Divisions create discord. Rarely does one set out to deliberately sow discord. Instead it is a byproduct of self-interest or self-centered fear. Unity of purpose and spirit results from new attitudes. The reason OA can have unity as an undergirding Principle is because we have the Twelve Steps, which transform our hearts, helping us focus on service done with humility. …

A number of years ago, my area had two intergroups with quite a bit of dissension between them. Fortunately, some of the members saw that what they were doing wasn’t working. They had the idea to disband both intergroups and start a new, unified intergroup. Our local fellowship was on board with this idea, and Unity Intergroup was born. I was …

I live in a small town, and we’re a pretty homogenous group racially and culturally. But I have some thirty years of attending OA, and my early years were in a larger city. This city was very diverse, and I struggled with that somewhat in my work and in my neighborhood. Diversity was causing more problems than I could imagine, …

I am a compulsive overeater of a common variety, and there is little about me personally that would not fit right into the least diverse of OA meetings. I am female, white, and I have been in OA for six years with four years of continuous abstinence. I came into the rooms of OA morbidly obese and now am at …

When I first heard the phrase, “But I’m too weak! I’ll never make it,” from Our Invitation to You, I translated it to something else in my mind: “But I’m too different! I’ll never be accepted.” I worried if I didn’t see other people like me in the meeting, then I couldn’t safely share about the details of my life. …

I came to OA seventeen years ago this week. I’m deeply grateful to my Higher Power, who gave me the gift of the program and the willingness to keep coming back. I live in a small community in the hills, and my choice of meetings is very restricted, so I find myself listening to podcasts—often! Many thanks to all those members …

I love service! I do! One of the things I love most is helping people make new connections. In 2016, the World Service Business Conference made changes to OA’s Statement on Public Media, allowing us to carry the message in new places and spaces around the world, and I jumped in with both feet by creating not one, but two …

When I first started connecting with OA friends on social media, I was a bit wary about it. I was concerned it would somehow lead to a break in anonymity, even if only accidentally. I’m quite open with friends and family that I’m in OA, but I also wanted to be respectful of the Traditions and didn’t want to risk …

I am on social media a lot, and I was fortunate to be among the first members of the first registered OA group on a popular social media site. We follow all Twelve Traditions of OA and have two meetings a week. I found my sponsors through this group. Through the site, I message one of them daily about my food, …

I am nine months into recovery in OA and more happy, joyous, and free than I could ever have imagined. And I do mean ever. My heart bursts with the love I have found for my HP through working the program as written. Yet, at the same time, I am almost crying with pain. It’s pain not unlike the pain …