“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror, I can take the next thing that comes along.” . . . You must do the thing you cannot do.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
– For Today July 14th, page196 © 1982 by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thirtieth printing.
When I had read these lines, I thought of the not so nice experiences in my life. In the past, I have to admit, I didn’t handle things very well. In my early years, I really didn’t face fear, I ran from it because that’s all I knew. It was survival of the fetus, instead of facing; I ran. I hated confrontation.
Fear is a natural human emotion; we all feel it. When a saber tooth tiger is confronting us, it is good to have that fear, so it alerts us of danger so we can react appropriately. Not all circumstances are of the same level, but how we react to that emotion, if in fear, can determine the outcome of the situation.
FEAR; False Evidence, Appearing Real. Much of my fear I carried was in my head due to the result of improper information I received. That acerbated the fear in my head and the thought grew. Did that method help me? Perhaps in the moment, yes. But for the most part no. in running and hiding from that fear and in the build up, I just didn’t know how to cope, and so I turned to food for comfort. It became my only way to cope. Running from fear didn’t help me. It nearly killed me.
In coming to OA and learning a new way of living in the 12 Steps, I learned to take courage and face my fears. I am powerless over everything in my life, but I do have a Power outside myself who can do for me, what I can’t do. I see what is at play with the fear I have, I take courage and do the next best thing and take action. Is it uncomfortable? It sure is, but I TRUST. I know I will be OK no matter what.
I once heard it say, “Courage does not mean that we don’t know fear, rather we carry on in spite of being afraid. Courage does not always roar or never shed a tear; it allows us to face life without allowing hope to fade.
–inspired from For Today – Anonymous
– For Today July 14th, page196 © 1982 by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thirtieth printing.
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