Embracing pink in Addictive Eaters Anonymous

At the height of my addictive eating, at my grossest weight, I could not stand the colour pink. I felt repulsed wearing pink because it highlighted and illuminated my heavy set body.

Living life in colour: A new way of living in Addictive Eaters Anonymous

Today I woke early in the morning, dressed in the dark and came downstairs to call my sponsor. After receiving an engaged signal, I went to the bathroom and saw that my slippers and bed socks were pink. My dressing gown is one hairy, fluffy, pink hooded coat. My glove body scrubs are pink and my bath towel is pink. I smile and thank God for the results of sobriety - for no longer having a massive frame, but being a normal size. I thank God for my health, my energy and the strength to wake up early in the morning to ring those members who really have the recovery I seek, I need and choose to cultivate. I ring my sponsor again and I’m able to share with her the delights of the previous 24 hours and my plans for the upcoming day, because I know that God is with me and that in order for me to remain sober and grow in effectiveness (Step 10), I must continue to serve others.

Serving Others, Living Fully

I’m pleased to say that yesterday I received a voice message from a newcomer so I look forward to ringing her back today. I look forward to receiving other calls from other members who may ask for my help or enquire how I am maintaining my sobriety and continuing to grow. After speaking with my sponsor, I rang another long timer and was pleased to get hold of her. She shared that she’d been on vacation on a boat and that she’d returned home for another three days rest before returning to work. I’m happy for her having a full life, a fun life with her family and friends. There is always time for fun and activities alongside service to others in Addictive Eaters Anonymous (AEA). Having a social life is not separate from recovery: rather it runs hand in hand with the programme and is entwined in this way of life.

Finding joy and gratitude in sobriety

After my phone calls, I read the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as well as two other books by spiritual authors because there are no shortcuts. I have to continue to build on Steps 10, 11 and 12. I cannot afford to stand still in my efforts to grow spiritually, emotionally and mentally. After I finish making my morning phone calls and being still with readings, I will go back to bed. It’s the weekend and I enjoy a little bit of a lie in before breakfast. After breakfast, I will receive calls from other members who choose to ring me. Later my husband and I will probably go for a walk into the city centre or along the beach. That is our usual practice on Sundays and tonight we’ll go to the cinema. Today I remembered to thank God as I looked in the mirror at my pinkness. I thanked God for my energy, my strength, the fun in my life and the capacity to live life on life’s terms without eating addictively and without painkillers or alcohol or anything mind altering.