Anonymity Traditions Only through Anonymity When I first came into Overeaters Anonymous, I quickly learned to respect anonymity: who I saw, who said what—none of that w…
Abstinence Newcomers Recovery Thirty Days! I’ve reached my twenty-ninth day of abstinence. Tomorrow will be my weighing day and my highly anticipated thirtieth day. I’…
Relapse & Recovery Steps Twelfth Step Within Reach Out: Support Within Every December 12, OA groups and service boards around the world are encouraged to plan events for Twelfth Step Within Day, …
Recovery A Series of Miracles In 2011, I weighed 534 pounds (242 kg) and was unable to walk due to sepsis from an E. coli infection. When I was admitted …
lifeline Literature Thick and Thin Dear Lifeline, Thank you for being my steadfast companion over the decades and for being there for me through thick and thin…
lifeline Literature Some Sadness I am sitting at home on a beautiful, sunny day, yet I’m feeling a little sadness in my heart as I write my farewell message …
Recovery Shining Miracles Before I’d ever heard of OA or its Principles and practices, my only desire was to lose weight. I was tired and bloated and …
lifeline Literature Keeping Hope Alive I subscribed to the print Lifeline magazine almost continuously since I came to OA in 1976. In the 70s, meetings were scarce…
Abstinence Recovery Heard and Answered A month ago, I had a visit from my friend. We had been saying for a long time that we should pick a time for her to come vis…
Working the Program Beginning at Dusk Many ancient societies begin their day at dusk (i.e., the evening before). After I had been in Overeaters Anonymous for a wh…
How OA Changed My Life Recovery True Freedom When a fellow OA member suggested I reflect on what true freedom looks like for me, I discovered I could probably write a book. Before OA, I truly felt I already had it in the form of a solid career, … Read More
Higher Power Spirituality Stepping-Stones, Nuggets, and Gems Spirituality is the solution to our problem of powerlessness, and we find this solution in the Twelve Step program of recovery. I’ve experienced three stepping-stones in this process: Amen, Amends, Am… Read More
The Road Narrows My twenty-ninth birthday in OA is approaching, and it is cause for renewed reflection about my program. I spoke to my sponsor a week ago and mentioned to her that I was thinking of not taking a candle this year. Other OA members on their birthdays pitch about life changes: weddings, kids, jobs, financial gain, or acquisition of cars. I … Read More
Share It: Powerful Shares, Joyful Reading, Pages and Prayers Powerful Shares I wanted to share how sad I am to hear about the discontinuation of Lifeline. It has literally been a lifeline to me. I am one of the ones who answered your 2018 subscription appeal, and I recently renewed my subscription and will cherish every last issue. Thank you for the articles about “The Joys of Retreats and … Read More
Recovery Beyond Measure In a few days, I will celebrate thirty-eight years of recovery in OA. Today my goal is health, sanity, and wellness, not a size 8. Physically, my body has been a normal size for many years. G-d has removed the compulsion for what I call “the hard stuff”—the stuff you see at the grocery checkout counter. I have reached a … Read More