Pinellas Traditions Intergroup P O Box 56765 St. Pete, FL 33732 (PTI) www.oapinellas.org May 20
Step 5 – Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. There is a rhythm to life: growth comes from a winter of rest, spring rains, a summer of wildflowers and fireflies. If everything in nature follows God’s plan, why do I think I have a better one for myself? To live according to natural laws, I need abstinence and freedom from obsession – needs that are filled, not when I’m in charge of running my life, but when I turn my will over to God in the matter of food. True wisdom, then, is to seek and follow God’s will for me in every aspect of my life – a path laid our in steps 2, 3, 6, 7 and 11 of the program recovery. Making progress along that path to the best of my ability is surely living as close to nature’s intention as possible. For Today
Tradition 5– Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers. How do you carry the message ? I try to share what I have learned in the rooms of Overeaters Anonymous, my experience, strength and hopes. I go to lots of meetings and do service, which, I have found, is a big help for me to be aware and remain abstinent BR Simply by how I live this day. LH By showing up at meetings and sharing my strength, hope and recovery. BB My life is based on attempting to live the 12 steps. Hopefully, goodness attracts goodness. MH By not gossiping, by being honest, not being hurtful to others, prayer – positive attitude. B By being an example of my strength, hope and recovery. GL I have noticed that people who abstain form compulsive eating follow OA’s suggestions. In particular, they use all eight tools. 90 meetings in 90 days, doing service at meeting or intergroup level, Calling sponsor daily Sponsoring others, making other phone calls daily, using a plan of eating that works, reading literature, daily journaling, keeping anonymity. Lifeline 2006
One of the first lessons I learned 29 years ago when I first came to Overeaters Anonymous was to “keep it simple”. I have often heard at meetings that this is a “simple program for complicated people.” I believe that appreciating the simple things in life is a key to being happy – from the sight of a baby’s precious smile to the good feeling we have when someone allows us to move ahead in traffic. I agree with this quotation from Abraham Lincoln, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness and health to you! Lifeline 2004
Is your meeting at all confused about “Cross Talk”?? Well here is the “Cross Talk” definition (from Overeaters Anonymous Key Terms Glossary) - “Cross talk” during an OA meeting is giving advice to others who have already shared, speaking directly to another person rather than to the group, and questioning or interrupting the person speaking/sharing at the time.
OA Calendar of Events April 21 – Working the Tools, Friendship United Methodist Church, 2039 E. Druid Rd., Clw, Claudia 727-781-7411 April 30 – May 5 World Service Business Conference, Albuquerque, NM, 1-800-237-2133 May 18, 19, 20, 2007 - Big Book Retreat At the Franciscan Center in Tampa hosted by Pasco County, call Barbara Joy July 13, 14, 15, 2007 – SOARING INTO WAVES OF SERVICE- Region 8 Convention and Business Assembly Dolphin Beach Resort, St Pete Bch, Flier: www.oapinellas.org August 30th – September 2, 2007 – OA – WSO – World Convention, Philadelphia, PA – call Donna for roommates 727-526-4082 2010 - OA’s 50th Birthday, World Service Convention, Los Angeles, CA –call Donna for roommates 526-4082
OA Sponsor List: Ann V. – 787-7652; Beth P. (anorexia/bulimia only) – 894-4090 Addie S. – 327-4555/email-ernietoss@hotmail.com Maryl email-mmroan1@tampabay.rr.com In subject: OA message Joanne (early morning only) – 669-5168 Patti 596-2087 Please let me know if you’d like to add your name to the list.
Next month, I will be looking for comments on “My 24 Hour Plan” , anyone liking to contribute to the “”Newspages please email me at russelljo1@earthlink.net by the 5th of the month.
“The story of Madam X.” (This sad story is 100% true, and is sent as a wake up call to all of us.) Years ago X moved to Florida from another state. She was in OA there, had been abstinent a long time, and had a large weight loss. She helped many here, was a sponsor, meeting leader, etc. One day, my husband Frank & I were at a buffet having lunch ( I was not yet abstinent). X sat with us, and had 4 desserts, to which Frank replied, “X, doesn’t your OA meeting teach you not to have 4 desserts?” To which X replied, “I will soon be 64 years old. I have my problem licked, and at 64, no longer need OA.” She dropped out. I ran into her a year or so later, where she had 2 canes, as she was so heavy, she couldn’t walk without them. I told her to come back, but the answer was no. She said I see you’ve gained some weight too. (Actually I had lost, prob. 25 lbs or so). She told me she needed knee surgery. It broke my heart to see her that way. I have not seen her again, but another OA’er recently did. She is in a large wheelchair, with an oxygen tank, (she can’t walk or breathe anymore) pushed by her adult child. How sad. Why did I write this? To say to myself, and the rest of us NEVER LEAVE OA FOR ANY REASON, AND TO STAY ABSTINENT. Through X, I realize this is a killer disease, and very progressive. AS
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http://www.oapinellas.org/index
Doing the Laundry – When I was away at college, my life became unmanageable. I was working, striving to maintain a long distance romance and struggling with the non-relationship I had with my parents. I allowed no time to take care of myself. Consequently, I often had no clean clothes to wear. I’d go through my laundry bag searching for something that didn’t look too bad. I’d shake out the wrinkles, check for stains and rush off. That would work for a while, but I knew that I’d eventually have to get out the detergent and start scrubbing. To me, Step Ten means keeping up with my laundry. I know from experience that if I don’t take the time to do it regularly, it can become unmanageable, and those stains can set in. The best soap I’ve found for stubborn stains is called “honesty,” and it’s available wherever I look for it. Lifeline March 2001
Request To all meetings: Please consider in your next business meeting to include this statement from Overeaters Anonymous World Service Office, as part of the meeting format, “A donation of $3 or more will assure that this meeting will continue”.