Overeaters Anonymous-Beach Cities! - Recently Updated Pages

Helpful Web Sites & Contact Info.

oabeachcities — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:22:10 CDT

OA World Service website:

http://www.oa.org

OA/Region 2

http://www.oar2.org/

For online OA meetings:

http://www.therecoverygroup.org

A Site with everything 12-Step!
Including information on conferences, seminars, stories and a bookstore:

http://www.anonymousone.com

Our Friends in Print:
Steps For Recovery Magazine

A very fact filled and helpful site with links that provide extensive help:

SomethingFishy .org

A Web Site Devoted to AA history and trivia. AA is the 12-Step group that started them all:

http://www.aahistory.com

AA Central Offices/California

http://www.step12.com/california.html

Online and e-mail meetings for teens:

http://www.oa12step4coes.org/loops/teen.html

Never Alone

Home of OA-Beach Cities InterGroup!

oabeachcities — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:21:19 CDT

Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous in the Beach Cities area of Southern California. We have merged with our sister-group South Bay Intergroup that can be reached at:

So. Bay Intergroup - Overeaters Anonymous
(310) 802-4066 or (562) 493-9030
PO Box 918, Harbor City, CA 90710
Internet: www.OAsouthbay.org
Email: sbiFreeFlight@hotmail.com

This site is for OA members who want to leave thoughts, comments, find a meeting or start a recovery column! Please join and you may do so anonymously using your e-mail account and a nickname.
If you need help setting your account up with this site see the assistance page.

Enjoy the site and we hope you keep coming back!

(Hermosa Beach)

®Beach Cities InterGroup

November 1999

Disclaimer: Any ads on this site that are unrelated to OA or OA Beachcities are not our ads and we are not responsible for their content. Webhost has been notified and they may remove the ads in the future or gear them towards 12-Step only.

All Southern California Intergroups Sites

oabeachcities — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:46:22 CDT

InterGroup Site Links & Telephone Numbers:

CALOAHOW (310) 364-4359
http://www.scn.org/oahow/

Foothill (626) 568-7511
http://www.oafoothill.org/

Inland Empire (909) 725-2080
http://go2oa.org/

Los Angeles (323) 653-7652
http://www.oalaig.org/index.html

Orange County (714) 953-0990
http://www.oaoci.org/

Region 2 (415) 459-2107
http://www.oar2.org/

San Fernando Valley (818) 342-2222
http://www.oasfvalley.org/oasfvalley/

San Gabriel Valley (626) 335-3355

South Bay (562) 493-9030
http://www.oasouthbay.org/index.htm

World Service Office (505) 891-2664

http://www.oa.org

Notice: You can register your new group with the OA WSO on-line at:

https://secure.yourmis.com/oa.org/register_online_group.html

Local Meetings

oabeachcities — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:44:40 CDT

(Please see attachment on the bottom to see & copy meeting list and Free Flight of South Bay Intergroup)

Please note: OA Beach Cities is merging with South Bay Intergroup. Please use the Free Flight attached at the bottom & print it out as your meeting resource. Changes are still being made so this is a temporary list of meetings in the Beach Cities until the transition is done.

Sunday

3:00pm
Redondo Beach-David Hayward Center
Rotating Formats the first, second and fifth Sundays
Step Reading,Writing and sharing format.
Bring your journal to the 3rd and 4th Sundays.

Monday

Redondo Beach - OA Office (Literature) 6:00pm

Tuesday

Redondo Beach - OA Office (Literature) 10:00am

Redondo Beach - OA Office (Women’s) 6:00pm

Wednesday

Redondo Beach - OA Office 6:00pm

Hermosa Beach - St. Cross Church (Women’s) 7:30pm

Thursday

Redondo Beach - OA Office (Step/Writing) 12:00pm

Redondo Beach - OA Office 6:00pm

Redondo Beach - Christ Episcopal (Step Study) 7:30pm

Friday

Manhattan Beach - Community Church 9:00am

Redondo Beach - David Hayward Center 6:00pm

Saturday

Redondo Beach - OA Office 6:00pm

Thursday 6pm Secretary's note:

There is a walking group before
this meeting and most
other days at 5:00pm
at the track in back of the
Redondo Beach PerformingArts Center
Join us for an informal 'meeting before the meeting'
for a comfortable and casual "walk for health".
Call Walter @ 1-310-294-0268 on his cell.

