I opened my heart to my Higher Power’s will and discovered I was a part of the worldwide Fellowship.
I walked into my first OA meeting alone and afraid. I had been defeated by food, weight, and life. I was desperate. In the meeting, I found OA members who wanted to help me. They reached out their hands to hold mine, and for the first time, I found hope. I shared with them my sorrow, and the pain lessened. I learned to trust these people. There was an answer for my problem, and I learned acceptance. Before long, I reached out my hand to a newcomer and offered hope. The circle widened. I offered to lead a meeting, carry the key, and drag the book bag—and my service began.
I went to my OA intergroup and learned I was part of a larger circle, that a part of my recovery was to carry this message to others. My intergroup needed to share their message through larger gatherings and events. Just as important, we needed to offer what we have to our fellow sufferers through public awareness, letting them know OA is here. I volunteered to be on a committee, which gave me more hands to hold and more friends to love. I recognized the need for members to fill the roles of leadership and Higher Power said, “You have a responsibility.” I became willing, I reached out my hands, and the circle widened.
I discovered I belonged to an OA region where members of other intergroups joined together to carry this message of hope even further. We shared our experiences, successes, and failures, of ways to support the Fellowship as well as reaching out to others. There, I experienced more synergy, more enthusiasm, and more recovery. I found myself led by my Higher Power to step into another level of service, something I never thought I could do, and the circle widened.
I opened my heart to my Higher Power’s will and discovered I was a part of the worldwide Fellowship. Members from other countries, with different languages and customs, suffered from the same disease and were reaching out their hands for the hope OA offers. Joining hands, bringing recovery to all who seek it, is a daunting concept, but when I reached out, I discovered people just like me. The circle now stretches around the globe.
I cannot express in any words the joy found in giving back to OA. I know that each of us is a part of the circle, one hand holding another. I welcome each of you to take the risk of widening your own circle, to reach out through service. The more hands, the lighter the load. The commitments to yourself, your abstinence, and your recovery will increase with each connection you make. We need open hands and open hearts to reach those outside the doors of OA and welcome them home. The circle is endless as long as we keep reaching. Service never fails.
—C.L.
