn from them how to live rather then bouncing off the walls because I only reacted to life. I am beginning to see all the little things that I have been given from God through my interactions with fellow compulsive overeaters. My
soul feels welcomed in this fellowship. I feel I have a new family in which to heal my wounds from my family of origin. I am filled with immense gratitude to a God that cares enough about each and everyone of us.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will stop and take inventory of all the blessings I receive, each and every day, from a loving, supportive fellowship and a God of my understanding who loves me enough to put up with all my baggage.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods ... He is my shelter. There is nothing but goodness in Him!
The Bible, Book of Psalms
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
Since I first walked into these rooms, I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone said, "Welcome home." In my gut I felt welcomed into the fellowship, but only now, after years of accepting it, do I finally get it.
Who is this God everyone is saying cares about us? I felt God was too busy creating and managing the universe to concentrate on any one individual, let alone each and every one of us. Now, I don't know how anyone else acted while in the clutches of their disease, but I do know how I reacted. I was not a very nice person to be around. If you said the sky was blue, I would say it was black. Nothing was right in my world and I refused to trust anyone or anything; I was rebellious. That is how I treated God! I dared God to fix me, to take away my desire for food, to come into my life so I would know it.
Well, people told me God meets you where you are. I learned the hard way that God does reveal Himself to you in whatever way works for you. For me that has been by learning to listen to people share in meetings and verbally state what God has been trying to get through my thick skull. When I read program literature, I
hear little voices of recovering people speak of how God is doing for them what they couldn't do for themselves. I watch people in recovery living a new kind of life, in which they are participants. I learn from them how to live rather then bouncing off the walls because I only reacted to life. I am beginning to see all the little things that I have been given from God through my interactions with fellow compulsive overeaters. My
soul feels welcomed in this fellowship. I feel I have a new family in which to heal my wounds from my family of origin. I am filled with immense gratitude to a God that cares enough about each and everyone of us.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will stop and take inventory of all the blessings I receive, each and every day, from a loving, supportive fellowship and a God of my understanding who loves me enough to put up with all my baggage.
Recovery Meditations ~ Kind Words ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 15, 2011
~ KIND WORDS ~
*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Teresa
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
How many times are we gifted with
newcomers to our meetings? They are so
easy to see as they huddle in the back
of the room -- usually as close to the
exit as possible. Their oversized coat
is a good giveaway, especially in
July. Their eyes show the fear and
anxiety that we all felt. Sure, we made
it, and so can they.
I remember the elder who first said
those magical words to me -- those two
simple words -- "Welcome Home." The
warmth and safety those words held were
immense. I felt that my body was huge,
and I was embarrassed in a room full of
people who looked very similar to
me…but my eyes could not see
that. They were filled with tears
because of those two words. Welcome
home. Whoever that person was, I have
two words for you, "Thank you."
What can you do to make a newcomer feel
welcome to your meeting? Let us not
forget that all-important first hug. I
remember mine; do you remember yours? It
felt good, I'll bet. So welcome the
newcomer and let them know they are
home.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will do my part to welcome the
newcomer into our fellowship.
*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Teresa
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
How many times are we gifted with
newcomers to our meetings? They are so
easy to see as they huddle in the back
of the room -- usually as close to the
exit as possible. Their oversized coat
is a good giveaway, especially in
July. Their eyes show the fear and
anxiety that we all felt. Sure, we made
it, and so can they.
I remember the elder who first said
those magical words to me -- those two
simple words -- "Welcome Home." The
warmth and safety those words held were
immense. I felt that my body was huge,
and I was embarrassed in a room full of
people who looked very similar to
me…but my eyes could not see
that. They were filled with tears
because of those two words. Welcome
home. Whoever that person was, I have
two words for you, "Thank you."
What can you do to make a newcomer feel
welcome to your meeting? Let us not
forget that all-important first hug. I
remember mine; do you remember yours? It
felt good, I'll bet. So welcome the
newcomer and let them know they are
home.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will do my part to welcome the
newcomer into our fellowship.
Recovery Meditations ~ Perfectionism ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 14, 2011
~ PERFECTIONISM ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Shooting stars come out of the darkness."
Unknown Author
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Today I am wading through guilt and
shame as I try to step into the
Light. My ankles are mired in
unfulfilled visions and lost
dreams. Childhood voices scream at me of
my Potential. What are you doing? You're
smart, talented, and beautiful. What are
you doing with your life? You have the
capacity for a great job, why do you
loll in mediocrity? You're close to
thinness, why can't you eat less? You
could be beautiful, why don't you take
more time with your hair, makeup, have
manicures or plastic surgery? Why do you
hover around "good enough"?
