Tools & Concepts Sharing Stories Thank you for Lifeline magazine. My latest issue arrived two days ago, and, as always, it gave me insight, contact, Tools, and a feeling of connection. About fourteen years ago, I lived in Houston, Texas. I was sick of my obsessive eating behavior and sick of resorting to strict diets or fasts to make up for bingeing. I had heard … Read More
Higher Power Act As If What kind of a fool do you think I am? What’s the point of praying to God? But you say I need do no more than “act as if,” and he will respond? Such nonsense I have never heard; I close my ears to those willful lies. But you say, “That is his will; Try! You will see with your … Read More
Fellowship Tools & Concepts Be a Coach! The word “sponsorship” has connotations in the outside world that do not fit my understanding of being an OA sponsor. For example, in immigration, a sponsor is legally responsible for a person entering a new country; there could exist a patriarchal implication that the sponsor is somehow superior to the sponsee. The word “sponsor” seems to confuse OA members more than … Read More
Traditions Only Through OA After learning about humility, I became able to share more of my personal self with a group. This was a very different experience for me. Growing up, I’d been taught that outward appearances were the most important thing, and any problems I had should stay at home. Through recovery, I learned about sharing with others at a more intimate level, … Read More
Steps Self-Subtraction In a meeting many years ago, people with strong long-term recovery shared on the topic of placing Principles before personalities. They said they had learned, over the years, to focus on what was shared rather than who was sharing it. This reminds me of a slogan my spiritual teacher shared with me: “Peace equals this moment minus my opinion of … Read More
Fellowship Sharing from the Heart I vividly remember my first OA meeting, where people greeted me at the door, asked if I was new, and introduced me to others as they arrived. I had been to many commercial weight-loss places, so I was used to initial fanfare, but there was something different here. In addition to extending their hands, OA members extended their hearts. Once the … Read More
Recovery Around the World Together Around the OA Global Campfire Disparate yet one. Broken, but being made whole in the telling. Huddled around the campfire of our hearts. Finding a commonality, finding healing, finding wholeness. Warmed by interest, trust, and safety— our dreams and foibles uncovered. Winners and survivors despite our shortcomings. Diamonds in the rough sparkle as facets are revealed to the sun of understanding, identification, respect, and admiration. … Read More
Unity Day Lighting the Day Last February 28, about thirty-five OA members joined together at Milwaukee’s Dewey Center to honor the Principle of unity with a candlelight ceremony. All around the world OA members were celebrating Unity Day in their own ways. Our local Unity Day focused on Principles, Steps, Traditions, and promises. The Milwaukee Area Intergroup provided a setting with a spiral of unlit candles … Read More