[judijo]

I have been thinking a lot about my spirituality. After reading about Kenya going back to church recently and Bonnie and her struggles with her son's addictions and her struggle with sugar, it has provoked me to write about things of a spiritual nature.

I am an old 12-stepper. I attended OA meetings for years, off and on. At one time I could recite the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous by heart, replacing the words "alcohol" and "drinking" with "food" and "eating compulsively". I wrote, revealed, and sponsored inventories (if you have been involved in 12 step, you know what I am talking about).

In 12 step, the first step for the addict is admitting to the addiction. The second step is believing that a "Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity".

When our lives are insane, we cannot focus. Daily activities which most people take for granted are no longer able to happen without drama taken to Shakespearean proportions. When our lives are insane, we cannot see simplicity. We are jealous of those who can "let go" of certain life situations of which they have no real control. We can't understand those who just fix something rather than collapsing in a heap over it all.

Now to the third step....When we release our will to a "power greater than ourselves" (I am using lower case here, because many are not ready to consider that power to be God or a god); whether it be trust in God, or going to a medical professional who has wonderful crisis-coping medications that were not available 10 years ago, or to a therapist or counselor who can help guide us in family crises; something immediate and for many, something wonderful happens. Focus returns.

!Warning! Religion spoken from this point forward! !Warning!

Humility is a, well, humbling thing. LOL

I am a Baha'i. My noon prayer in part reads, "I testify...to my powerlessness and to Thy might; to my poverty and to Thy wealth".

ALL religious text reminds us our only reason for existence is to get to know and to worship God. It is through His grace that we exist, and it is through His grace and guidance that we heal, through prayer, knowledge, and wisdom; and we influence others to live and heal as well, through ministry and good deeds.

Through God's grace we are restored to sanity. For us emotional eating WLS'ers, we are able to remember the rules of the pouch. We recognize sugar is the poison...that a nutrient-deficient carb is also poison. We feed our temples the way it should be...with the rewards God has given us to survive and THRIVE...That is His true intention for us...We are brought on this earth to THRIVE.

Wow. Thanks for the rant. I have been badgering my kid since I woke up this morning for computer time to offer this, as I have been thinking of you all with this in mind since last night.

As always, your mileage may vary.

[Kenyar]

that was wonderful and makes complete sense. thank you for sharing it.

[GinaGurl]

thanks for sharing it makes sence to me

[Janice Carol]

Thanks for sharing Judijo.

[Queenofthenile]

Amen sister ( I don't know what the Bahai say). I agree with what you said. Love the religious warning sign LOL

[judijo]

Originally Posted by Queenofthenile

Amen sister ( I don't know what the Bahai say).

Baha'is say "Ya Baha'ul-Abha!", which means "Oh Glory of the Most Glorious!"

I have said that in public and when questioned, I say, "It means Hallelujah," which is actually true, as that is Hebrew for "Praise Yah (Yahweh, or God)"

[Jill]

Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit! (Bidden or unbidden God is present) Carl Jung. God is always here with us, whether we want him around or not -- he's just waiting for us to talk to him, whenever we are ready -- he is ready. Good for you! Keep talking!

[PamM]

Hi,
Even though we are not of the same "religion" and my surgery isn't until 2-3-09 I loved your post. I want to print it and hang it on my fridge. You are right, GOD only wants the best for us and being fat, eating unhealthy, etc...is not HIS best.

Your words I am quite sure will inspire me for a long time to come.

Thanks!
Pam M.

[clancythecamper]

Thanks for the thought and effort you put into this In another post today I was venting about my inability to say no to certain foods ~ admittedly, if I were obedient, I'd never have been in this mess to begin with. It is very comforting to know that God is in control, ultimately, no matter how much I goof up. Also, that I am not alone in my struggles.

[DeMarie]

Very nice - thanks for sharing.