FOOD FOR THOUGHT- OA/AUGUST 2014

[MajestyJo]

Sunday, August 17, 2014

You are reading from the book Food for Thought

Punishing Ourselves

Most of us have been carrying around a load of guilt. We felt guilty about overeating and periodically used dieting as a form of self-punishment. We felt guilty about not being perfect, and we felt guilty unless we said yes to everything that everyone expected of us.

In this program, we learn to accept the fact that we are human and not perfect. Through the Steps, we are able to get rid of unnecessary guilt and make a fresh start each day. We do not need to continue to punish ourselves for past mistakes, either by overeating or by denying our legitimate rights as individuals.

Abstinence gives us freedom from compulsive overeating and freedom from self-punishment. We give our bodies what they need, and we also nourish our minds, hearts, and spirits. In our fellowship and in our contact with God as we understand Him, we experience the Power of love which wipes out guilt.

I am glad to learn that self-punishment is no longer necessary.

It is so important to take ourselves off the flogging tree. No one beat me up more than I beat up myself, and in my case, that took some doing. It isn't just about physical and cutting, but mental and emotional abuse.

I not only had to learn to love myself, I had to learn to like me too.