Barbara reflects on how to navigate the grieving process for a deceased OA fellow while upholding our Tradition of anonymity. After the funeral, she shares, “I spoke about the odd fact that even in death, our public face would have to remain incomplete.“
This OA member explains how service can be “an incredible learning experience” and ”a great gift,” even when giving service means working with others who have differing opinions about what is best for OA as a whole.
“The longer I’m in program, the more I realize I don’t know what will work for anyone other than myself,” says one OA member. “I practice the Spiritual Principle of Tradition Eight: fellowship.”
The Milwaukee Area Intergroup’s International Day Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA) event featured a speaker, a writing activity, and a lively discussion based on the Lifeline article *Outside and In*, exploring the contrast between trying to be abstinent and being willing to embrace abstinence.
We can better appreciate Tradition Nine by imagining if OA was organized by VIPs and from the top down.
“Through nurturing both a small plant gifted in celebration of abstinence and my OA program, I’ve learned that with care, patience, and renewed enthusiasm, growth and beauty can always be rediscovered—even after 9,190 days.”
“International Day Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA), observed the third Saturday of November, reminds us that abstinence is not only freedom from compulsive eating but also a profound connection to a Higher Power and spiritual balance.”