Tools & Concepts A Potent and Positive Influence After I’d been in OA about two months, stayed abstinent for more than thirty days, and finished my first three Steps, my meeting had a step-up ceremony. During it, my sponsor declared me ready to sponsor and gave me a sponsorship guide manual she’d assembled. “Sponsoring is a way of living Step Twelve,” she said. I thought, “Why do I … Read More
Tools & Concepts Professional Planning When I came into OA in July of 1995, I was working for a weight-loss company and terrified of losing my job because of my weight gain. I was following a diet plan, which is quite different from a plan of eating, and I had to report my food to my manager and weigh in each month. I was in … Read More
Sponsoring Tools & Concepts On Being Asked to Be Your Sponsor Now, everything is cool. We’re at that stage when trust, respect feel sure. We sense a link in struggle, pain, and hope. As we engage, things fall into place; we think in sync. But someday, I’m going to let you down, and then you’ll feel betrayed. I’ll be too late. I’ll fib. Put myself first. You’ll see a frown. Will … Read More
Recovery Working the Program Service Before, Service Now Service came to me before abstinence. I attended and participated in OA meetings, which is a form of service, before the compulsion to overeat was lifted from me. Relief from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors involves an ongoing learning with others in recovery that is guided by a Higher Power. Today, I am recovered from what seemed to be a … Read More
Service Tools & Concepts For Others and For Me Service is a big part of my recovery. My disease is one of isolation, and selfishness is a character defect of mine. By giving service, I am forced to interact with others and become selfless. I do things for others without expecting anything in return. It’s a whole new concept for me, doing favors with no strings attached! I started … Read More
Sponsoring Tools & Concepts Poem for My Sponsor Finally, the shame is beginning to melt, washed into simple awareness by the grace of your witness and understanding. Finally, I am not alone with my fear and grief. Finally, after all these long years, I have a companion for every occasion when I need reassurance, accountability, encouragement, forgiveness, or celebration of growth. Finally, I have a mirror for my … Read More
Tools & Concepts HOW I Do It I wonder if the Overeaters Anonymous Fellowship took a wrong turn back near the beginning. Like AA, we kept our program one of suggestions rather than requirements. But abstinence in AA is clear-cut: don’t drink alcohol. Abstinence in OA is vague and unspecified: “the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a … Read More
Telephone Tools & Concepts Interconnections When I first entered OA, I did not understand the interconnected web among the members. Someone gave me a daily readings book at my first meeting, but I never went back there. Years later, when I’d gained about 40 pounds (18 kg) and been warned I was pre-diabetic, I went to another meeting in a different city. I just listened … Read More
Tools & Concepts Writing Feeling Intentional I write this as the food is calling to me.” This quote from page 13 of A New Beginning: Stories of Recovery from Relapse strikes me as very intentional. The author has made a choice to pick up the pen instead of the fork. The story, “Caring for Myself,” first shares gratitude, then acknowledges the author’s need to do their … Read More
Meetings Tools & Concepts Talking Points At our meetings, before the meeting is opened up for sharing, someone always reads the statement on cross talk from the Suggested Meeting Format, so that members are aware of guidelines for sharing. Recently the leader of our meeting slipped: instead of asking for a volunteer to read the statement about cross talk, she asked, “Who would like to read … Read More