Maybe it’s Covid, or the recent death of my dear sister-in-law, or taking on two service positions for the upcoming year, but I’ve been thinking a lot about Helen F. 

Helen was already a long-time member of OA when I joined in 1983.  She was one of the incorporators of our Intergroup in 1981, and I don’t think there was an intergroup position that she didn’t hold at one time or another.  Helen was all about service—with a capital S. 

​For years, she had a second telephone line in her home for the OA hot-line and never failed to take a call or return one, whether it was a newcomer or a current member who needed her. 

I remember one time, shopping at Costco and being totally overwhelmed by all the samples that demonstrators were urging me to try.  Like a beacon of light, I saw Helen and made a mad dash to get to her before she disappeared in the crowds.  That was Helen, an OA member who was calm and calming, a fount of OA knowledge and practical advice, a woman of great spiritual depth.  I could never count the number of times that Helen said “God will provide,” and he did, and I believed that he would because Helen said so. 

A member at a recent Intergroup meeting said that Service is gratitude in action.  I like that statement.  Helen was gratitude in action.  She gave her all for the Fellowship in sponsorship, meeting attendance, telephone outreach, taking on service positions—anything and everything that needed to be done. 

As Helen aged and was no longer able to give service, she still showed up at her committed meetings and Intergroup meetings.  Her calm, loving presence was Service. 

I still miss Helen, but am grateful for her and often when I’m feeling fear or anxiety and I open my mind for an intuitive thought, I can almost hear her voice telling me, “God will provide.”

 Paula Z. – Region One



PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE LAST NAME IN BLOG POST COMMENTS.

I don't know about you, but I am experiencing some serious Covid fatigue. No movie premieres to attend, no soccer games to play or teams to coach, no dancing at the Crystal Ballroom. Life as I knew it has come to a screeching halt. But at least I could go outside and garden, take a walk, or go ride my bike. Then the wildfires hit. Now the air is hazardous to breathe. Friends are evacuated. Some will return to nothing. Others will not return at all. It just keeps piling on. And on top of all of this, the "regular" events of life continue. Conflicts with parents, spouses and children, cancer diagnosis, pets get sick and die. Make the mistake of watching the news, and it all just feels like too much!
 
So what's the good news you ask? The good news is that we have a solution! Even though life on life's terms seems like it has never EVER been harder for ANYONE EVER, program teaches me that life in recovery is an amazing adventure if I choose to see it that way.
 
All of the commotion that I thought made up a good life has fallen away and what is left are the people. Meaningful connection to my fellows is what all humans need to thrive and find joy. Program has given me a community of people who love me just for showing up. What an amazing gift!
 
Covid has made virtual meetings a way of life for many of us. I have met fellows from the UK, New York, Colorado, Australia, and Ireland that are an important part of my program. I have connected with so many anorexics and bulimics across the country that I finally feel like one of many in my recovery journey.
 
I continue to grow my spiritual program by taking the time to be still and let God heal my anxiety, fear, and grief. I am in complete surrender (most days) and let God guide my daily actions. I have found peace in the quiet spaces in between the chaos that my disease creates in my mind. Joy sprouts from this inner peace in surprisingly simple ways: the pleasure in a cup of tea sipped slowly as I watch a squirrel in my back yard, wondering how his day is going. Something I never would have taken time for pre-Covid. I was always too busy.
 
My hope for you is that you can savor the blessings of this time. Stay present in the day and look for the moments of joy that every day has to offer. They are there for us to behold, if we take the time to look for them.
 
 Alice - Region One

This weekend I’ve had the chance to spend some time with trusted servants from all eleven OA regions, gathering to share our wins and enlist support for our challenges. 

I watched my fellows with complex service responsibilities actively applying the steps to the work they do and taking care of themselves in the process.  I definitely wanted what they had, and boy did they spend a lot of time laughing at themselves!
 
In between the business discussions there was spontaneous sharing around personal recovery and the expression of strong support for each other. 

When I look back at my service journey I’ve never stepped into a new service position without the reassurance that I would not be in it alone; that those who have gone before me would be there to answer my questions and support me.  It just seems natural for those of us in recovery to want to be helpful and pass on what we’ve learned.
 
Just as I discovered that I was not alone in my disease of compulsive overeating when I joined OA,  I am not alone in any service that I do.  It’s also my job to be available to anyone stepping into a role I’ve held. 
 
We are Never Alone!
 
Cindy C. - Region 1

Recently another Region One board member and I traveled to Hailey, Idaho to visit with the Snake River Intergroup folks. We were so welcomed. About 30 members came from all over (and that means traveling some BIG distances) to join us for a Sponsorship and Service workshop.

There are two blog topics that have emerged from our good interactions that day. I will share the first with you today and save the other for my next blog post. 

Becoming a LINK in the Chain - Giving Away What We Have Been Freely Given:

We joined in a circle holding hands. Each person turned to the person on their right as we went around and thanked that member for what we had been freely given in OA. What we heard was amazing: freedom, joy, acceptance, love, belonging, physical recovery, emotional recovery, connection with HP...the appreciation went all around.  We took those good thoughts and shared about what each of us could do to be a link in the chain to continue to make sure that OA would be there for the next compulsive eater as OA was there for us. Some of the simplest ideas are really the most profound:

• Text all the members of your meeting on meeting day
• Call/use your sponsor
• with permission, put up OA flyers at other 12 Step fellowship meetings
• send introduction letters about OA to counselors and therapists in your area
• share your peace
• Tell your doctor about OA
• When asked about that new sparkle in your eye, share your source of emotional, physical and spiritual recovery in OA
• Be a sponsor and have a sponsor
• Be willing to be a ride or contact 
• Share Lifeline
• Offer 24 hour coins at your meeting (One Day at a Time)
• Get to a meeting whether you want to or not
• Tell your nutritionist about OA
• Have sponsorship be a topic at your meeting
• USE the PHONE to reach out
• Start a new meeting
• Be brave and take a new service position

There are many ways to make sure OA is alive and well for the next compulsive eater. What are your ideas?????

Thanks to the Snake River Folks. You are wonderful!

Pat - Region 1