I remember when I had all these things,
I wanted different things. The voices
remind me I am not perfect, only a
perfectionist. My goals remind me of
what I lack. My tears remind me I am not
what I preach. My Higher Power reminds
me I am still on the easel, and grateful
for my journey. My darkness reminds me I
live in the Light.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I seek the light of recovery that is
seeking me.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"Shooting stars come out of the darkness."
Unknown Author
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Today I am wading through guilt and
shame as I try to step into the
Light. My ankles are mired in
unfulfilled visions and lost
dreams. Childhood voices scream at me of
my Potential. What are you doing? You're
smart, talented, and beautiful. What are
you doing with your life? You have the
capacity for a great job, why do you
loll in mediocrity? You're close to
thinness, why can't you eat less? You
could be beautiful, why don't you take
more time with your hair, makeup, have
manicures or plastic surgery? Why do you
hover around "good enough"?
I remember when I had all these things,
I wanted different things. The voices
remind me I am not perfect, only a
perfectionist. My goals remind me of
what I lack. My tears remind me I am not
what I preach. My Higher Power reminds
me I am still on the easel, and grateful
for my journey. My darkness reminds me I
live in the Light.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I seek the light of recovery that is
seeking me.
Recovery Meditations ~ Serenity ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 13, 2011
~ SERENITY ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The final wisdom of life requires not
the annulment of incongruity but the
achievement of serenity with and above
it."
Reinhold Niebuhr
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I started coming to Recovery Group
meetings, I heard the word "serenity"
used frequently. I waited for someone to
turn the serenity light switch on for
me. I thought if I kept coming, the guy
in charge of lights would turn mine on,
and then I would possess and understand
serenity! But the people in the meetings
kept telling me, "You need to work the
steps." I began to work them with a
vengeance, the way a compulsive person
-- such as I am -- tends to function.
With each passing day I have begun to
feel more comfortable living in my own
skin. My fears, worries about the
future, and anxieties have all
decreased. I have made a more personal
connection with my Higher Power. I have
begun to develop friendships with other
people in Recovery Group. The loving
friendships here have had a huge impact
on how I feel about myself. They have
caused me to experience more self-love
and self-acceptance. I have come to the
point where I now know that no matter
what happens, things will eventually
work out for the best for me.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will continue to attend meetings to
experience serenity.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The final wisdom of life requires not
the annulment of incongruity but the
achievement of serenity with and above
it."
Reinhold Niebuhr
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
When I started coming to Recovery Group
meetings, I heard the word "serenity"
used frequently. I waited for someone to
turn the serenity light switch on for
me. I thought if I kept coming, the guy
in charge of lights would turn mine on,
and then I would possess and understand
serenity! But the people in the meetings
kept telling me, "You need to work the
steps." I began to work them with a
vengeance, the way a compulsive person
-- such as I am -- tends to function.
With each passing day I have begun to
feel more comfortable living in my own
skin. My fears, worries about the
future, and anxieties have all
decreased. I have made a more personal
connection with my Higher Power. I have
begun to develop friendships with other
people in Recovery Group. The loving
friendships here have had a huge impact
on how I feel about myself. They have
caused me to experience more self-love
and self-acceptance. I have come to the
point where I now know that no matter
what happens, things will eventually
work out for the best for me.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will continue to attend meetings to
experience serenity.
Recovery Meditations ~ Worry ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 12, 2011
~ WORRY ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia.
Charles Schultz
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Worry...that's a topic I'm really good
at! Since working the Twelve Steps,
however, I am beginning to see some
things about worry that, hopefully, will
soon make it a thing of the past in my
life. After all, why should I worry?
What has worry ever done for me, except
mess up my life?
I am seeing that when I am worrying
about something, I have not turned it
over to my Higher Power, and I am
continuing to act from my own
self-will. Or, I did turn it over to my
Higher Power, but didn't really trust
Him to take care of it, and so I took it
back!
I had a breakthrough, just a couple of
days ago, concerning worry. I was
concerned about a decision my husband
and I had to make and it was so far
beyond my ability to see into the future
that I gave up and prayed for
help. Somehow I let go and let
God. Suddenly a beautiful stillness and
peace came over me. I felt calmer than I
had in years ... very calm and still and
at peace. I felt completely reassured
that God was handling my "decision" and
that God was completely competent to do
so.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I abandon worry. I let go and let God,
and enjoy the serenity and peace of
trust in God.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia.
