​When I read the August 23rd meditation in For Today, the words: "put my life in the sunlight of the spirit and live" jumped out at me.

Program has gifted me with a life to live. I can appreciate that gift by seeking that sunny place, knowing that the sunlight of the spirit is always available.  My intention this year was the saying "lightness in my heart."  These words remind me not to take life or myself so seriously.  This can be a tough challenge.

I have felt incredible relief from depression and anxiety by using the spiritual practices of the OA program.  Because of this, I have a gratitude and an increasing "lightness in my heart" knowing that I am living in the sunlight of the spirit.

When I was growing up my brothers and I all had stories about a place where the sun shone.  We grew up in a rainforest and had a bit of a tough childhood with an abusive father.  We would explore the woods above our home.  I remember a special adventure when we had struck out into the woods where no trails existed. We were stumbling through rough undergrowth and then a small meadow appeared.  The sun broke through, and we felt such joy! It was beautiful.  We took our little hatchet on the way out and marked the trees, but we couldn’t find it again. I remember that sunny place and how it lifted me up out of my troubles.

There were many troubles in my life until I found program.  My first Twelve Step meeting was like that sunny meadow.  My spirits were lifted, and a path appeared.  I knew that I had found out how to live, truly live. The difference between that lost meadow and program is that the Twelve Step path is always here for me.  It doesn’t just lead to one sunny place but many.   

Lesley K. - Region One

​COVID, Isolation, and Me -- three words I never dreamed I would hear uttered in the same sentence. 

Then the nurse at my assisted living facility announced, "Jan, my dear, you tested positive for COVID. Regulations require you to be quarantined in your apartment for ten days."

My apartment is, in reality, a studio of seventeen steps long and ten steps wide. I was looking at twenty four hours times ten days with only my beloved kitty for companionship!

Through the course of these days I have maintained great health. I have ZERO symptoms, for which I have been alternately grateful and irritated. "But I don't feel sick" is my oft-repeated refrain.

Is my program strong enough to keep me from self-imploding or exploding?

What is helping me make it through ten days of isolation?

• Zoom meetings. Truly, Zoom is a timely, welcome way to attend meetings.
• My already-established practice of morning prayer, meditation, and OA literature. 
• My sponsor,  who has received even more numerous texts than usual during this time.
• My music playlist, which accompanies me to bed nightly.
• Callie, my aforementioned cat companion.

My isolation is almost over and I have learned on a deeper level what the Big Book says about trudging "the road of happy destiny."  I'm almost there!

Jan E. - Oregon Intergroup
Guest Blog

My first experience with adopting an intention was in my yoga class.  The instructor would start the class by suggesting that we have an intention for the class such as peace, joy, or breath.  I thought that was a great idea and tried to choose an intention each morning for the day. However, it was difficult to come up with a new intention each day and it didn’t give me much time to really get into the spirit of it.

Then an OA sponsor told me of her practice of choosing an intention for the year! That is a do-able goal and I enjoy looking for a word or phrase that seems to be calling me to explore it. 

I have chosen ‘Lightness in My Heart’  as my 2022 intention. 

How can we choose an intention?  Our program provides many ways.  Our steps and traditions each have a spiritual principle. For example, the spiritual principle of Step 5 is integrity, and the spiritual principle of Tradition 7 is responsibility.

I started this yearly practice in 2015 with the word Recovery as my intention. Then in 2016 I chose Becoming/Change, in 2017 Joy/Rejoicing, and in 2018 Balance/Healing.  For the last few years it has been more of a phrase: Be Peace/Practice Kindness in 2019 and Live, Love, and Learn to Let Go in 2020.  Last year (2021) I chose: Be Still, Wait, and Listen. 

How can we practice an intention?  I try to bring it into all parts of my day and into my actions.  I bring the intention to my mind during meditation and especially when I am using the tool of writing. Whenever I begin a new page in my journals, I write my intention at the top.  On my walks I bring the rhythm of the words into my mind and sometimes even say them out loud.  When I spend time in my yard and amongst my trees, I try to have ‘lightness in my heart’.  I share about my intention in my home meeting.  It is an intention that reminds me to be grateful and share joy. When I am reading the OA literature or other spiritual help books, I look for the words light and lightness.

Having an intention is another gift I’ve received from the Overeaters Anonymous program.  It helps me grow in recovery and realize the spiritual gifts in all areas of my life.  

​Lesley K. - Region One