Steps Traditions Practicing Attraction Tradition Eleven: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication. Tradition Eleven encourages us to publicize our program without promoting it. We can use various forms of media to get the word out: billboards, internet, TV, and … Read More
Steps Tools & Concepts Traditions Acceptance Without Issue During any political election, I am especially thankful for OA’s Tradition Ten: “Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues.” I know I can go to a meeting and no one will talk about the candidates or the issues. I am very aware that some members are strongly supporting a policy that is different than mine. At other occasions outside … Read More
Traditions Not an Expert Tradition Eight: Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. This Tradition has two parts to it. First, “Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional.” As I’m writing on this, I’m realizing now that one of my sponsors was evoking this Tradition with me. In her professional life, she was trained to be a therapist/counselor. … Read More
Traditions So Much More Tradition Seven: Every OA group ought to be fully self supporting, declining outside contributions. Our Seventh Tradition has been an important one for me. For years, I put $1 in my meeting’s basket if I could afford it. Honestly, there were times when even that was a stretch, like when I was going to college at age 40, living on loans … Read More
Steps Traditions Principle Focus This morning, I picked up my OA Twelve and Twelve to read Tradition One because I needed help with a challenging situation at work. I know how well Tradition One works to keep meetings strong and united, and I needed help working as a team with a colleague. When a conflict or difference of opinion comes up, “Tradition One guides … Read More
Traditions Suggestions for Tradition Five Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose— to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers. Tradition Five is clearly stated. It’s the follow-up question that’s important: how are we supposed to do that? Here are some suggestions: Attend meetings regularly and participate by sharing and helping out when you can. Read OA literature and the … Read More
Traditions What We Have in Common Tradition Three: The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. When I first came into OA, almost thirty years and 200 pounds (91 kg) ago, I heard Tradition Three and had mixed feelings. First of all, I felt so low I wasn’t sure I wanted to be part of a club that would have me … Read More
Traditions Business Plan It was the end of the month, so I attended business meetings for the two groups I regularly attend. Business meetings can be challenging because we all care about our meetings but often have different perspectives and opinions. When a sensitive issue affecting the group is on the agenda, the discussion can become intense. I have an action plan for … Read More
Traditions Guided Out of Isolation Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity. I love how The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous reflects on Tradition One and talks about our isolation in the disease (pp. 109–117). I remember, about eight years ago, being surrounded by my loving friends and family but feeling completely miserable. I was … Read More
Traditions Anyplace Attraction Tradition Eleven—Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication. A number of years ago, I read in our literature some suggestions for ways to anonymously carry the Overeaters Anonymous message to still suffering individuals who could benefit … Read More