Addresses and Map-Links to Local Meetings:

OA Beach Cities Office:
2222 Artesia Blvd,
Redondo Beach, CA. 90278

David Hayward Center
2000 Artesia Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA. 90278

St. Cross Episcopal Church
1818 Monterey Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA. 90254

Community Church
303 S. Peck (In the Back, Upstairs)
Manhattan Beach, CA.

Christ Episcopal
408 S. Broadway Ave (in the back)
Redondo Beach, CA. 90277

On-Line Meetings for Teens

http://www.oa12step4coes.org/loops/teen.html

The Free Flight that includes all of South Bay meetings and more information.

Never Alone Again

For Meetings in other areas see the Local Intergroups Page and you may also find meetings located worldwide by going to the WSO site at:

OA World Service:http://www.oa.org

Current Events

oabeachcities — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:30:09 CDT

___________________________________________________________________

23rd Annual Tahoe Retreat

"Serenity in the Sierras"
Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17, 2008
Cost: $165 for double/triple occupancy
Contacts: Mariel (916) 456-3949 and Judy (916) 731-8307
Click here to view the website.

August

The Channel Islands Intergroup presents

Beyond Our Wildest Dreams
5th Annual OA Women`s Retreat

Friday, August 01 - Sunday, August 03, 2008

Cost: $115 before July 1
$125 after July 1

Rancho Alegre, near Santa Barbara
2680 Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Cost includes six meals
$60 day rate for those not staying over

A few private cabins are available at an additional cost.

For further information contact:
JoAnna (805) 403-8080
Marcia R. (805) 688-3003
Click here to see the flyer*

_______________________________________________________________
The Men`s “Tool Time” meeting presents

“Surrender To Win”
21st Annual Southern California
Men’s Retreat

Friday, August 01 - Sunday, August 03, 2008

Cost: $190.00 pp, triple occupancy

la Casa de Maria
800 El Bosque Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

What do you get?
1) Enjoy a wonderful weekend of fellowship with other men in recovery.
2) Two leaders who have worked all 12 Steps of recovery.
3) You also get two (2) nights of lodging and four, count ‘em, four (4) meals, which include breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday morning.

For further information contact:
Steve G. (949) 433-7402
Click here to email Steve G.

Daniel S. (805) 636-6489
Click here to email Daniel S.

Click here to see the flyer*
Click here for a map

___________________________________________________________________
The Orange County Intergroup presents

27th Annual
Weekday Marathon
and Longtimer Reunion

Wednesday, August 06, 2008
10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Cost: Suggested Donation: $6.00

Neighborhood Community Center
1845 Park Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA

one block west of Harbor Blvd. at 19th Street
behind the “Costa Mesa Courtyards” - next to fire station

Speakers from 10 AM to Noon
Lunch* Meeting from 12:15 to 1:15
Speakers from 1:30 to 3 PM

All at least one person you haven’t seen in a while and tell them we are going to:
Renew old friendships and start new ones.
Speakers from L.A., San Diego and Orange Counties

(*Bring your brown bag lunch if you want---also, close to very nice restaurants)

For further information contact:
Chris P. (call before 9PM) (714) 557-1380
Click here for a map

________________________________________________________________
The South Bay Intergroup presents

New Freedom Retreat

Friday, August 22 - Sunday, August 24, 2008

Cost: $180 - before June 28
$205 - after June 28

Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Road
Encino, CA 91436

Double occupancy rooms with private bathrooms
Picturesque ground, heat and air conditioning

Space limited to 46 participants, so don`t delay!

Do not forget our famous "No Talent Show" on Saturday night.

For further information contact:
Vickie M. 310/831-3119
Click here to email Vickie M.

Eda S. 310/833-3756
Click here to email Eda S.

Click here to see the flyer*

September

The Foothill Intergroup presents

Big Book Boot Camp
A day of Big Book study
with a special teacher

Saturday, September 27, 2008
12:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Cost: Suggested Donation: $15.00

Sparr Heights Community Center
1613 Glencoe Way
Glendale, CA 91208

Reservations MUST be made in advance
Limited space! Reserve now via EMail (preferred)!

