Steps Try Attraction By admin Posted on September 1, 2019 2 min read 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr “No-Apologies ‘Carefrontration’” (May/ June 2019, pp. 8–9) gave me pause, such that I reread it several times. I found the approach a bit troubling. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to make another person become abstinent. I don’t believe that is what the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts of OA Service tell me to do. Step One says we admit we are powerless. Acknowledging I was powerless over food was only the tip of the iceberg of my powerlessness. Step Twelve says, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry the message to other compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” We tried. Tradition Eleven reminds us that it’s “attraction, not promotion.” I ask myself, “Is the person who is suffering attracted to what I have?” If I read through any Step, Tradition, or Concept, I don’t think I’d find any principle supporting my power over another. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to exert power; it just means I don’t have any. Because most of my close relationships are with people in recovery, I have found it vital to the health of these relationships that I seek ways to let go and let God. Even though it is heartbreaking to watch another hurt himself or herself with food, I don’t give up on loving or supporting that person who still suffers. I continue to abstain and show up at meetings, where I can be of service—but I can’t make anyone do anything. — Anonymous