Charles Schultz
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
Worry...that's a topic I'm really good
at! Since working the Twelve Steps,
however, I am beginning to see some
things about worry that, hopefully, will
soon make it a thing of the past in my
life. After all, why should I worry?
What has worry ever done for me, except
mess up my life?
I am seeing that when I am worrying
about something, I have not turned it
over to my Higher Power, and I am
continuing to act from my own
self-will. Or, I did turn it over to my
Higher Power, but didn't really trust
Him to take care of it, and so I took it
back!
I had a breakthrough, just a couple of
days ago, concerning worry. I was
concerned about a decision my husband
and I had to make and it was so far
beyond my ability to see into the future
that I gave up and prayed for
help. Somehow I let go and let
God. Suddenly a beautiful stillness and
peace came over me. I felt calmer than I
had in years ... very calm and still and
at peace. I felt completely reassured
that God was handling my "decision" and
that God was completely competent to do
so.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I abandon worry. I let go and let God,
and enjoy the serenity and peace of
trust in God.
Recovery Meditations ~ Courage ~ One Day at a Time ~ May 11, 2011
~ COURAGE ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The courage of life is often less a
dramatic spectacle than the courage of
the final moment; but it is no less than
a magnificent mixture of triumph and
tragedy."
John F. Kennedy
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
As a little girl, I often daydreamed of
a knight in shining armor who would ride
bravely into my life and rescue me from
my fears and insecurities. This knight
would be fearless; un-phased by
fire-breathing dragons, deep dark caves,
or howling winds. He would have courage
where I had only fear.
The knight never came. I began to look
for other rescuers in my friends,
rolemodels, teachers, and church. Still
I could not find what I sought. My fears
continued to scream in my soul ... and I
felt so weak. I turned to food in an
attempt to silence the monsters in my
belly.
Sometimes my fear and hopelessness were
so desperate that I almost ended my life
- yet something inside of myself stopped
me from doing so. Something inside of me
clung to life and eventually brought me
to The Recovery Group.
In this group of amazing people
I immediately noticed the courage they
exhibited in confronting the challenges
in their lives and in choosing to learn
and grow from every failure and every
success. I marvel at the courage with
which they keep moving towards more and
more healing, in spite of their fears.
They have courage in spite of their fears.
The open, honest sharing of dear friends
in recovery has taught me that even I
had courage all along. Courage is not
the absence of fear; if there were no
fear, there’d be no need for courage.
Courage means making the choice to move
forward in spite of our fears.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will honor the courage I have. I will
thank God for giving me the strength to
move forward in spite of fear. I will
celebrate the courage I see in my
friends and I will encourage them on
their journey.
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
"The courage of life is often less a
dramatic spectacle than the courage of
the final moment; but it is no less than
a magnificent mixture of triumph and
tragedy."
John F. Kennedy
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~
As a little girl, I often daydreamed of
a knight in shining armor who would ride
bravely into my life and rescue me from
my fears and insecurities. This knight
would be fearless; un-phased by
fire-breathing dragons, deep dark caves,
or howling winds. He would have courage
where I had only fear.
The knight never came. I began to look
for other rescuers in my friends,
rolemodels, teachers, and church. Still
I could not find what I sought. My fears
continued to scream in my soul ... and I
felt so weak. I turned to food in an
attempt to silence the monsters in my
belly.
Sometimes my fear and hopelessness were
so desperate that I almost ended my life
- yet something inside of myself stopped
me from doing so. Something inside of me
clung to life and eventually brought me
to The Recovery Group.
In this group of amazing people
I immediately noticed the courage they
exhibited in confronting the challenges
in their lives and in choosing to learn
and grow from every failure and every
success. I marvel at the courage with
which they keep moving towards more and
more healing, in spite of their fears.
They have courage in spite of their fears.
The open, honest sharing of dear friends
in recovery has taught me that even I
had courage all along. Courage is not
the absence of fear; if there were no
fear, there’d be no need for courage.
Courage means making the choice to move
forward in spite of our fears.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will honor the courage I have. I will
thank God for giving me the strength to
move forward in spite of fear. I will
celebrate the courage I see in my
friends and I will encourage them on
their journey.
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