Steps Traditions The Daily-ness of Surrender Surrender is a daily practice that I can choose or not: “the daily treatment that brings about our recovery,” as it says at …
Abstinence A Change of Purpose When I came to OA, I heard “We are not a diet-and-calories club.” “Oh really?” I thought. “Of course it’s a diet-and-calorie…
Abstinence The Biggest Deal I am a compulsive overeater. I have been abstinent in Overeaters Anonymous for over twenty-five years by the grace of God, t…
Abstinence Mindful Every Day Thanks be to God and to practicing program one day at a time. I’m frequently reminded of the critical importance of remember…
Abstinence Clear Definitions What is abstinence with respect to food? It’s a good question. Overeaters Anonymous defines abstinence as “The act of refrai…
Abstinence Before the First Bite Just what is compulsive overeating? I’ve not had to wonder about that, because my first sponsor made it very clear, as does …
Abstinence Choice and Freedom To me abstinence means freedom: freedom from the obsession with food and having to act on it when I get cravings. I still th…
Abstinence A Real Human Life Abstinence to me is the key to a better life. In the beginning of my precious abstinence, I remember being amazed at how muc…
Abstinence What a Gift to Grow Abstinence has changed my life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Abstinence has stopped physical cravings and emotio…
Steps Traditions Accessible to All When I showed up at my first OA meeting, I did not have the desire to stop eating compulsively. I was morbidly obese and had…
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
Abstinence is Possible I am new to OA. I’ve been with the program for 101 days. I first went to a meeting to support my daughter, but I was nervous and unsure about going. I’d heard about OA through a client who lost 100 pounds (45 kg) three years ago and kept it off. I asked how she did it and she said, … Read More