Traditions Business Plan It was the end of the month, so I attended business meetings for the two groups I regularly attend. Business meetings can be challenging because we all care about our meetings but often have different perspectives and opinions. When a sensitive issue affecting the group is on the agenda, the discussion can become intense. I have an action plan for … Read More
Higher Power Spirituality Different Spiritual Beliefs Editors note: Below are two world service contributions from OA members in support of our Strategic Plan. When I first came to OA in 2005 at 275 pounds (125 kg), I thought I had the God thing down. Others might have trouble with the concept, but I had spent years studying theology, was working as a religious professional, and was … Read More
Recovery Relationships A Gift from Grace Before I returned to OA in 1999, my life was a prison of my own making, and I had no visitors. It was a world of isolation because all I trusted was food and how good it made me feel in the moments I was consuming it. My compulsive overeating began when I was 5 and a half years old. … Read More
Relationships Loner No Longer “I never have to be alone again . . .” It was June 1989: I was powerless over food and my life was unmanageable. I had just lost forty pounds (18 kg) again and quickly gained ten pounds (5 kg) back. I was on my way up the scale and full of anger and rage. I felt totally helpless, hopeless, … Read More
Relapse Big Truth When I first came to OA, I had no hope. I thought I would never look normal or be able to eat regular food. I was obese and profoundly depressed. In OA, I found much more than just weight loss and “control”; I found a Higher Power, a Fellowship of people who understood me for the first time in my … Read More
Working the Program New Moves In my recovery, I had problems trying to understand the OA program. It was simple, and that was the problem. I was baffled by its simplicity. I also practice tai chi and enjoy the challenge of learning new moves, but what I find is this: The easy moves are hard and the hard moves are easy. Standing at my front … Read More
Working the Program Keep Pedaling When I was young, learning to ride a bicycle seemed like a monumental task—exciting, but difficult to learn. I wanted to do what the other children could. Riding a bicycle looked like fun, and I wanted to have fun. My mom held my seat and ran behind me while I pedaled. When I wasn’t looking, she let go. The scariest … Read More
Higher Power New Resonance When I first came to OA, I was aware the Twelve Steps required belief in a Higher Power, but I felt spiritually broken after a traumatizing event with my church. I wanted nothing to do with religion or God. Still, I was desperate for hope and help with my compulsive overeating, so I went to meetings and tried to keep … Read More
Newcomers First Glimpse As a newcomer to OA, I was helped most by seeing how genuinely happy and pleased the other group members were to have me join them that first morning— even though I came with anxiety, shame, silence, and a travel mug of coffee (which violated their rules). The greeter asked me to stay after that first meeting and gave me … Read More
Fellowship Term Lesson I went to World Service Business Conference as a new delegate, with excitement and some fear. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew I was there to give service, but I was afraid I wouldn’t get enough downtime. (I have to balance my need for downtime against a tendency to isolate.) Balance was my motto for the week, but … Read More