E-mail reservations preferred or call and leave your name and phone number.

*Includes Big Book Q&A: Get your Big Book questions answered.
*Boot Camp will begin promptly at 12:45pm
*30-minute Bring-Your-Own meal break, 5pm on outdoor patio.
*Street parking is available.
*Location is near Montrose and the Verdugo Blvd exit off 210.
*Map and directions provided when you RSVP.

For further information contact:
Mary 323 255 0143
Click here to email Mary

Click here to see the flyer*

October

The Orange County Intergroup presents

BIG BEAR RETREAT
“Having a relationship with
ourselves, God & the Universe”

Friday, October 03 - Sunday, October 05, 2008

Cost: $130.00 p.p., prior to 9/5/08
$150.00 p.p., after 9/5/08

Presbyterian Conference Center
575 Prairie Lane
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Dorm style for above pricing
Cottages also available: $170.00 p.p. (limited #, Call)

$25 non-refundable. $50.00 deposit will hold your spot, balance due 9/26/08.
Registrations received after 9/26 subject to availability

For further information contact:
Jeanine G. (562) 301-6127
Click here to email Jeanine G.

Click here to see the flyer*
Click here for a map

___________________________________________________________________
The San Diego Intergroup presents

Serenity Retreat

Friday, October 10 - Sunday, October 12, 2008

Cost: $135.00 until May 31st
$155.00 from Oct. 1 onwards

Palomar State Park
San Diego County, CA

All meals are provided, from Friday dinner at 6PM through
Sunday breakfast at 8:30 AM. Vegeatarian meals available.

Refrigerator and microwave available for your special foods.

Dorm Buildings: Bring bedding, pillow, blankets or sleeping bag, towels, and personal items.

Suggestions: AA Big Book / OA literature, lawn chair, flashlight, coffee mug, writing materials. Sorry, NO PETS. NO VISITORS, NO PARTIAL PAYMENTS. Camp is smoke-free.

For further information contact:
Milly D. (619) 463-9683
Click here to email Milly D.

Click here to see the flyer*
Click here for a map

_____________________________________________________________

The “ABC’s” of Abstinence

Sunday, October 26, 2008

11:00 AM To 6:00 PM

Registration at 10:30 AM - Program Starts at 11:00 AM

$15.00 Donation

Space is limited; register now to reserve your spot!

Bring a bag lunch; Drinks & snacks for sale

(45 minute lunch time break at 1pm)

OA Office

7133-B Darby Ave, Reseda CA

Led by an OA member from LA with 19 years of abstinence and over 100 lb weight loss.

Torrance Beach facing Palos Verdes

Poetry by Linda Mac

oabeachcities — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:46:44 CDT

Better that a Fistful of Fried Chicken

Having lost 80 pounds I am very grateful to
God All the blessings I have received
Along with that weight loss I’ve released fears, too
And found a strengthen from within
Now, I can really laugh At things that used to scare me
Before Program I would eat to numb those fears
With a bucket of my favorite food
To fill that empty space deep within
Now, I write about those feelings
Using the Twelve Steps And I laugh at the way
My mind thinks sometimes
When I am living Just for today

Linda Mac

O4/28/08

Something I’ve learned in Program

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”
This Scripture comes to my mind,
When I think of where I am now.
Grateful to be rid of extra weight,
And the freedom to be of service to others.
My work is fun and so are my co-workers,
We enjoy each others company,
When things go rough we can smooth it out,
Together we can fight adversity.
This is Program in action,
Something I’ve learned from OA.
Working with others in committees and inter groups,
With God’s help,
I can be in a position of service, and be of service,
Working at my job,
Getting paid for it too!

Linda Mac
January 23, 2008

Miracles of Honesty

The gratitude list
Keeps getting longer
As I focus on God
Instead of myself
Those fears and doubts
I used to cry about
No longer have the strength
They once did
No, I am free to love and be honest
With others
But first it had to start with me.
I am grateful to God
For these things of His Spirit
Revealed in my heart, in His timing.
That I’ll not forget
The grace and mercy He gives,
I have learned from God to accept.

