In an email I wrote last evening, I commented in some way, that it is time for me to have a more serene Christmas. I want to make some changes when the holidays come 'round again in 2007.

I used to attend an overeaters anonymous meeting quite regularly some years ago. We were a really close group. I first visited the group at the invite of a counselor I was seeing at the time. The funny thing is, we were not discussing weight issues during my sessions with her. She simply felt at that particular time in my life, the OA. meetings would benefit me. She never said why.

Lo and behold, on the first night I went, my counselor was there. See, I thought she was merely telling me of this meeting. I had no idea she was going to be there. Then I thought perhaps she was leading the meeting or something; I didn't know anything about OA., AA., NA. etc., that there is no #1 leader. As I sat listening, I came to realize my counselor was a member of the group, and not a leader, or coach, or whatever. Cool. I suppose she knew her own group well enough to know it would be a healthy place for me to establish trust with others. For various reasons in my life, I have had issues with trust. Who really hasn't though? Also, my counselor could see that I was obviously overweight; and, she knew I was not an alcoholic or drug addict. Sooo, OA. was the meeting for me; though several of us OAers visited AA. meetings. Several of us were adult children of alcoholics. It was good.

Sadly, our very close group split after about 5 years running. We all still talk about pulling the group back together everytime we run into one another. It was the best church (that wasn't a church in the way most think of church) I've ever attended in my life! All about life. All very real. No matter what, I will be bonded with those folks forever, and they with me. Our trust remains...

The Serenity Prayer has come to be part of my soul; and yet, I realize I don't allow it to rule when I need it the most. My new year's resolution is to take back the serenity prayer, and to read my For Today book, and to begin living it again.

I pray,

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can; and

the wisdom to know the difference. (familiar version)

 

Living one day at a time;                                                  

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right, if I surrender to His will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life,

and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.  (longer version of the prayer)