Rickicism No. 8
Some of us arrive at our Program and soon develop a fired-up frame of mind, determined to do well, but expecting miracles overnight. OA Longtimers know that it is probably not going to happen quite that way. Logic will tell you that it took some very poor self management of effort, resources and time to get ourselves to the point where we desperately needed the Program, having already exhausted all the fast fixes out there with which we had been bombarded on a daily basis, with ultimately depressingly negative results.
Our Program does not profess to be an instant solution but is one which does require some degree of dedication and work of the sort generally not appealing much to the chronically impatient compulsive overeater, who all too soon may be inclined to drop out. What a self-destructive loss of a priceless opportunity to improve mentally, spiritually and physically along lines that could vastly improve the rest of our lives!The answer to this dilemma is simply to take it easy as you go, trying to not be too impatient with or unduly hard on yourself, but on the other hand, repeating the gifts of the Program while being good to yourself at the same time. Enjoy the fellowship, participate fully in its meetings and activities, trust the Steps and your Sponsor and resolve to pursue a better lifestyle on all levels, on a daily basis, hand in hand with your Higher Power, whatever form that Power might take. It is certainly your choice.
In short, we should all strive to live well, laugh often and love much. You do have friends in the Program who share your concerns. Remember that such friends are like the stars-- you may not always see them, but you always know they are there. In OA, they are ready and waiting to share with you.
- Written by beloved OA fellow, Rick D., as published in the Foothill Intergroup Footnotes