Linda Mac
February 4, 2008

Recover the Promises

God has opened my eyes this morning,
To new possibilities.
The realities of life, my life,
Learning to live in His Promises.
As long as I am willing
Everyday to say
“God, I am powerless,
Help me find my way.”
He sets me on the road
That leads to recovery
To become what I truly
Believe to the best of my ability.
With God guiding me along the way,
As I recover the promises
He gave to those of us
Living in recovery.

Linda Mac
January 16. 2008

Two Friends

Two friends have let me know
Just how devastating this disease is
They are saying that there is no hope
And that the willingness to continue
Just isn’t there for them anymore.
Take one look at what God
Is able to do,
Just one look and you will see in yourself,
The miracle that you are,
Today, you are able to breathe,
Today, you can make the right choices in your food,
Today, you can smile and write another email,
Pick up the phone, and reach out to another,
All these things are what you can do,
What can I do for you?

Linda Mac
January 4, 2008

The God of my Desires

As I look back on “two- oh- seven.”
It seem as if I were in heaven
God has certainly directed my path
Those doubts and fears
He has laid to rest.
What an amazing year
Yet to come!
What a relief to believe
In someone
Greater than myself
As I admit powerlessness
And find the faith to believe
All things are mine
Beyond my wildest dreams!

Linda Mac
January 1, 2008

Grateful to Wait Quietly

This December morning,

I listened to the sounds,

Of peace and quiet.

No more hustle and bustle of shopping,

Or cooking gourmet meals,

For all that is done now,

It’s a time of being still.

In the serenity of this favored Morn

The Birth of the Savior,

A day we celebrate,

Through the giving of gifts,

With food and family, too.

Today, I use the Tools of Recovery

As the gifts,

This Program has given me.

Linda Lee Mac

December 25, 2007

Christmas Time in L.A.

It’s finally here,

And I’m off work for ten whole days.

I came home on Friday,

Sick and tired of driving everywhere,

So I decided to walk within a five mile radius,

And Freddie is joining me too.

We have been blessed with prefect weather,

And walking makes me slow down,

And enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas,

The smells coming from the homes, the decorations,

Children playing in the park anxiously waiting for

Christmas Day.

The hustle and bustle of preparation is no where in sight

We enjoy walking to the restaurants and neighborhood stores

At Christmas Time in L.A.

Linda Mac

December 24, 2007

ADHD

I have “ADHD”
You may be wondering what that is.
My daughter in law sent the family
Gift certificates from Amazon.com
I did not know what they were,
But instead of throwing them out,
As I would have before Program,
I left them for my husband to figure out.
Inside were gift cards for forty dollars.
When I wrote back to tell her thank you,
I said I have this malady
“ADHD”
She wrote back,
“What’s that?” “Attention Deficit in High Definition?”
Merry Christmas
Linda Mac
December 21, 2007

Christmas Time in the Trailer Park

Seeing the decorations at night where I live,
Reminds me of my mother,
How she loved Christmas in her mobile home.
Lights, animated figures and a neon Christmas tree,
With all of her favorite Norman Rockwell
ornaments hanging on the tree
Presents all over, huge packages, gorgeously wrapped
She was finished by Thanksgiving,
with her shopping complete
Thinking about her, I started to cry
I don’t what to celebrate Christmas without her.
But she came into my heart just now, and told me
“Remember the good things, and write about them instead.”
So I am sharing a little bit of myself this holiday season
For those of us who go on living
Remembering our loved ones
And the reason for the season,
God is love.

Linda Mac
December 6, 2007

Would It Be Enough?

This morning during mediation
I asked God why it is
I haven’t lost these last 30 pounds of my goal weight.
“Would it be enough?” He asked me in return, “or would I want to lose more?”
That has been my story, All through out my life.
When are enough ever enough; Food, clothes, cars, and a home?
I could not give more of myself the love I craved,
I was always looking to outside sources.
Until I learned to accept myself for whom I am today.
I realized I needed to love me more, and things less,
That’s when I got more things!
So this morning I gave myself
This challenge of loving me more
And hugged myself from the depth of my heart
And Who should be there?
But God, for He loved me first.

Linda Mac
November 30, 2007

My Heart is in Your Hand

My heart is in Your Hand, O God
To be as You want me to be.
I can see You
Desire only the best for me
To live in peace and security with You
To guide and protect me
The stuff that gets in my way
Is my own personality and things I think I can’t live without.
You brought me up from the miry clay
and the deep pit of despair
I love the changes,
You have made in me
Take away the desire for extra food
Lord, that I can be free of the doubts and fears
My hand and my heart are in Yours.

