“What is a spiritual awakening?” asks Joann. “How do we get it? If it is the result of working the Twelve Steps, that means we have to work them.” In Transformational Awakening, Joann describes what her spiritual awakening has looked like and meant for her.
“I’ve learned that my serenity and peace of mind are based on how much I surrender,” says Joel, who turns to Step Eleven when emotional storms roll in.
“My understanding of anonymity has gone through several evolutions,” says one OA member, who now sees how anonymity encourages a focus on recovery.
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.“
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
“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.”