Print Preference I got my voice in Overeaters Anonymous. No one wanted to listen to me at 304 pounds (138 kg). They seemed to think I had no right to speak or they didn’t have to listen. If I couldn’t control my eating, it must’ve meant I wasn’t smart. Well, I would now like to use my voice to tell you and everyone … Read More
A Great Help I just wanted to tell you that I got abstinent reading the March 2019 issue of Lifeline, having not been abstinent in three years. I also wanted to mention what a great help Lifeline has been, because I can’t get to meetings right now. I look forward to every issue and read it from cover to cover. It will help … Read More
Better Defined After reading about the new definitions for “abstinence” and “recovery” approved by the World Service Business Conference 2019, I had a couple of questions: 1) What were the original definitions? 2) What were the reasons for changing the definitions? The 1988 WSBC approved this first Statement on Abstinence and Recovery: “According to the dictionary, the word ‘abstain’ means to refrain … Read More
A Great Invention: The OA Convention It’s been a few years since our 2016 World Service Convention in Boston, and I’m very much looking forward to the next one! Ever since my first Convention in Los Angeles in the early 80s, I’ve found these events truly exciting and have attended many since then. Whether it’s the regional or world service level, I’ve probably become what we … Read More
Make My Needs My Wants I’ve been in OA since September 1983. I helped start a local retreat in the 1990s, which I’ve attended now for many years. In 1998, I heard someone at the retreat say that they could be abstinent 100 percent of the time, and somehow that really hit home. That same year, the retreat leader emphasized looking at my part in … Read More
Energizing Guide I’ve been an active member of Overeaters Anonymous for thirty-one years, and I’m maintaining a healthy body weight. Over the years, I have worked the Twelve Steps and learned to live the Principles. It was so exciting at the 2016 World Service Convention in Boston to see the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide revealed for purchase. Of … Read More
Retreats Revitalize Renewal, revival, resurgence: these are all emotions I experienced this weekend at the annual retreat sponsored by my intergroup. It was held at the foot of Mount Beacon, a tranquil place of beauty in the Hudson Valley of Upstate New York. The bright, sunny facility had numerous comfortable rooms where we met for breakout sessions and meditations. The beautiful grounds … Read More
Courage and Magic I love OA retreats and workshops. I want to tell my OA fellows to jump in, don’t hesitate, make the commitment, and just go! I sometimes hesitate, but once I’ve gotten up the courage to commit to a retreat, magic happens! I show up and participate, just as I do in my OA recovery. I connect with people like me … Read More
Heart Full of Gratitude When I think about the next World Service Convention it takes me back to the exhilarating experiences I had at the 2016 Convention in Boston. Over 1,000 OA members from all over the world gathered in one place! I received many gifts from that weekend. My emotions were on alert because my roommate practiced a different food plan approach than … Read More
Just Go I’ve been in OA since December 1982 but did not attend a World Service Convention until 1997. I went to intergroup and Region Six conventions. I chaired local conventions and was a keynote at a regional convention outside of Region Six. Somehow, I didn’t pay much attention to any other events. Each year, I would be asked about going to … Read More