I’m overwhelmed with awe at the opportunities for a better life that were inspired and fostered in this simple but certainly not easy program.
“We will not regret the past not wish to shut the door on it” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, p. 83).
This is my third physical recovery in Overeaters Anonymous. I’ve been in the program, on and off, for 30 plus years. I had two solid physical recoveries where I got below 170 pounds (77 kg) but was not able to maintain my abstinence for more than three years, not so much from resting on my laurels as succumbing to dire straits. Life on life’s terms is challenging to say the least.
It was the death of my parents, unemployment, and worst of all, homelessness that stilted and damaged my physical recovery. But even through all of that, somehow I gained a connection with my Higher Power and the Fellowship, and that helped me during the worst of times to at least survive (though not abstinently) through the fear-ridden chaos of my crises.
At age 67, I have now been abstinent for over 60 days, defining my abstinence as three moderate meals a day without white flour or white sugar. I also have red light (can’t have), yellow light (can have on occasion), and green light (can often have) foods.
I work full time in retail and am currently seeking volunteer writing opportunities.
I have male and female friendships in my life and a loving family. I live an abundant and thankful life.
I never married—I think due to the ravages of the disease of compulsive eating and being dual diagnosis. I have bipolar disorder and was undiagnosed until my late 30s, which made life difficult until I got on the right medication. But some medications also caused increased appetite and weight gain which wreaked havoc with my abstinence.
But I have kept coming back to OA and am now in my third physical recovery, I’m overwhelmed with awe at the opportunities for a better life that were inspired and fostered in this simple but certainly not easy program. I have been promised a “life of sane and happy usefulness” (p. 130), and I live that belief in every way I can every day.
The Tools and Traditions have given me an unfaltering global positioning system (GPS) on how to navigate the trials and tribulations of a life well lived. I enjoy my moderate meals, but oh so much more, I enjoy all the life in between the morsels and bites! I love the real stuff of this world. I appreciate the struggle and am grateful to “ trudge the Road of Happy Destiny” (p.164) with such a profoundly persevering and endearing lot.
Thank you, Higher Power.
Thank you, OA.
Because of you,
I have a today.
—Donna, Massachusetts USA
