Peace, Peace, Peace - Day Five

Today's meditation was right on time. It was about releasing negative patterns and addictions. I like the discourse that went along with today's meditation that pointed out that we are all addicted to something. If it isn't a substance, we are addicted to the need for approval, control, perfection, etc.

I remember last year at the OA retreat someone mentioned that we are all born with a God-shaped hole. Some people fill it with God while others attempt to fill it with alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, relationships, etc. I remind myself of that God-shaped hole often and seek to only fill it with peace and love. Only one thing can fill that “hole” and make me whole: God.

I am very grateful for the gift of peace meditation brings into my life experience.

Making Peace with Stress - Day Three

A vibrant, healthy body; a quiet, peaceful mind; and a joyful spirit….Namaste!

Today's meditation was challenging. The body was tired and the mind kept wandering. I do want to keep in mind setting the intention to be at peace and in the present moment. I realize I waste a lot of energy being tense. I also realize this stems from being too attached to outcomes. I am not in control of anything. The sooner I accept the fact that I am powerless, the more joyful (and healthy) I will be. Stress has truly wreaked havoc on my spirit, mind, and body. I am so very grateful to God that I am returning to wholeness. My overall sense of well-being means I can live my life in peace and serenity. I want no-thing more and no-thing less. I deserve peace.

21-Day Meditation Challenge - Day Two

I noticed resistance and uneasiness during this meditation. I am not at peace with the ego. I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to reject the ego. I view it as the enemy. However, I like the idea of treating the ego with love and kindness. I am also very grateful for the awareness that I am at one with the Universe. There is no separation.

I am not defined by the things I own or don’t own. At first I was confused with the direction of the meditation. What does the ego and materialism have to do with health consciousness? Then, it dawned on me. It has everything to do with health and well-being. Our suffering begins in the mind and manifests in the body due to the ego and all its attachments. Things only have the meaning I give them. It is liberating!

How can I use this in my recovery? No attachment means less stress. Less stress means I will not be looking for relief through food.

21-Day Meditation Challenge

Today is the first day of the Chopra 21-Day Meditation Challenge. I will be blogging about my experience here. My intention in participating is to bring more awareness into my life and live in the present momemt.

Today's meditation was all about the mind-body connection. What we manifest in the mind, also manifests in the boday. We have the capacity to transform. This is a very powerful thought for me in terms of my compulsive overeating. Those thoughts and cravings I experience do not have to manifest themselves in my body. I do not have to act on those thoughts. Through meditation I can calm those thoughts.

The best thing I've learned through meditation is simply being aware of my thoughts. Being aware doesn't mean I have to act on any of my thoughts. Lately, I've been working on that pause between thought and action.

Anyhow, today's meditation reminds me that the key to my healthy body weight lies in my mind.

Today we did the So Hum meditation. I commit to repeating this mantra throughout the day to quiet the mind and relax the body.

February Update

I can’t believe I’ve been abstinent over 500 days. It is truly a miracle.
My program is going strong. Within the past three weeks, at least four people wanted me to sponsor them. So far, I’ve taken on an additional sponsee. I am very grateful to God to be able to pass on what I am learning and be of service to another. As much as I’ve had ups and downs with my sponsor, she has been such a blessing. I find myself sponsoring much the way she sponsors me.

I’m starting to get nervous. I’m so close to my goal weight. I try not to think about it. I’m just going to take it one day at a time and before I know it I will be there.

Isolation

Isolation
There’s a huge part of me that wants to go back into my shell. I hear, what is the use of opening up and letting someone in only to have your heart stumped on? It is only my dis-ease calling me. However, I hear the voice of God much louder saying, it’s okay. I will take care of you.

At today’s meeting, I surrendered my self-will. I also made a huge mistake. However, I am grateful to God I did not go through with my plan. I have to let God take care of this for me. If I try, I will only make things worse. I’m done with that.

I don’t have to be afraid to be vulnerable. I will not be afraid of sharing my feelings. What happened was more about the other person than it was about me. Yes, I played my role. However, I was honest and I was true. Love recognizes love.

The Rhythm of Life

The past couple of days have been very challenging. I’m finding it very hard to stay present. The good part is that I remind myself that my thoughts have no power and that I do not have to act them. The hurt and sadness will eventually pass; turning to food will not solve the issue. In fact, nothing will “solve” the issue because I have no control over it. I am powerless over people, places, and things. This thought frustrates me sooooo much but I must accept it if I want serenity.

“When life as it really is becomes a fact that I accept as naturally as I breathe, events lose their power to throw me off balance or disturb the basic rhythm of life.” I’m not sure where I found this quote or who said it but its meaning rings so true for me today. This, too, shall pass.