OA was founded by Rozanne S. and two other women in January 1960 in a small kitchen in Los Angeles, California.  We all owe Rozanne a HUGE debt for having the dedication and drive it took to make what was a unique idea for 1-2 people into an amazing world-wide organization helping thousands of people find recovery from food addiction.  Our own personal recovery is part of those thousands!

It's hard to believe that from Rozanne’s small home office in 1960, OA today has a world headquarters, the World Service Office, located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Overeaters Anonymous estimates its membership at over 60,000 people in about 6,500 groups meeting in over 75 countries.
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An OA 60th birthday weekend event is happening in Los Angeles while I write this blog.  There are over 800 OA members from all around the world sharing recovery through the weekend in breakout sessions and fellowship that really started long ago in Rozanne's kitchen and office!

We can pay our debt of gratitude to Rozanne S. by each one of us reaching out to share the hope that OA continues to offer today for relief from food addiction!  We are SO fortunate to have additional opportunities for recovery via technology today that Rozanne couldn’t fathom in 1960, but whatever the method of delivery, the OA “secret” remains the 12 Steps of Overeaters Anonymous! 

Three Cheers to OA!!!

Sue B. - Region 1

​Recently I had the occasion to be a “newcomer” in a  non-OA situation: an established book club I was attending for my first time.  Clearly I was a new face -- I’d never attended before, yet no one made an effort to greet me, help me find a seat in a crowded room, or hand me a blank name tag to fill out. 
 
When the organized discussion concluded and there was casual chatting, no one walked up to me to say hello.  I felt like I’d been transported back to being “the new kid on the block!"
 
OA to the rescue!  Before attending, I had “huddled” with my Higher Power, turning over the results and making a commitment to show up with enthusiasm and a smile (Step 11).  When the anger and fear popped up around my perception of the experience, I was able to call on Step 10 for a quick “spot-check” inventory and practice a spirit of forgiveness.
 
“Step Ten allows us to recognize our emotions and walk through the pain they cause us. We then let them go, turning our feelings over to our Higher Power so that we can regain our emotional balance.” (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, p. 156). This step has been a lifesaver for those emotional stumbling blocks that come up in my daily life.
 
I may or may not give that book club a second try;  if I go back, perhaps I can start a new trend of actively watching for and welcoming a newcomer.   The experience was certainly HP’s reminder to “always to extend the hand and heart of OA: for this I am responsible” and to practice this principle in all my affairs - including book club!

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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