Spirituality hasn't always been an important part of my life, as it is
today. I always believed in God, although as a child, I didn't really know what
that meant. I have experienced several "Egypts" in my 55 years, but one in
particular truly brought me closer to God and was the beginning of the spiritual
journey that I find myself on today.
In my late teens, I became overly concerned with my body image and dieting. I suffered for many years as a compulsive overeater. The pain of not being able to control my eating grew worse as my self-esteem plummeted. I gained weight and grew out of my clothes as I tried unsuccessfully to lose weight. I tried every possible weight loss program from shock treatments at the Shick Center to Weight Watchers. I even went to school in Israel in 1977 with a suitcase filled with liquid protein, with the intention of coming home from my Junior Year abroad "slim and trim." Well, I didn't come home "slim and trim." On the contrary, I came home heavier and more depressed then ever! One night, shortly after my return from Israel, and compulsively binging on everything I could find in my kitchen, I picked up the phone and called Overeaters Anonymous! From that day on, I had a new relationship with God.
I learned in Overeaters Anonymous that compulsive overeating was a three-fold disease - emotional, physical, and spiritual. I began to pray to God every morning, to help me abstain from compulsive overeating, the same way an alcoholic prays to stop drinking. I read spiritual literature every day. I found wonderful books that connected my Judaism to the 12 Step Recovery Program. I learned that I had the opportunity every day to connect to my Higher Power, whom I chose to call God. I had a note on my desk that said, "Dear Donna, I won't be needing your help today. Love, God."
I still say the serenity prayer every night and recite "Sheviti Adonai L'negdi Tamid" (I have placed God before me always) each morning as I begin my morning prayers and meditation. Today, I am thin and grateful. Grateful that my addiction to food brought me closer to God.
When I stepped through the doors of my first OA meeting, it was like the first step into the Red Sea. I am going through another Egypt in my life today. My marriage of 29 years is ending and once again, I stand at the Red Sea, ready to step into the waters of the unknown. But this time, I am not alone. I have the support and love from Rabbi Geller, Rabbi Aaron , Rabbi Zimmerman, Cantor Kliger, and my wonderful sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Barry Brucker! And of course, my faith in God has given me the courage to step into the Sea of the unknown!
In my late teens, I became overly concerned with my body image and dieting. I suffered for many years as a compulsive overeater. The pain of not being able to control my eating grew worse as my self-esteem plummeted. I gained weight and grew out of my clothes as I tried unsuccessfully to lose weight. I tried every possible weight loss program from shock treatments at the Shick Center to Weight Watchers. I even went to school in Israel in 1977 with a suitcase filled with liquid protein, with the intention of coming home from my Junior Year abroad "slim and trim." Well, I didn't come home "slim and trim." On the contrary, I came home heavier and more depressed then ever! One night, shortly after my return from Israel, and compulsively binging on everything I could find in my kitchen, I picked up the phone and called Overeaters Anonymous! From that day on, I had a new relationship with God.
I learned in Overeaters Anonymous that compulsive overeating was a three-fold disease - emotional, physical, and spiritual. I began to pray to God every morning, to help me abstain from compulsive overeating, the same way an alcoholic prays to stop drinking. I read spiritual literature every day. I found wonderful books that connected my Judaism to the 12 Step Recovery Program. I learned that I had the opportunity every day to connect to my Higher Power, whom I chose to call God. I had a note on my desk that said, "Dear Donna, I won't be needing your help today. Love, God."
I still say the serenity prayer every night and recite "Sheviti Adonai L'negdi Tamid" (I have placed God before me always) each morning as I begin my morning prayers and meditation. Today, I am thin and grateful. Grateful that my addiction to food brought me closer to God.
When I stepped through the doors of my first OA meeting, it was like the first step into the Red Sea. I am going through another Egypt in my life today. My marriage of 29 years is ending and once again, I stand at the Red Sea, ready to step into the waters of the unknown. But this time, I am not alone. I have the support and love from Rabbi Geller, Rabbi Aaron , Rabbi Zimmerman, Cantor Kliger, and my wonderful sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Barry Brucker! And of course, my faith in God has given me the courage to step into the Sea of the unknown!
