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.
Steps and Traditions
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.
A Service Point of View
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.
Fourth Step Persistence
Julie was abused as a child, but understand that everyone in OA has challenges in addition to overcoming compulsive eating. “For me, it all begins with willingness,” she says.
The Springboard
“The Eighth Step is the springboard for creating genuinely healthy relationships, based on honesty, humility, balance, appreciation, and objectivity,” says one OA member. Sometimes, though, becoming willing to make direct amends takes time.
Group-Level Effort
“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.”
To Ask
”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!
The Value of OA
When we pass the basket, we call it “the Seventh Tradition” because it represents how we feel about being self-supportinga. It’s more than a donation. It’s a barometer of our gratitude and our personal investment in our recovery.
IDEA Activity: Pen a Principle
“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.”
Priceless Peace
Anonymous was so afraid of financial insecurity that stealing was normal. But the Big Book promises came true for him before getting halfway through his Step Nine amends.