mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com (Mike Shawaluk) (01/17/90)
From "For Today", a daily meditation book from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. -- January 13 Many strokes overthrow the tallest oaks. John Lyly If I slip, I will try again. Practice makes perfect, and I expect to practice abstinence until I "get it." What is the alternative? It's an encouraging sign to be able to give myself a chance to go back and do things differently, without judgment or self-condemnation. For example, did I really hear -- and act upon -- program suggestions and slogans such as "half measures availed us nothing"; "willing to go to any lengths"; "keep it simple"; "one day at a time"? Whether I am struggling with abstinence or personality defect, those are words on which I can rely. FOR TODAY: I will not waste time blaming myself, but instead, try again. -- - Mike Shawaluk "Rarely have we seen a mailer -> DOMAIN: mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com fail which has thoroughly -> UUCP: ...!uunet!marque!lakesys!mikes followed these paths." -> BITNET: 7117SHAWALUK@MUCSD
mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com (Mike Shawaluk) (01/17/90)
From "For Today", a daily meditation book from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. -- January 14 A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud. Ralph Waldo Emerson Talking about feelings is essential in Overeaters Anonymous. When I go to an OA meeting, the people there are like close friends -- whether I know them or not. The more open and honest I can be when I share, the better I feel and the greater my chances of recovery. One member gave away a fifth step and was stunned by an immediate lifting of the severe depression he had been suffering for months. OAs are as different as any group of people anywhere. But we have one thing in common that bonds us instantly: we are compulsive overeaters. FOR TODAY: There is no one I can talk to who will understand me better than an OA member. -- - Mike Shawaluk "Rarely have we seen a mailer -> DOMAIN: mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com fail which has thoroughly -> UUCP: ...!uunet!marque!lakesys!mikes followed these paths." -> BITNET: 7117SHAWALUK@MUCSD
mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com (Mike Shawaluk) (01/17/90)
From "For Today", a daily meditation book from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. -- January 15 Competitions are for horses, not artists. Bela Bartok The art of living is probably the highest form of personal expression: one is not concerned with who is behind or ahead, but rather with the enjoyment of now. There is no waiting for a payoff, for that day when certain things are settled or when that ship comes in. The art of living requires that I like myself, accept what I am and stop wishing I were otherwise. There is no room for pretense. People who have developed the art of living are sweetly loving and deeply sensitive while maintaining their independence. They are as respectful of their own values and opinions as those of others. FOR TODAY: In looking to others in the program for help, I am careful not to deny my own right of discovery. -- - Mike Shawaluk "Rarely have we seen a mailer -> DOMAIN: mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com fail which has thoroughly -> UUCP: ...!uunet!marque!lakesys!mikes followed these paths." -> BITNET: 7117SHAWALUK@MUCSD
mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com (Mike Shawaluk) (01/17/90)
From "For Today", a daily meditation book from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. -- January 16 Humor is a prelude to faith and Laughter is the beginning of prayer. Reinhold Niebuhr One of the best things I can hope to find at an OA meeting is laughter. There is something so pure, so cleansing and healing about laughing at ourselves, it is truly akin to prayer. When I laugh at the easy humor of a speaker, I am aware of that sense of awe one feels in the presence of profound mystery. FOR TODAY: Thank God for the gift of laughter, and for those who carry the message on its wings. -- - Mike Shawaluk "Rarely have we seen a mailer -> DOMAIN: mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com fail which has thoroughly -> UUCP: ...!uunet!marque!lakesys!mikes followed these paths." -> BITNET: 7117SHAWALUK@MUCSD
mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com (Mike Shawaluk) (01/18/90)
From "For Today", a daily meditation book from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. -- January 18 The best way out is always through. Robert Frost I used to take the long way around, avoiding problems, escaping feelings. In OA I heard it called the easier, softer way. But is my way really easier? No! It is the hard and painful, life-of-hell way. I am grateful for the awareness of old patterns. Today I count on God's help to remove those faults I expose when I take the honest way out of my difficulties. FOR TODAY: Practice of steps four through nine prepares me for facing rather than trying to escape my problems. -- - Mike Shawaluk "Rarely have we seen a mailer -> DOMAIN: mikes@lakesys.lakesys.com fail which has thoroughly -> UUCP: ...!uunet!marque!lakesys!mikes followed these paths." -> BITNET: 7117SHAWALUK@MUCSD