Atheists & Agnostics Higher Power Getting Warmer I came into program uncomfortable with the concepts of belief and faith. I preferred facts and proof. Belief, I felt, was a sentiment best reserved for the religious, which I was not. I was, however, powerless over food and I wanted what this program had to offer. More than anything, I wanted the Twelve Step promises to come true in … Read More
Steps Love Would Restore Me “Came to believe . . .” I came to meetings and I came to believe many things. I came to believe there were people like me who had this same problem and found a solution. I came to believe that whatever I’d been trying wasn’t working and probably never would work. I came to believe I could try to the … Read More
Share It Spiritual Relief As a newcomer in OA, I have been very grateful for all the members who write for Lifeline and create our OA books and pamphlets. Reading the literature produced by these members and attending my weekly meetings is helping me find my way, one Step at a time. One particular article that speaks to me is “Peaceful Progress,” the Spiritual … Read More
Steps One… and… Two… and… I have been in OA for six and a half years. I have struggled with relapse but also have had long stretches of abstinence. I believe a Power greater than myself can and will (in time) restore me to sanity. My sponsor asked me to write down the actions I take for Step One and Step Two. My goal for … Read More
Steps Powering Through Came to believe in a Power greater than myself—that’s where I got stuck. I couldn’t get past me. I was all wrapped up in my old beliefs about religion, God, and church. I became a prisoner of my beliefs, my parent’s beliefs, and other people’s conceptions. I never truly felt a positive connection with a God of my understanding. My … Read More
Recovery I’m Not Doing It At times I suffer fear: Will I be successful at weight loss? Perhaps I have a diet mentality. During these times, I must remember the following: “I” am not losing the weight. Higher Power and Overeaters Anonymous are helping me lose the weight. A healthy way of living is helping me lose the weight. Cleaning up my side of the … Read More
Steps Step 2: Loving Restoration When I heard Step Two read aloud at meetings, it used to bother me. “Restored to sanity?” I thought disbelievingly. “I can’t point to a time when I ever was sane! What sanity is there to restore me to?” Indeed, I behaved very insanely before I came into program, which was ten years ago when I was 13 pounds (6 … Read More
Atheists & Agnostics Scientific Approach Before program my top weight was 430 pounds (195 kg). At my first meeting 30 years ago, I weighed 380 pounds (172 kg). I reached my goal weight of 200 pounds (90 kg) and maintained that approximate weight for many years. Later, I relapsed to a new top weight of 460 pounds (209 kg). Now with four years of abstinence, … Read More