How OA Changed My Life Recovery From Self-Help to Sanity I walked into my first OA meeting a little over two and a half years ago. It had taken me almost forty years to recognize that my eating disorder and compulsive food behaviors were out of control. I’d spent my entire adult life climbing the ladder of success, but when I reached the top, I realized it was leaning against … Read More
Literature Tools & Concepts A Way That Invites I just read a beautifully written story in the May/June 2018 issue: “No Stone Unturned.” This Lifeline article is one I will keep forever. The author’s words and quotes are expressed in a thoughtful way that invites me to be filled with peace and serenity. I have even copied the writer’s morning prayer and put it with my prayers that … Read More
Relapse Relapse & Recovery Foundation for Spiritual Growth When I was 16, I left the religion of my family and began a deep search for meaning. I thought I’d found my answer and settled into complacent spirituality until the age of 35, when I came into OA. As I began to understand the Steps and work them, I approached Step Three with confidence. I had already investigated my … Read More
Literature Tools & Concepts Full-Length Program I would like to comment on “No Stone Unturned” in the May/June 2018 issue of Lifeline. It begins on page 11 under the subheading “Conscious Contact and Relationships.” I’ve been receiving Lifeline magazine for a number of years and have to say that this article is the most profound I’ve ever read! It includes all aspects of the writer’s program … Read More
Literature Tools & Concepts Complaint Stoplight “Chronic complaining is a useless practice that destroys self-acceptance and self-reliance . . . Instead . . . I can ask myself, “Is there anything I can do to help myself with this?” (For Today, p. 239). Chronic complaining sounds like self-abuse: if I continue to stay in the problem, then I am living in the problem—and living in the … Read More
Diversity Newcomers The Path of Totality In August last year, parts of the United States witnessed a full solar eclipse. There was roughly a 70-mile-wide (113 km) “path of totality,” and the lucky individuals along this path got to experience an awesome phenomenon. At first, I didn’t understand the hype, but my daughter lives near Nashville, which was in the path of totality, so she invited … Read More
Service Small Ways That Matter This is my third time back in OA. At first, I came when my mother needed the program. I came back a second time for myself, but I still thought of OA as a calorie-counting club with a diet. This time I know better, and I am back for the Twelve Steps. What else is different this time? I can … Read More
Tools & Concepts Strength of Ten By the grace of God, working the Steps and using the Tools, I have been free from the compulsion to overeat for four years, one day at a time. And I would like to keep it that way. Recently, I was traveling: I went through seven time zones, which challenged my routine. I know this is a program of action … Read More
Tools & Concepts Starting Days with For Today My favorite OA book is For Today: I love it because it helps me begin each day with recovery in mind. Reading it makes me part of a huge OA community; we’re all reading the same thing each morning. For Today demonstrates in a tangible way how many days have passed in the year and how many are left, which reminds … Read More
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
