http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussions/feed.rss Sun, 20 May 12 22:59:20 -0400 All Discussions - Freedom Intergroup en-CA http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/14/editors-note-page-2-march-newsletter Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:43:51 -0500 kismj 14@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions FREEDOM INTERGROUP'S Road to Recovery ~ page 2

EDITOR’S NOTE:

In listening to the news and watching people I have come
across something, that I also found in myself, which is prevailing
among the US citizens: But most importantly in our OA
meetings. The following article will describe, back them, what I
see happening now.


THIS IS AN ARTICLE FOUND IN LIFELINE, MARCH 1991 P.16

In my opinion, since Conference 1987 voted out all food plans
in OA, the Fellowship here in the greater Los Angeles area has
been diluted to the point where abstinence is very rarely
discussed in meetings or mentioned as one’s priority in life;
there is more and more outside sharing of therapy, self-help
groups, and the latest psycho-babble in and out of our
meetings, and above all, there is less sharing of a commitment
to abstinence and recovery as the number one priority in life on
a daily basis.

“We just don’t eat no matter what,” is what I used to hear at
lots of meetings, but I haven’t heard it in years. The attitude
that recovery is a “life or death” issue seems to be something
that has fallen by the wayside; abstinence is an undefined tool
that, instead of being number one, falls somewhere down the
list, to the detriment of our Fellowship.

So often now I attend OA meetings where there is no
mention of food, abstinence, weight, or pounds. We seem to
be becoming a twelve-step group more interested in spirituality,
self-help therapy, and the denial of the substance that is
killing us. In my experience, the denial of the symptom that
brought us to OA is getting dangerously strong.

While I would prefer, and sincerely hope, that OA grows
stronger, we appear to be becoming a softer, undisciplined OA
where our threefold disease is treated lightly, and the focus
moves further and further away from abstinence as our
number one priority. I hear less and less about a daily, continuous
effort to apply the twelve steps, twelve traditions, and the
tools in our lives to the best of our ability, and more and more
excuses, denial, and rationalization about the food we eat,
what we weigh, and the pounds we are losing or gaining.

The sole reason for my concern and this article is my love for
OA, and the fact that it has given me my very life, one day at a
time. Many friends in the Los Angeles area feel as I do and
some even more strongly. We are committed to abstinence
and recovering the OA way to the best of our ability. We do our
very best to place the situation in our Higher Power’s hands
and continue our individual paths.
B.B., Los Angeles, California

I see some of what he speaks of, i.e. abstinence and working
the tools. How many OA members can say that their priority is
abstinence and really mean it? Are they willing to go to ANY
LENGTH to attain and KEEP their abstinence? I know I wasn’t at
first. But my HP got through to me and abstinence is my
priority. If and when I have a slip I analyze the circumstances,
read and write about it and LEARN so that I do not fall into that
trap again.

Apathy is one of the Devil’s tools. I see it going around and at
one time within myself. All that I have mentioned I have seen in
myself. I speak from experience and now speak from an
abstinent mind.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REBUTTAL THIS AND GIVE ME YOUR
TAKE ON THINGS. WRITE ANONYMOUSLY.
]]> http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4/what-are-you-grateful-for-today Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:17:22 -0400 kismj 4@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/5/where-are-you-in-recovery Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:28:40 -0400 BJL 5@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions Yesterday I told my sponsor that "it has finally happened - I have lost the Desire" I am struggling with my food - not so much quantity as incorrect choices and what scared me the most is that I did not care. At least I was not aware that I cared, however, if I did not care, why did I reach out to her and I did not even say good-bye, I sat waiting for her reply and thank God it came.
"Fortunately we don't operate based on our feelings, but rather by our decisions. It's okay that you forgot that fact for a brief moment. Now just get back in the saddle and keep your daily commitments. You can do this no matter how you feel, BJ. I think when too many things go "right" for us, we have a harder time handling that when things do not work out. Things are settling down with Reno, so there is always something to rob us of the peace and security God wants for us."
Today talking with an OA friend, I told her how I felt then tonight rereading my sponsors reply, I realize I do care and her reminder to keep my daily commitments is what I have not been doing. I was putting everything to do with me aside and doing for others.
God has made things in life easier for me and I did not know what to do with time for ME. I am making a commitment to getting back to basics. Thank you God.
]]> http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/3/registration-change-... Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:14:43 -0400 kismj 3@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/2/blessed-with-a-great-webmaster Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:27:56 -0400 BJL 2@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions I hope many take advantage of this new forum. I need this chance to communicate with others since I am unable to get out as I used to.
BJL]]> http://www.oafreedom.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/1/this-is-a-test-post-by-the-webmaster Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:46:37 -0400 kismj 1@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions ]]>