How OA Changed My Life Simple, Powerful Acts Since arriving in the OA rooms, I have a new understanding of forgiving myself and others. OA does not say I must be good or walk on my knees repenting. OA says: Make a list, go to meetings, share my despair and hear the despair of others, and listen to the solutions that each of us apply, one day at a … Read More
Fellowship Tools & Concepts Sponsorship I reach out my palm and you touch my heart. Together we make a valiant start. We guard against any halfway measure As we embark on this journey together. We’re raising the banner for spiritual living, Changing our actions from taking to giving. Our hands and our minds retreat from the fridge; The past becomes water under the bridge. Taking … Read More
Fellowship Tools & Concepts All Human I was enjoying a new relationship with a sponsor, and everything seemed to be going very well. I was preparing to do Step Five when it occurred to me that I might feel more comfortable doing this Step with a different person, someone other than my sponsor. I mentioned this to my sponsor in an email, but something I said (I may never … Read More
Relapse Telephone Connection Questions I’m blessed with over twelve years of abstinence after a horrific fourteen-year relapse. What did I do differently? I became more honest, willing, and open with my fellows and my sponsor. No longer do I try to look like I have it all together when I don’t, because that way of thinking leads me right back into the food. I … Read More
Steps Much in Common I came into program in May of 1985. I didn’t think I could possibly fit in. I was finished with diets, but my weight and eating were out of control. Thank God I found Overeaters Anonymous. I had been a yo-yo dieter all my life; I’m a sugar and carbs addict. I’d never understood my addiction, so every diet failed … Read More
Newcomers Telephone Happy Dialing When I first came to OA, I was in an emotionally desperate condition. After decades of stuffing myself with food, I was highly motivated to avoid feelings. Fear of reality ruled my life, but suddenly the substances I used to numb out were gone. I was in the toddler phase of learning to live life on life’s terms. Pretending I … Read More
Recovery Partner in Recovery When I was coming out of relapse six months ago, I used a practice that had worked for me before: getting a Partner in Recovery. A “P in R” is a peer in the program who is available for a daily check-in. I had learned this technique in Portland, Oregon, but since then had moved to Austin, Texas. At my … Read More
Traditions The Only Thing Left I am very grateful for OA’s Sixth Tradition. When I came into the rooms, I was angry and wanted to blame outside people, places, and things. I had operated most of my life using that reasoning. If I started a particular weight-loss program and it didn’t work, I could simply blame that program: “No wonder I’m still fat; their program … Read More
Fellowship Tools & Concepts Phone Phenomenon My Higher Power’s grace led me to phone meetings, and after participating in a holiday phone marathon, I was hooked. By now, I’m sure I’ve called in to thousands of phone meetings! This may seem like a lot, but it’s easy because meetings are almost always available—there are three hundred phone meetings registered right now on oa.org. I may call … Read More
Fellowship Tools & Concepts Pass It On My first few years in OA, I was working the Twelve Step program my own way. It didn’t work. I heard the suggestion to get a sponsor, so I did—several times— but I never bothered to talk to them. After four of the most painful years of my existence, having one foot in the Fellowship and the other pointing outward, … Read More