Readings

For Today Speech is a mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he. Publilius Syrus Does what i say spring from abstinence and sober thinking or does it come out of the self-pity and fault-finding that characterize my illness? People who are living in the recovery talk program. Though they freely share their misadventures and errors in judgment, they are quick to take responsibility for their actions. In private conversations, as in group sharing, it is my speech that identifies me either as an OA who is actively working the program and learning to accept the truth, or as a member who is still suffering from compulsive overeater thinking. For today: my talk reflects my progress in the program. Listening closely to what i say will show me what i need to do. Voices of Recovery Clearly, if we are to live free of the bondage of compulsive eating, we must abstain from all foods and eating behaviors which cause us problems. OA 12 & 12 p. 2 - 3 i like the simple approach of three meals a day, with nothing in between. My spiritual and emotional recovery can start from there. I don't need to punish myself with excess food. Working the program of recovery on all three levels, I have learned to love myself enough to want recovery and be willing to do the footwork required to get and retain abstinence. In This Moment In This Moment, I look within. A mirror to gaze deeply into life is a reflection of my soul. An insatiable longing silently accompanies me. The need for trust and love exposes me to risk. I look within and acknowledge secrets. Intuition guides me to fill the blank pages of my life with confidence. Happy ending are choices to cherish. The Language of Letting Go Enjoyment Life is not to be endure; life is to be enjoyed and embraced. The belief that we must square our shoulders and get through a meager, deprived existence for far-off "rewards in Heaven" is a codependent belief. Yes, most of us still have times when life will be stressful and challenge our endurance skills. But in recovery, we're learning to live, to enjoy our life, and handle situations as they come. Our survival skills have served us well. They have gotten us through difficult times - as children and adults. Our ability to freeze feelings, deny problems, deprive ourselves, and cope with stress has helped us get where we are today. But we're safe now. We're learning to do more than survive. We can let go of unhealthy survival behaviors. We're learning new, better ways to protect and care for ourselves. We're free to feel our feelings, identify and solve problems, and give ourselves the best. We're free to open up and come alive. Today, I will let go of my unhealthy endurance and survival skills. I will choose a new mode of living, one that allows me to be alive and enjoy the adventure.