Dear Region 8 OA,
It’s the 12th of April and as usual, the Twelfth Step Within (TSW) Committee reaches out on this day. What a challenge this last month or so has been for all of us! As a member of the TSW committee I see how it’s all the more important to reach out to each other by text, email or phone especially with most face-to-face meetings cancelled. Since this is a “WE program” and I don’t get better by myself, utilizing our online and phone meetings has been critical to maintaining my program and my abstinence. My home meeting uses a conference call format and we’ve been able to continue our regular meetings that way. Maintaining my own absence, especially during this stressful time is the best way thing I can do for myself and fellow Compulsive Overeaters. Continuing to share and hearing others experience strength and hope, has carried me through the recent necessary physical isolation. Maintaining contact with my Sponsor and Sponsees has also been critical.
What about you? How can you maintain your program/abstinence AND reach out during these stressful times? Here are some ideas:
— Bulk up with online resources on the World Service (WSO) and Region 8 websites
— Take the time to reach out to all your group members especially those who may be struggling…
— Use this “downtime” to write articles for OA
— Double down on your OWN program work
— Consider using ALL the Tools (for a change)
Here’s what I know- Each time I take steps forward in my own recovery, it pulls the entire group forward. Then when I reach out to others it comes back to help me as well. This repeats over and over again in a complete circle of recovery.
Take care of yourselves during this time and let’s come out on the other end stronger in our recovery than we were before…
OA hugs from the TSW Committee,
The OA Resources document has great tips for doing on line and zoom meetings and OA literature for meetings to assist you with shelter at home meetings.