“I’ve found it helpful—and even necessary—to rewrite the prayers in ways that make them more meaningful to me,” says A.M. who says this helps with his humility and gives him greater strength and hope.
Gerri, an abstinent food addict and compulsive overeater, and Karen, abstinent compulsive overeater and food addict, host this workshop on Step Seven: “Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.”
Kathleen’s binge eating and low self-esteem made her ill and unable to hold a job. She was in the midst of bingeing and counting calories when she heard on the radio a public service announcement about Overeaters Anonymous. When she attended her first meeting, someone told her “You’re not alone anymore,” and that was enough to give her hope and start her on her recovery journey.
“It took a long time before I believed I am equal to others, says one OA member. “I think one of the reasons this happeend is because I heard the Twelfth Tradition over and over at meetings.”
”In the past, I would try to make myself feel humble,” says Maureen. “I would change my facial expression. I’ve had a new insight when reading Step Seven: humility is an action!
“Elaine G. reflects on the transformative power of humility and Step Seven, capturing her journey through abstinence and surrender in a heartfelt poem during an International Day Experiencing Abstinence celebration.”
“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.
”I struggle so much with the character defect of pride,” says one OA member, “and I find the antidote in the Principle of Step Seven: humility.”