Step 6 of Overeaters Anonymous – Ready & Willing

As part of my continued Ode to the 12 Days of Christmas for Bulimics and Anorexics this post is about Step 6 of Overeaters Anonymous, which reads:

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

I like to call this the “ready and willing” step of the 12 Steps of Overeaters Anonymous.  I don’t believe lasting bulimia recovery is ever possible because someone wants it for you or for another person.  All the hope and prayers in the world won’t help you find your way to recovery until you’re ready and willing to do something about it.

When I think of the lowest of lows I’ve had with my bulimia and those I’ve read in others’ bulimia stories that’s when this step really hits home.  I have found that my biggest breakdowns have lead to the greatest breakthroughs, too.  When you’re in the depths of your addiction and things seem so bleak, so dark, and it’s unimaginable that life can possibly get better is when we sort of give up – or better when we give in.  We admit we’re (finally!) ready to have some help with this dang eating disorder.  Our way is clearly NOT working.  My addicted way of living is so uncomfortable or making me so unhappy that I eventually become “entirely ready” to try something new.

The sad thing about an addiction is once you’ve had recovery you can look back and say to yourself, “Gosh, if I’d just given in earlier I wouldn’t have wasted all those years.”  Relax – your life is unfolding perfectly.  When you’re ready and willing to give in to recovery in your life you’ll find that things actually get better.  If you’re not willing to live life differently, then don’t hope for recovery or for lasting bulimia recovery.  Going into recovery for another person or because you think you can be strong willed about the whole not binging and purging thing isn’t going to work.   Your will may be strong, but your willingness comes from a different place.  The vision you have for yourself and your life will dictate the direction you go in at this point.

For some people, being ready and willing to release their addiction can feel light and easy.  When you’re really, truly ready it is not hard to make the switch to non-addicted.  I didn’t say it’s easy, but it’s not hard.  There’s no effort.  Your heart knows the direction you want to go in so the choices that come up for you become easier to make because you’ve already said you’re willing to give in to change and started seeing yourself as a recovered bulimic.

Ask yourself this week…

What will my life be like if I turn it all over to Source?

If you’d like to share your comments or feedback on my interpretation of this (step 6 of overeaters anonymous), please feel free to leave a message below.

Get ready for my next post – Step 7 of Overeaters Anonymous(OA).  Here’s a preview:

 Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.