Service Saved by Speaking By admin Posted on August 2, 2016 4 min read 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Tonight, I gratefully received a one-year medallion for abstinence. One year ago, I wouldn’t have thought I would be here, enjoying a previously unknown level of serenity and relief from 35 pounds (16 kg) of exhausting weight. One thing that has helped me maintain this abstinence is service. When I was about three months abstinent, there came a day of unusual struggle with some life and relationship challenges. I could feel my inner addict beginning to plan an epic binge. My mind kept a growing list of all the foods I was going to buy. I asked my inner addict how she would feel about gaining weight, but in that moment, weight gain didn’t matter as much as my desire for the instant gratification of food. I asked how it would feel if my family and friends, who had been so supportive of my recovery, found out I had blown my hard-won abstinence. But the food lust was still stronger than any embarrassment I could imagine. Then I remembered I had signed up for my first speaking opportunity at one of the meetings I attend. This meeting requires speakers to have three months of current, back-to-back abstinence. “How would you feel,” I asked my food-obsessed addict, “about going into that meeting and crossing your name off the speaker slot?” The realization that I would be letting down others made me pause. I thought about how much the talks others gave had helped me finally feel I wasn’t alone and gave me hope for the first time in my life. I felt deep gratitude for members who shared their stories and trust, and the idea of not giving something back to them stopped me in my tracks. I am grateful to say that my service commitment got me past this period of temptation. Service is one of the biggest keys to my recovery. When I prepare to share with others, I am solidly focused on the Steps and other aspects of my program, so service helps me just as much as others. I feel a smile in my heart when I share my experience, strength, and hope and then find it has been helpful to another food addict. Service is a privilege and a pleasure for me, and the rewards have been beyond my wildest dreams. — Anonymous