Linda Mac
November 27, 2007

Prayer for the Still Suffering

I think about the many times

I have been given looks of compassion
and not condemnation,

From thin women when I was still suffering.

They seemed to have been looking
straight into my heart,

And all without judging me.

I realize now,

That they were once me.

But OA changed them and so did recovery.

So I say a prayer for the ones I see sitting alone,

In an empty parking lot in their cars,

Eating hamburgers by themselves.

There I am but for God’s grace and OA recovery

I pray that they want what I have,

And are willing to go to any lengths to get it.

Linda Mac

November 25, 2007

It Could Have Been Me

Yesterday, while waiting in line, to pay for some books I got.
A woman of about thirty-five
So heavy, she was barely alive
Slowly, but with determination tried to get on an exercise bike.
Her husband, hovering closely by, wanted to give her some help.
“Honey, she said, I’ve got to be able to do this myself.”
His patience and love was evident to all
as he watched her every move.
She did it!
And looked up at me with the reflective pain of her life, I could clearly see.
I prayed silently, “God, help her everyday to use this machine”.
But it could have been me.
Before OA, and the blessings I receive.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to share
This story with you,
And as you go about your day,
Would you also pray for those still suffering,
They are out there, wondering what to do.
It could have been me.

Linda Mac
November 15, 2007

I Don’t Know

Saying “I don’t know,” is freeing,
And a great place to start.
Only fear and its limitations,
Can stop me from reaching out.
To say that something is hard to do,
Gives fear the job of doing it.
Am I giving back all that I can?
To people and the way our Program works?
Why should I be afraid?
“I don’t know,” are the three most freeing words,
I could ever say.
I know God is watching over me,
And lovingly keeps me coming back,
To Him, our way of life, and to each other,
Through daily meditation and quiet time,
He is able to reach in and release all my anxieties
Saying “I don’t know,” to God,
Was the best thing I ever did.

Linda Mac
November 13, 2007

Plate Patrol

My husband and I have this little game we play,

It’s one of those games that we don’t talk about,

But that we covertly watch each other about.

Who has left more or less on their plate after a meal?

It doesn’t matter if it’s dinner, breakfast, or

Lunch, our eyes are shifting to and fro.

Even if I go to bed and he gets in the fridge,

The next morning I will inspect the garbage to see

What he ate or if he didn’t throw any in.

If the plate is turn upside down,

He’s just doing that to make me mad

Because he knows I will reach my hand in

To see exactly what he had.

That’s my job,

That’s what I do,

I’m a compulsive overeater,

And if you’re laughing at this,

I know you’re one too!

Linda Mac

November 12, 2007

Step Up

We have heard it said

That the Lord disciplines those He loves

As an earthly father disciplines,

So does God; but with a higher love.

At the present moment my personal discipline is faith,

Learning to wait upon God,

Is a discipline of faith.

I am very grateful to have been shown this today,

As I remember all the things I want to happen in my life

I need to remember that I am not in charge

That God is and has my will and my heart

As His primary concern

He will give to me all the desires of my heart,

In His prefect timing

In the meantime,

I am to step up, and

Walk in

The discipline of faith.

Linda Mac.

November 6, 2007

New Freedom Retreat

I’m still bathed in

The Golden Glow Of our retreat.

“I don’t want to go to work, God,"I said,

“I’d rather stay here, and be loved,
and nurtured through

The Spiritual connection and the meditation,

I’ve learned to connect to You with”.

“No, God gently told me,
“you must take what you have learned and

Apply it to this hurting world,

Through daily living in the life
I have blessed you with,

Don’t worry; I’m with you, my child”.

Thank You God, I said,

As I start my new day,

God’s mercies begin afresh each day.

Linda Mac

November 5, 2007

My Own Agenda

Lately I’ve been frustrated
About my weight and things
I am so grateful to God,
For the many miracles He brings.
But I have my own agenda
Written by myself,
And right there shows me,
I should put it on the shelf.
My program is not one of me, or I, or self,
But of us, and we, and each other,
And of those still suffering.
Thank You God for reminding me
Once again it seems
That to release my struggles gives me,
The Power of the unseen, and
Surrendering daily to my HP
Is the most complete
Serenity.

