Not Managing Step One: We admitted we were powerless over food—that our lives had become unmanageable. Recovery began for me with Step One, when I admitted I was powerless over food and, as a result, my life was unmanageable. It gave me comfort, admitting my powerlessness. After all my failed attempts at dieting, I could see I had no control over food. … Read More
No Wrong Door “In keeping with Tradition Ten, Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. In the spirit of Tradition Three, Overeaters Anonymous welcomes anyone with a desire to stop eating compulsively, including those who have had bariatric surgery or are contemplating it” (Business Conference Policy Manual, 2018b). When the delegates to WSBC 2018 voted to adopt this policy statement, I … Read More
The Value of OA From the earliest times of Twelve Step recovery, almost every effort to carry the message has included a financial cost. The need to cover these expenses inspired the development of the Seventh Tradition. We’re told that every group needs to be fully self-supporting, not only financially but also by sharing service positions to keep the meeting strong. We’re encouraged to … Read More
To Ask Humility has been a challenge for me. In the past, I think my focus was on feeling humble; I would try ways to make myself feel humble. I would change my facial expression, body language, and words to control myself into feeling humble. Maybe I was trying to control others, so that they would see me as humble. I’ve had … Read More
Practicing Attraction Tradition Eleven: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication. Tradition Eleven encourages us to publicize our program without promoting it. We can use various forms of media to get the word out: billboards, internet, TV, and … Read More
Acceptance Without Issue During any political election, I am especially thankful for OA’s Tradition Ten: “Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues.” I know I can go to a meeting and no one will talk about the candidates or the issues. I am very aware that some members are strongly supporting a policy that is different than mine. At other occasions outside … Read More
Saying the Words Step Ten: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Most days, I take personal inventory at the end of the day. It helps me sleep. I inventory fears, resentments, and stressful thoughts and beliefs. Wrongs seem to stem from those. I also list gratitudes, but not the things I think I should be grateful for. … Read More
Imagine If Tradtion Nine: OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Tradition Nine is kind of buried, and it seems like one of those boring maxims about how we set up shop. Yeah, yeah, so we can have an intergroup and world service, isn’t that special . . … Read More
Skye’s No-Limit Step Nine: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. As a compulsive eater, I need to ask my Higher Power to guide every aspect of my life. The littlest thing can easily tip me off-balance. Lately, my home renovations resulted in impulsive online purchases. I’ve been asking God for … Read More
Not an Expert Tradition Eight: Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. This Tradition has two parts to it. First, “Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional.” As I’m writing on this, I’m realizing now that one of my sponsors was evoking this Tradition with me. In her professional life, she was trained to be a therapist/counselor. … Read More
