“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” – 2001© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., Fourth Edition, p.85. All rights reserved.
I am a compulsive overeater. I am an addict. I know I will never be cured. My crazy head can make me think I am, especially if I rest on my laurels.
What is a laurel? In ancient Greece, they were victory wreaths. They were a crown of real evergreens and placed on ones head to honor an achievement or fame. The thing is, these crowns didn’t last long because they were made of living evergreens. They soon withered and died. To rest on such a laurel would be futile. Same goes for resting on my spiritual program of action and not taking any further action for my recovery. If I do, I know my recovery would wither and die too.
I cannot be content with past successes. I must daily maintain my spiritual condition. I need to keep nurturing my recovery, especially my relationship with my Higher Power. I am not perfect. Many things need changing in me and there are many things for this addict to learn. I know it will take me a lifetime because I am a compulsive overeater and always will be.
There is a solution for my disease within the Twelve Steps. Living in those Steps daily is my only solution because I am an imperfect person. I need to trust God (Steps 1-3), clean house (Steps 4-9), and help others (Steps 10-12). Rinse and repeat! My spiritual awakening is a result from living in those Steps.
When I am disturbed, that alerts me that there is something that needs changing and I need to clear the crap away and take action.
All I have is a daily reprieve, which is contingent on my spiritual fitness.
-Anonymous
©2026 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
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