OA: Changing from the Inside Out
"Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window. . . but coaxed downstairs a step at a time." - Mark Twain
The story is told of the newly self-aware member who, wanting to be rid of a particularly troublesome defect, prayed, "God, please give me patience - now!"
Waiting for what I want is difficult. That's why all the magic diets and quick weight-loss schemes had so much appeal to me. I wanted to be rid of my excess weight now. I didn't want to hear about the dangers of crash dieting or its short-lived results.
In OA, change comes from the inside out. Eating is moderated to a satisfying, healthful intake that becomes part of a new way of life. Where once I made graphs and charts projecting the rate and amount of weight loss over the weeks and months, in OA the weight takes care of itself.
This process works equally well on habits I want to be rid of. I subject them to the OA program, one step at a time, and gradually they loosen their hold and fall away. I am not the same person I was when I came to OA.
For Today: There is help in the OA program for dealing with habits I wish I didn't have. Am I using that help?
It figures Mark Twain would be talking Recovery Talk loooong before the founders of AA ever did. ^^
Still working on my Step 6, which is thus: We were entirely ready to have Spirit remove all these defects of character. My Sponsor had me write down both my obvious, glaring defects, and my subtle character defects. For those curious, this includes such classics as: Procrastination, Lying, Stubbornness, Self Doubt, being Judgmental, and much more! Everything and anything that I felt was detracting from my recovery and my life, I put down. We went over them this past Sunday, and he then gave me a new homework assignment: find the definition of each, then find the OPPOSITE of that defect. "These are the character traits you want to emphasis." Haven't gotten around to it JUST yet, but I have been practicing this in a small way without even knowing it: During my meditation and prayer, I ask my Higher Powers to take the negative and change it to positive, helpful energy, just for today. Maybe this will knock some of the sting out of it when it comes to the 7th Step. ^^
We also talked about what abstinence means in OA (my sponsor is from AA), and got down to the nitty gritty of what it means to have abstinence, and having a food plan, and how important it is to stick to them. I am really blessed and grateful to say that because of that talk, yesterday was the first FULL DAY of abstinence in over two weeks. Couldn't have had that miracle without the steps, the groups, my sponsor, and my Higher Powers helping me peel back the layers.
Anyway, what else is new... minor aches and pains, mostly in my neck and lower back. I THINK I just had a bad night's sleep. Hopefully nothing will break down too badly before my massage later this week. <3
Monday night meeting was really good! Heard a lot of shares about making plans of actions, following through with what they start, etc. Made me really proud to see all the HOPE around that table!
I am having some conflict with a personality type at the group, but lucky me I had their email and sent them what I HOPE was a level headed discussion about what was bugging me. Other than that, though, hunky dory! I think I am learning a lot being in service to the Monday night meeting, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Started an herb garden! YES. FINALLY. Robert took me to a Farmer's Market on Sunday, saw me gazing longingly at some rosemary and lavender plants, and promptly set the wheels in motion. Heck, when I was clearing out our little patch of dirt I came across two good size earthworms, one for each new plant! It was fun digging around in the dirt, I gotta say. I hope to start learning more about gardening, maybe make a little witchy herb and vegetable garden. I have high hopes...!
I think that about does it for now. I hope all of you who read this are well, are happy, and finding good reasons to enjoy your day!
Reality is for people who can't handle drugs.
The story is told of the newly self-aware member who, wanting to be rid of a particularly troublesome defect, prayed, "God, please give me patience - now!"
Waiting for what I want is difficult. That's why all the magic diets and quick weight-loss schemes had so much appeal to me. I wanted to be rid of my excess weight now. I didn't want to hear about the dangers of crash dieting or its short-lived results.
In OA, change comes from the inside out. Eating is moderated to a satisfying, healthful intake that becomes part of a new way of life. Where once I made graphs and charts projecting the rate and amount of weight loss over the weeks and months, in OA the weight takes care of itself.
This process works equally well on habits I want to be rid of. I subject them to the OA program, one step at a time, and gradually they loosen their hold and fall away. I am not the same person I was when I came to OA.
For Today: There is help in the OA program for dealing with habits I wish I didn't have. Am I using that help?
It figures Mark Twain would be talking Recovery Talk loooong before the founders of AA ever did. ^^
Still working on my Step 6, which is thus: We were entirely ready to have Spirit remove all these defects of character. My Sponsor had me write down both my obvious, glaring defects, and my subtle character defects. For those curious, this includes such classics as: Procrastination, Lying, Stubbornness, Self Doubt, being Judgmental, and much more! Everything and anything that I felt was detracting from my recovery and my life, I put down. We went over them this past Sunday, and he then gave me a new homework assignment: find the definition of each, then find the OPPOSITE of that defect. "These are the character traits you want to emphasis." Haven't gotten around to it JUST yet, but I have been practicing this in a small way without even knowing it: During my meditation and prayer, I ask my Higher Powers to take the negative and change it to positive, helpful energy, just for today. Maybe this will knock some of the sting out of it when it comes to the 7th Step. ^^
We also talked about what abstinence means in OA (my sponsor is from AA), and got down to the nitty gritty of what it means to have abstinence, and having a food plan, and how important it is to stick to them. I am really blessed and grateful to say that because of that talk, yesterday was the first FULL DAY of abstinence in over two weeks. Couldn't have had that miracle without the steps, the groups, my sponsor, and my Higher Powers helping me peel back the layers.
Anyway, what else is new... minor aches and pains, mostly in my neck and lower back. I THINK I just had a bad night's sleep. Hopefully nothing will break down too badly before my massage later this week. <3
Monday night meeting was really good! Heard a lot of shares about making plans of actions, following through with what they start, etc. Made me really proud to see all the HOPE around that table!
I am having some conflict with a personality type at the group, but lucky me I had their email and sent them what I HOPE was a level headed discussion about what was bugging me. Other than that, though, hunky dory! I think I am learning a lot being in service to the Monday night meeting, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Started an herb garden! YES. FINALLY. Robert took me to a Farmer's Market on Sunday, saw me gazing longingly at some rosemary and lavender plants, and promptly set the wheels in motion. Heck, when I was clearing out our little patch of dirt I came across two good size earthworms, one for each new plant! It was fun digging around in the dirt, I gotta say. I hope to start learning more about gardening, maybe make a little witchy herb and vegetable garden. I have high hopes...!
I think that about does it for now. I hope all of you who read this are well, are happy, and finding good reasons to enjoy your day!
Reality is for people who can't handle drugs.