Recovery Working the Program I Stayed Abstinent A favorite OA phrase of mine is “willing to go to any length” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 58). Practicing this has helped me stay abstinent, which for me is not eating foods with refined sugar listed in the first four ingredients, for twenty one and a half years. For me, this phrase means: Attending at least two OA meetings … Read More
Recovery Relationships Apply Love “What we do have to offer is . . . a Fellowship in which we find and share the healing power of love” (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, p. 1). I recently shared my experience, strength, and hope regarding responding to someone who pushes my buttons. I shared how I literally apply love. When … Read More
Fellowship Recovery IDEA Activity: Pen a Principle I have been in Overeaters Anonymous five and a half years and abstinent for more than eighteen months. I do not weigh myself, but the clothing I had last year still fits. I am so grateful for Overeaters Anonymous. At our International Day Experiencing Abstinence celebration last November, we did group activities working with program Principles. My group’s Principle was … Read More
Gratitude Recovery Gratitude Building For as long as I can remember, I carried so many of the world’s burdens on my shoulders. I worried about gas prices, nuke attacks, and the stupid things the men in my life did. I worried that I was ugly and couldn’t wear stylish clothes because they didn’t come in size “triple-Z.” I felt the need to share these … Read More
Share It Principle Placement I am a Lifeline subscriber and can’t imagine ever not being one. Everything about the magazine is wonderful. The talent and work put into its production is such a service. I still have my old OA Brown Book and the OA Twelve and Twelve I purchased in 1991. A few years ago, in my Twelve and Twelve, I wrote in by hand each … Read More
Recovery An Everyday Clean Whenever I’m frustrated in my program or in life, or when my selfish, lazy self wants an easy way out, I try to remember that abstinence is like cleanliness. One bath, one toothbrushing, one housecleaning doesn’t last for a week, month, or year—certainly not for a lifetime. Each day I must work at cleanliness if I want the benefits. My … 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
Keep Coming Back Relapse Courage to Persevere I first went to an OA meeting in February 1990, when a student of mine took me with her. It wasn’t an easy thing for her, admitting to her teacher that she had an addiction. Her courage taught me a lot. I couldn’t believe the First Step before I first took it—that I was powerless over food and my life … 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
Fellowship Recovery For the Good of All The OA group conscience meetings I’ve attended that were successful allowed members to practice recovery principles in an open, orderly manner with surrender to a Higher Power and the goodwill of all OA members. Successful group conscience meetings were announced ahead of time at regular meetings. They used the Suggested Format for a Group Conscience Meeting available at oa.org and … Read More