![](https://esh.oafootsteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/self-love-1.jpg)
“We will love you until you can love yourself.” – Program Slogan
I was entirely convinced that I was unlovable before I came to OA. I might have pretended that I had love for myself and others, but self-loathing was the core of my being. I was always on guard, expecting everyone to discover the ‘real me’ and would then, of course, they would reject me. Or, I would demonstrate the ‘real me’ so that they WOULD reject me, to justify my own feelings about myself. One way or the other, I contrived to live an isolated life as a compulsive eater, entrenched in this disease, making every attempt to mask the pain I felt.
Little did I know that there was a solution in the hands of this program for me, even a promise of something I couldn’t possibly have imagined for myself. There were those in OA that demonstrated their love for me, even before I could! It was unfathomable to me then. They accepted me for who I was. They wanted to hear what I had to share, and related to what I shared. They were there for me in every way possible. I could reach out, and I was welcomed in ways I had never experienced before.
As they listened to me, I began to listen to them. As they loved me, I began to see myself through their eyes, and the miracle unfolded! I began to love myself! The love that grew in my heart for my fellows, especially as I continued to work my own program, began to grow in my heart for myself also!
I realized that at last, I was no longer alone. Gradually, I became more and more ‘lovable’… Allowing myself to feel loved not only by my fellows, but finally able to accept the love from my Higher Power that brought the healing I so desperately needed. The love that I was shown was like a seed in my heart that has since grown into a magnificent, ever-blooming flower! I am so grateful to those fellows. This is a miracle I never expected! I no longer have to pretend. I am loved, and I am able to love!
-Inspired by Voices of Recovery, pg. 242 {August 29th}
Submitted by: Anonymous
©2024 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
All Rights Reserved. Voices of Recovery excerpt pg.242 ©2002 Eight Edition c.2017; property of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
Did you enjoy this article? We would encourage our members to use this post, and others like it, at their meetings, or for private reflection. We also encourage you to share this post to other fellows to help the compulsive eater who still suffers. Please let us know if you have an idea for an article or an upcoming theme, or have any questions or suggestions. Email our editorial staff at [email protected].
The experience, strength, and hope expressed in this article, reflect the individual OA members and does not represent OA as a whole. Other OA groups and service bodies are welcome to reprint articles from Experience, Strength & Hope Newsletter without permission. When reprinting from other OA newsletters, be sure to credit the source.