Thinking about the Steps

Hi All,

I'm up late and thinking about the Steps and writing down a quick thought or two about each one. When I looked at it I thought, what the heck, I'd send it to the group. There are so many ways of looking at the Steps and we all inevitably come to terms with them in our own way.

1. Admit to my deepest self that I cannot control my eating on my own. I can’t fix a problem without naming it or understanding how deep it goes.

2. Become open to the possibility that there is someone or something outside of myself that may be able to help me heal. I sure haven’t had much luck doing it alone. I need help.

3. Decided to trust that outside source of help and become willing to follow their guidance. (this could be a home group plus recovery literature and a doctor) who's to say but me.

4. Through introspection and writing tried to figure out just how my eating disorder has affected me and those around me. I don’t want to keep repeating the same patterns that always ended up triggering a binge. It's also a good time to identify any assets I have for my recovery. Tools and skills that will help me to continue to make healthy food choices and heal.

5. Shared some of this junk with another human being who will help me forgive myself and offer insights from their own experience. They say we are only as sick as our secrets.

6. Became willing to let go of the old ways of doing things I wrote about in Step 4, they didn’t work anyway.

7. Asked for more help now that I have identified some specific areas to work on. I can learn new coping skills.

8. From what I’ve learned so far, made a list of people who may have been harmed in some way due to my disordered and compulsive eating and became willing to set things right. Don't forget to forgive myself too. It's an illness not a weakness.

9. Made amends with these people to patch up my relationships if possible. I don’t want to have a bunch of garbage from the past hanging over my head. I want to get rid of any guilt and resentments that are eating at me.

10. Get in the habit of examining my own behavior and reactions to life on a consistent basis and learn that it is ok to apologize when I have stepped on someone else’s toes.

11. Made a practice of doing whatever is needed to improve my conscious contact with my higher and/or helping power(s) and to quiet my mind and get in touch with my inner-self where my best wisdom is.

12. Because my life has improved I find that the best way to maintain my recovery is to help others to heal. Keep putting my recovery first by continuing to live the 12 Steps and grow as an individual.

Love, Dave Dec 20, 2000