Which tools are the most important to you? Which do you feel that you use most often? Which tool would you stress to a newcomer?

The 9 tools of OA are:

1. A plan of eating.

2. Sponsorship. 

3. Meetings. 

4. Telephone.

5. Writing/

6. Literature.

7. Action plan.

8. Anonymity.

9. Service. 

For me, all of the tools strengthen my program. 

1. A plan of eating reminds me that I’m powerless over food. It’s not necessarily what I don’t eat; it’s food that will keep me abstinent. 

2. Sponsorship – I’m not at the point of sponsoring but my sponsor key to my success. She is a constant reminder and example of what I want program from the program for me (even if she won’t let me eat 50 grapes)

3. Meetings – I go to a minimum of 3 meetings a week. If I don’t feel like going to a meeting it means I really need to go to a meeting. If I’m in a bad mood, I will come out of that meeting feeling 10 times better.

4. Telephone -I don’t use the telephone enough, but when I do it’s always a rewarding experience. OAers have told me they were just about to eat or were down and I texted them and appreciated it. The same goes for me. I’ve been in a bad place and I get a call, text or email. and I’m back on track.

5.  Writing -I’ll admit it, I don’t do enough writing. When I do more is revealed (I hate to sound cliché but it is)

6. Literature -I don’t leave the house in the morning without reading from the big book and one of the daily readers. For me, it’s a nice way to start my day (ok now I sound like a coffee commercial)

7. Action plan -I do try. Mostly it’s Anne plans God laughs. Sitting down with my sponsor and coming up with a plan aims me in the right direction.

8. Anonymity -I’ve told people in OA things that people who have known me for years don’t know. Anonymity helps me be comfortable enough to share.

9. Service keeps me coming back to meetings because there are people who count on me. Something as simple as taking the key, putting away meeting materials, leading a meeting, or being keyholder is service. It also helps me give something back to a program that is saving my life.

Anne B