Sponsoring Tools & Concepts A Good Sponsor Wannabe My sponsorship style is patterned after the way I was sponsored: I try to be gracious, kind, and compassionate. I also attempt, as my sponsor does, to match my style of sponsoring to the needs of the sponsee—not always an easy task—and I have found this approach often needs tweaking as my sponsee and I go along. The specifics of … Read More
Steps Story at Ten Step Ten – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. A Tenth Step inventory is one day of my story. Any harms have I done? Did I help anyone? Judged others, “If only . . .?” Offered hope to the lonely? To old grudges cling? Or self-pity’s song sing? My duties remiss in? Did … Read More
Abstinence Day In and Day Out I was “struck abstinent” on April 20, 2016. I used to think being struck abstinent meant it was permanent, but it isn’t. I work very hard to maintain my abstinence. Abstinence for me means eating three meals plus two snacks daily, with no sugar, fast food, or anything from my “red light” list. This is my action plan: On Sundays, … Read More
Higher Power Perseverance, Even When When I got into program, I weighed about 240 pounds (109 kg), well over my target weight of 190 pounds (86 kg). I was bingeing and drinking too much alcohol, plus I was mildly depressed. I thought my spiritual life was okay, but really it was a cycle of small peaks and deep valleys. I’d get some abstinence, but then … Read More
How OA Changed My Life Working It I have been in the rooms of OA for over eight years. The feeling of being recovered eluded me until recently—but now, through fearlessly and fully working the Twelve Steps, I have finally found the joys and promises of Overeaters Anonymous. Just like many others who share this addiction, I am a true people pleaser and always want to be … Read More
Steps Step 10: Dirty Laundry I was in the launderette flicking through one of their magazines when I saw something I quite liked. “This is just a secondhand magazine,” I thought. “It won’t matter if I rip this page out and take it home.” I tore out the page discreetly, hoping no one would see. (The first sign of dishonest activity: secrecy!) That evening as … Read More