Atheists & Agnostics Living Instead My psychologist recommended I go an OA meeting, but it took three months before I actually set foot through the door. I told him I didn’t think I could give up sugar and didn’t believe in god, so OA wouldn’t work for me. He laughed and told me that was the addict speaking. It took me those three months of … Read More
Newcomers Gifts of Hope and Help When I was 4 or 5 years old, I went to an AA meeting with my father. The only thing I remember about it is that they were having cake and my father would not let me stay for some. As with many early memories, this one lay dormant for many years. In the late 70s, I read an advice … Read More
Recovery Relationships Different Paths to Unity Editors note: Below are two world service contributions from OA members in support of our Strategic Plan. My name is Heidi, and I’m a compulsive overeater—a short sentence, but one I could not say for many years. During my childhood, I was often alone because my parents worked full-time. My big sister did well in school, and my parents always … Read More
Meetings Tools & Concepts A Tendency to Overshare I’ve done it, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it: we spend the first twelve minutes or so of a fifteen-minute qualification telling members how awful things used to be (as if they don’t already know!) and then about two minutes sharing what happened to change us and one minute on what we are like now. Don’t get me wrong. I … Read More
Share It Spiritual Relief As a newcomer in OA, I have been very grateful for all the members who write for Lifeline and create our OA books and pamphlets. Reading the literature produced by these members and attending my weekly meetings is helping me find my way, one Step at a time. One particular article that speaks to me is “Peaceful Progress,” the Spiritual … Read More