The Twelve Step way of life

I’ve been graced with thirty-six years in program and twenty-nine in abstinence. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I’ve been blessed with 10,585 one-days-at-a-time of abstinence. The Alcoholic’s Anonymous Big Book on page 85 says” It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.”  Substitute food for alcohol and compulsive eating for alcoholism, and it gets my attention to do whatever is necessary to stay in fit spiritual condition.
I have a rigorous plan each day to maintain this fit condition. The items have changed over the years, but my commitment has been to “going to any lengths” to do the discipline. 
Two of my daily reminders of fit spiritual condition are:

• The most spiritual thing I do all day is to weigh and measure my food. (This is how I do my food plan but could work with any abstinent food plan.)
• My abstinence is the most important thing in my life without exception.

These don’t sound “spiritual” as do prayer and meditation. But they are the gutsiest beliefs I go by to demonstrate that yes, I believe there is a better solution than compulsive eating, and I will have no doubts about my commitment.
I’ll end with gratitude for the Twelve Step way of life, and yes, after 36 years in program, much of my life is beyond my wildest dreams.

​Carrie A.