Focus & Routine

Before OA, my total focus and routine always was on food. For almost 57 years it was my main focus; everything else took a back burner. The result was my health, my relationships, my home, my son and especially me, were totally neglected.

Once I admitted my powerlessness and was completely honest about it, change happened. I had to realize that my alcoholic foods had to go; I knew I couldn’t do it. I tried over and over and could NOT stop. I had an allergy to the body and compulsion of the mind where I would
NEVER, EVER become a normal eater. I knew I could not do anything to help myself. I had tried everything. Yet as an insane woman, I repeatedly tried over and over and over again, yet, getting same results. “I” tried, notice that “I”. I still was holding onto my ego, my control. When I finally in desperation surrendered EVERYTHING to my HP, then things changed.

A miracle happened. My cravings and desire for the alcoholic foods were gone instantly. I asked my HP for awareness of what to do next and with clarity He showed me. I learned to listen to my body and learned what it was like to feel. I dug into my program like a maniac because I needed this freedom from food to continue. I know I am a compulsive over eater. There is no cure but there is recovery, and I wanted it. I had had enough of the insanity and I was told the solution for my problem was in the 12 Steps.

I put my total focus on my program and dug in. It became my routine. I get up in the morning and 1st thing I do before my feet hits the floor is Thank my HP for another day. I ask for His awareness to do what He needs me to do. I ask for Him to keep my cravings for I don’t want them any more and I hear that little voice inside say, “Well work your program and I will “, and I smile because I know my HP will. I first sit down to write 3 pages of clear conscience writing in. A way of getting things out of me, clarifying things in my mind but most importantly, it’s a way I find answers from my HP. This is so important for me to do. If I know I have to go somewhere, I will get up earlier, so it gets done.

I then have an early phone conference call with several fellows where we do readings daily. Repetition and reaching out to others, helps me. Some mornings I listen to podcasts. What awesome shares that enrich my recovery.
I do service on a virtual meeting. Service enriches my recovery 10-fold.
I attend meetings once a week and am willing to travel with another fellow to visit others in our intergroup or at their meetings. Reaching out our hand to another is important for in that unity, my recovery is strengthened.

I am involved with Intergroup as their newsletter editor, I have been blessed with many gifts and I know I can share what I have been taught to do service.
I have two sponsees that are wonderful and in sharing with them, my own recovery strengthens. There is always something I can do to do help spread
the message, even if it is speaking to a clerk at a store.

My HP gives me opportunities all the time to share. I am committed to my recovery. I know how important it is to for me to keep focused and have a routine with my program, for if I don’t, my disease will find a crack and slither in. It is cunning baffling and powerful and I must stay awake.

The old me would make excuses, “oh I’m too busy…I don’t have time…my son comes first”. Well I make time, yes, my son means the world to me, but if I am in the food, how can I be a loving nurturing mom?
My HP is teaching me time management. SLOTH is no more.

My recovery is so important, I need to do what I have to, so the food monster doesn’t rear its ugly head. I am recovered for today but I am not cured. There is no graduation. I must keep my focus on recovery and my routine to compliment it, or I will be doomed and so will everything else in my life.

Thank you for my recovery.
-Melanie B., Truro

SOURCE: from oamig newsletter Nov 2019

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.