Readings

Yesterday's For Today:

"The means by which certain pleasures are gained bring pains many times greater than the pleasures." Epicurus

"...Then, when I could no longer pay the price, I surrendered, admitted my powerlessness and turned myself over to the Power that still directs my life."

Today's For Today

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." Hal Borland
"Whether it is the beginning of a new year or a new month, week or day, it's tempting to make resolutions, to swear off, to promise to reform. Before OA I did not know that these pledges were misguided attempts to be in control, to try yet again to make a normal eater out of myself.
"Do I want abstinence with peace of mine? Have I been able to achieve it on my own? I can admit my powerlessness now or I can wait for another calendar 'beginning.' But the best time to give up my will, my old ideas, my defects is an time i am ready to grow.
"For today: Instead of resolutions, promises and vows, I mark this day as I do all others: by surrendering my will and my life to God. I GIVE UP TRYING TO HANDLE MY FOOD AND MY WEIGHT."

Deep breath. Good.

Yesterday's Voices of Recovery:

"'A life of sane ad happy usefulness is what we are promised as the result of working the Twelve Steps.'" The Tools of Recovery p. 6

"...I got far more than I bargained for when I walked in the OA doors."
"...It had not occurred to me to try a spiritual solution to deal with what I thought was a physical problem"
"...My Higher Power continues to challenge me to love and accept myself just as i am today and to pass on the message that recovery from this disease is possible." And my sponsor says I *must* go to meetings and share my current state of recovery. My miracle.

Food for thought here: Today's Voices of Recovery:
"...Eventually, my Higher Power got a message through my food fog. He made me realize that I was playing with fire, still controlling my food. I had not taken Step One.
"Amazingly, when I gave up my binge foods, abstinence became easy. The compulsion was lifted. Miracles happen when we work the Seps honestly!..."

Yesterday's In This Moment:

"In This Moment, I honor where I am."
Oh, how beautiful! I love that!

"Sometimes, I throw my hands up in frustration when I look at the messes in my life. many are of my own doing. Some occur when I allow others to run my life. Either way, I must honor the place where I am, before I can move forward.
If I contribute to a bad situation, I need to accept responsibility for my part. I do have choices, and I prefer to channel my creative energies into positive actions. That's the direction I want my life to take."

And today's:
"In This Moment, I welcome the New Year."
Oh, do I ever!

"This is a day when I think about the past year and make resolutions for the coming ear. TV programs and newspapers cover the themes 'the best of' and 'the worst of' in the old year. I like to contemplate last year's growth and to give thought to possible improvements in my behavior in the year to come.
If i just do the best i can in this moment, at each moment follows another, they add up to a good day. one day at a time, wit my Higher Power's help, each of these days well lived adds up to a lifetime of abundant living."

Yesterday's The Language of Letting Go:

"Affirming the Good
"Fun becomes fun, love becomes love, life becomes worth living. And we become grateful." Beyond Codependency

"...and expect good things - for yourself and your loved ones."
"when you wonder what is coming, tell yourself the best is coming, the very best life and love have to offer, the best God and His universe have to send. Then open your hands to receive it. Claim it, and it is yours.
"See the best in your mind; envision what it will look like, what it will feel like. Focus, until you can see it clearly. let your whole being, body and soul, enter into and hold onto the image for a moment.
"Then, let it go. Come back into today, the present moment. Do not obsess. Do not become fearful. Become excited. Live today fully, expressing gratitude for all you have been, all you are, and all you will become.
"Wait, and expect good things.

"Today, when I think about the year ahead, i will focus on the good that is coming."

And today's:

"The New Year

"Make New Year's goals. dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully living life in the year to come.
"Goals give us direction. They put a powerful force into play on a universal, conscious, and subconscious level.
"Goals give our life direction.
"What would you like to have happen in your life this year? What would you like to do, to accomplish? what good would you like to attract into your life? What particular areas of growth would you like to have happen to you? what blocks, or character defects, would you like to have removed?
"What would you like to attain? Little things and big things? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have happen in friendship and love? What would you like to have happen in your family life?
"Remember, we aren't controlling others with our goals - we are trying to give direction to OUR life.
"What problems would you like to see solved? What decisions would you like to make? What would you like to happen in your career?
"What would you like to see happen inside and around you?
"Write it down. Take a piece of paper, a few hours of your time, and write it all down - as an affirmation of you, your life, and your ability to choose. Then let it go.
"Certainly, things happen that are out of our control. Sometimes, these events are pleasant surprises; sometimes, they are of another nature. but they are all part of the chapter that will be this year in our life and will lead us forward in the story."