Journal Questions Box Step “Our path in OA transcends weight loss and a return to emotional health.” —Seeking the Spiritual Path I used what I call my “God Box” yesterday and the day before because I was desperate to rid myself of all the negativity, insecurity, and despair I was feeling—and even hatred. I was so alone . . . at least I felt … Read More
Service Hope in Writing I love our literature. Thank God for all the many members who have taken time over the years to share their experience, strength, and hope in writing, giving our Fellowship this rich resource. By the grace of God, I’ve now been abstinent for two and a half years, the longest period in my history of recurring relapse. I attribute my … Read More
Newcomers Even Before When I first joined OA and wasn’t getting abstinent, I came across “Pray Then Act” (Lifeline, March 2015, p. 16), a story about a person who experienced a sudden, intense obsession to stop for food at a drive-through. She immediately called her sponsor, who said, “You can have it tomorrow.” This advice drove home in a very real way the OA principle … Read More
Working the Program Wiener Dog Wisdom I have a wonderful dachshund named Macy. Dachshunds are smart and stubborn dogs whose long bodies make them prone to back problems. Macy had recurrent trouble with her spine, and when she was in pain, it was hard for her to get onto the couch or bed using her short little legs. So I bought her a set of doggy steps … Read More
Abstinence Need–to–Dos These are things I do to maintain abstinence: I have a sponsor. Although I often complain, procrastinate, and argue, I eventually become willing to do what my sponsor asks. I work the Steps with my sponsor. I call my sponsor almost daily to commit my food to him. I have a food plan. I know what abstinence means for me: … Read More
Fellowship Big-Picture Thinking As I was trying to figure out this whole “Higher Power” thing, I found myself trying to reconcile the many different religious beliefs in the world, wondering who was right. As I pondered, the image came to me of very large jigsaw puzzle of “God.” Each of us holds a piece of that puzzle. I might look at my piece … Read More
Newcomers Richer, Saner, and New I just finished my first year in OA, and it has been amazing. I am convinced it was GOD, the Gift of Desperation, that got me to my first meeting. I accepted Step One then, and I honestly faced the truth about my disease. I had used bad eating habits to cover up feelings, comfort myself in times of stress, … Read More
Newcomers The Magic Number I should be the poster child for “keep coming back” because my stubbornness is finally paying off. I regularly showed up to a meeting once a week for almost two years, but I wasn’t working the program and I didn’t have a sponsor. Today, I am a newcomer with a newcomer’s mind. Until a month ago, I did little more … Read More
Uncategorized Working the Program Pug Life My name is Lucy. I am a pug. I want to tell how my brother Joey, my sister MP, and I all helped with our Mom’s recovery. In 2009, our Mom was very sad. She was eating a lot. Nothing would help. She even took trips and had holidays but was still very sad. We decided to help. On our Mom’s … Read More
Higher Power The Addict Mask It is not my job to fight the addict. It has never been my job to fight the addict. I can’t fight the addict. The addict is too strong and powerful for me. The addict is nasty. He plays by no rules. He lies, cheats, steals, and will do anything to destroy me. The addict wears a mask: This mask … Read More
