How do you practice these principles in all your affairs?

For me, OA and HP have helped me be more tolerant and patient with people. Sometimes I encounter someone who has a lot of anger. But when I look behind the anger, I see lots of pain. I like to think of the garbage truck scenario:

Some people are like garbage trucks. They are full of pain, resentment and anger. This builds up and they need to dump it; sometimes on me. I have to realize that it’s not me they’re angry with. I just happen to be at the dumping place at the time. Many times we just don’t know what people are going through. I just accept it and pray that they get the peace they need.

This reminds me of one of my favorite books, A Man Called Ove. The main character, Ove, is as curmudgeon. He gets angry at his neighbors. He argues with the workers at the store. He even gets angry at a stray cat that hangs around him. Looking further into his character we realize that he is still grieving over his wife and love of his life.

You never know what someone is going through.

Anne B

1. Live life on life’s terms.
2. To keep what you have you have to give it away.
3. If you do what you always did; you’ll get what you’ve always got.
4. Progress not perfection.
5. Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.

1. Abstinence is a gift.
2. Our disease is progressive but so is our recovery.
3. Even though I know how bad it is to compulsively over eat I still go out and overeat. That’s what powerless means.
4. Every character defect we have today has been useful to us at some point in our lives, and we need to recognize that fact. New Oa 12&12 p48
5. Fear is the path to the Dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. Yoda

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

June 9, 2023

1. This too shall pass
2. One day at a time.
3. Principles before personalities.
4. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
5. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but think of yourself less.

June 9, 2023

1. The Cs: I didn’t cause it. I didn’t cure it. I can’t change it. I can change myself.
2. AEIOU writing exercise: A Abstinent – Am I abstinent or working towards abstinence; E Exercise -Have I moved today?; I I-What have I done for myself?; O Others-What have I done for others? U Uncover- What have I uncovered in my road to recovery? Y Yay! Gratitude and fun!
3. ABC = Acceptance, Belief, Change.
4. ACTION = Any Change Toward Improving One’s Nature.
5. HALT = Honestly, Actively, Lovingly Tolerant.

June 9, 2023

1. Abstinence is a lifeboat. Stay in the boat.
2. Focus on the steps. That’s where you will encounter your HP and receive the gifts of abstinence and right living.
3. Love is endless forgiveness.
4. People who are most in need of my love can be the most difficult to love.
5. Do I want to be right or happy?

5/22/23

1. FEAR – false evidence appearing real.
2. GOD – good orderly direction.
3. PUSH – pray until something happens.
4. The 4 P’s -prayer, pause, patience, purpose.
5. The Cs – I didn’t cause it; I didn’t cure it; I can’t change it; I can change myself.

1. Let go and let God
2. Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.
3. I can’t, He (HP) can, I think I’ll let Him.
4. A problem shared is a problem cut in half.
5. We get sick by ourselves; we get well together.

5/22/23

1. If you don’t want to do something, just do it for 15 minutes.
2. Self-will is anti-serenity.
3. Don’t compare your inside to someone else’s outside.
4. Don’t put your wishbone where your backbone should be.
5. God (HP) is more a verb than a noun.