Ready or Not
At Step Nine, Fiona has to come to terms with apologizing to her mom. “Whether she apologizes is irrelevant,” she says. “I need to clear my side of the street.”
Character Defects
The Voice of My Higher Power
What is the difference between surrender, compliance, and acting as if? Give it some thought—maybe write about it—and then see what OA member and sponsor Jessica has to share and where her answer came from.
Perfect Peace
“The Fifth Step: what a daunting Step it was for me as a newcomer,” says Anonymous. “But I can remember the feeling when I was done . . . I was relieved.”
Empowering Discovery
“When I first came to OA thirty-three years ago, I was a bundle of resentments, says Carrie. Today? “I can honestly say that I no longer have resentments . . . I marvel every day in this program how the Steps really work.”
Step Six: “The Importance of Working All Twelve Steps” Podcast Series
Gloria, a compulsive overeater, and Gerri, an abstinent food addict and compulsive overeater, host this episode on Step Six: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
Abstinent, Loving Witness
“The first gift of abstinence is clear thinking, ” says this anonymous OA member. For her, abstinence is also the first priority for being a capable sponsor. “When I walk the walk,” she says, ”I’m willing to be an ear and listen. I feel more flexible and less rigid.”
Three Words: I Am Alive
Jo used to steal food from the plates of hospital patients and eat their leftovers. Working the OA program, allowed him to come clean in Step Nine and find a new way of living.
The Big Payoff
Anonymous was a compulsive thief and a cheat. During his Step Nine, his sponsor made sure he did one thing each day. His Step work was so thorough, that his sponsor told him he didn’t have to go back to Step Nine.
Skye’s No-Limit
When Anonymous asked God to help curb her impulse purchases, a homeless woman named Skye showed up and provided an opportunity to shop charitably and make a living amend
Light Wash
“A glass that looks so clean when out of the bright light can actually be very dirty,” notes Paulette. When she agrees reluctantly in to be held up to the light, she says “It is shocking to see me as I really am . . . . but now I know what to do about it.” The answer is in the Seventh Step.