Happy New Year Region 1 OAers! We are now fully into 2020. I don't know about you but I am shaking off the sparkly dust from a wonderful holiday season and getting back to my worthwhile everyday routines. They feel good after the "time off for fun behavior."

I struggle with holidays every year as all the normal eaters try to eat like compulsive eaters (amateurs!).  I so want to be a "normal" eater this time of year. BUT I ain't. So I am glad to have thrown away the last of the left over treats and have a recovery pattern to follow to get back in the groove. Here's mine to restart in the new year:

• First thing in the morning, I read OA literature  and write a little in my journal after my first cuppa coffee meditation. 
• I see my sponsor once a week and my sponsees once a week.
• I go to two OA meetings a week.
• I write a question to my HP every night and jot down HP's answer.
• I do service in OA and in my community. 
• I am grateful for all my blessings and try to never take them for granted.
• In 2020, I have a resolution (I don't have to have the "lose weight" one anymore). This year I am going to clean up my speech--no more lazy curse words. Region One Board members will be able to see how I do with that one!

What are your recovery routines? Are you doing well with them or do you need to step it up? Is there something special you have been putting off for...whenever? Is it time to do that in 2020?

Wishing you joy and freedom in 2020.  

Aloha,  Pat  - Region 1
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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

Relax.     Take it easy.     Don’t struggle.

Those are words I am trying to remember throughout the day. It is a reminder that God’s in charge, not me.

But, but…I do struggle! I get stressed! I have SO much to do! There’s no end to my list of responsibilities! 

Awareness—Oh look, my shoulders are up around my ears again. I notice I have knots in my belly.  In those moments, I take a deep breath.

​Acceptance—I remember that I am only human. I can’t rise above my humanness.  I am not God. I am not qualified to be God. I look at my past and see how far I’ve come in recovery. I take a deep breath.

Action—I breathe in deeply and consciously feel my body. I cajole the tight muscles to relax. I take a minute and look out the window. I remind myself that God’s in charge. I may call an OA fellow or read literature.  I may listen to a podcast of an OA speaker or I may call into a phone meeting.  Sometimes I even take the dog on a walk and pick up garbage or dog poop in my neighborhood.  Anything to get my mind off myself. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Step Ten and Eleven in action. Thank you, God, and thank you, OA!

Leslie - Region 1