Post by caressa on May 25, 2008 8:16:28 GMT -5
Food for Thought
Delayed Gratification
One of the advantages of maturity is the ability to delay gratification of desires and needs. It is this ability, which makes possible the achievement of long-range goals and plans. We compulsive overeaters have permitted childish demands for immediate satisfaction to drive us into addictive habits. We still have some emotional growing up to do.
When we come to the OA program, we accept a reasonable plan for the gratification of our appetite and hunger. We know that we will eat three times a day, and we choose our food. As our appetite adjusts to eating smaller amounts less frequently, we may experience some discomfort. As maturing individuals, we can accept this discomfort in the interest of a healthier, more attractive body and a saner, more peaceful mind. Instead of having to have what we want now, this minute, we are able to wait until the appropriate time.
Working the Steps makes us aware of the emotional growing we need to do in order to have more satisfying relationships with other people. Here, too, we often have to delay immediate satisfaction in order to achieve larger, more important goals.
I pray for emotional and spiritual maturity.
This may be a reading for Over Eaters Anonymous, but it reminds me that the problem is me, not the substance that I use.
It is the me that is the problem (something I can stay stuck in) and the substance (alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, gambling, etc.) is just a symptom of my disease.
If I take that moment of feeling of using over to my Higher Power and ask for the strength to not pick up, I am not alone and empowered to do what I need to do for myself. Using is that quick fix and looking for that instant gratification and unless I have that spiritual connection, that gives me that moment to stop and think about what I am doing, which gives me the choice not to use, I will pick up. Just for today, I choose not to use and wish to stay clean and sober.
Thanks for letting me share.