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.

Sponsorship Is “Walking Someone Through the Steps”

“One of the better moves I made early in recovery,” says Anonymous, ”was finding a sponsor, says Anonymous from California USA. “As a sponsor, I have been able to help others and pass one what was freely given to me. . . . and that has proved to be the key to a happy, spiritual, and satisfying way of life.”

A Grateful Goodbye to My First OA Sponsor

A good sponsor (and there are many good sponsors in OA) can come into your life at a moment’s notice and have a profound effect on our lifelong recovery. One OA member from Pennsylvania USA reflects on the good fortune (and good humor) of a sponsor who recently passed away.

Healing Connections through Sponsorship

“I pray that Higher Power shows me how to be sponsored and sponsor lovingly, caringly, and honestly,” says Alyson. Read the specifics of how she approaches giving and receiving sponsorship in OA.

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.”

Stories From Others

Naomi expresses how valuable it is to her recovery to hear the recovery stories of other OA members.

You Might Like the Thrill

”I let it flow from my heart, and God is my cowriter,” says C.D. Indeed, writing is a powerful OA Tool.