Linda Mac
October 16, 2007

Willing to go to Any Length

Yesterday I got on the scale,
I’d been feeling kind of bloaty lately,
And perhaps eating more than I ought.
The scale read 214,
Oh my God, that’s a lot!
But I did not panic or say,
“What’s the use?”
Instead I threw out the ice cream, and went to the books;
That’s where I saw some of my food abuse.
So, I formed a new food plan; while the family ate turkey,
I just had plenty of grapes.
This morning I got on the scale again,
I’d gotten rid of the weight;

Thirteen pounds to be exact!
It was a test to see if I’d shake,
But I passed this test,
Because of God’s grace.

Linda Mac

September 23, 2007

lindamac12steps@ yahoo.com

New Poem 9-21-07

Did they see the beauty of my daughter?

When she had her interview?
The teachable way she; her heart and soul,
Through her deep and lovely eyes?
Her patience with other people especially with me,
Is truly a gift of God, in recovery.
When I was living in the despair,
Of my disease of overeating,
The guilt and shame, the denial too,
Bought on temper tantrums and rages of emotions,
That my daughter accepted as normal;
The way I tried to control, everything but me.
God, You blessed me in the knowledge of Recovery
Through learning from my daughter

Patience, kindness and above all else,
Unconditional love.
I realize the longer I’m in Program
The more I depend upon God.

Linda Mac
September 21, 2007

Thought for the Day

Sprg4evr — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:34:21 CDT

Just wanted to say something.
I've been struggling lately.
I know what I need to do.
I need to surrender to something greater than myself
I need to be grateful to this program of recovery and promises which I have received this far.
I need to embrace the ability to make a choice.
I need to "Let Go" and "Let God"
I am a grateful recovering compulsive overater.
I went to my meetings this week.
I prayed.
I meditated.
I talked to my Higher Power.
And, I listened.
What message did it lead me to?
Do what's in front of you, right now.
Don't worry about the stuff that makes my head spin.
Don't 'work out' my issues with my loved ones the way I used to.
Be present.
Be prepared to be a vessel of unconditional love.
Be welcoming to all God's gifts -- the sorrows as well as the joys.
Live.
One day - only today!
Read.
Write.
Listen.
Grow.
Allow myself to make mistakes and accept that this is the humanness God wanted for us.
Its in our ability to ask for help that help finds us.
What else? Just be.
Learn, to just 'be'.
and say, "that's enough."
Thanks be to God

Attitude is everything!

Today will be what we make it.
Regardless of the weather, the
kinds of work to be done, the
personalities crossing our paths,
we'll feel joy and peace if that
is our choice.

Agonizing over circumstances that
aren't to our liking or dwelling
on our failure to control other people,
whether friends or foes, has robbed
us of the happiness that is always ours
to experience. Depression, anger, fear,
and frustration shadowed our steps
because we didn't take control of the
only thing that's ever been in our
control absolutely - attitude.

It's so easy to blame others for every
wrinkle in our lives. But as we grow
accustomed to the idea of taking full
responsibility for how we think and feel,
we'll be empowered. No longer will our
sense of self feel diminished. And, as
Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying,
we will be just as happy as we make up
our minds to be.

Nobody can mess with my attitude but me!

Personal Struggles of a Compulsive Overeater

oabeachcities — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:41:27 CST

I am not sure how to begin this page, but I have been in OA for 3 and a half years now but not actively going to meetings for many months. Part of that was due in Large part to my personal life tragedy, my husband left me for another woman a little over a year ago now. Being addicted to food because of family teaching, physical health issues, stress, boredom, hurts, self-esteem issues, and many more I don't know if I have even touched on in my own recovery has not been a help during this time. I had some small amount of recovery, but I could barely function during this massive life upheaval and in the course of facing my heartbreak and the emptiness that follows I have grown incredibly closer to God and still have not returned to the nightmare state I was in when I first walked into the Beach Cities Friday night meeting.

I miss the meetings, but I have been going to school and working and really trying to do to many things. I am tired and really long to go to meetings again. This road of recovery sometimes slows down when tragedy like divorce occurs. It was important for me to focus on continuing to live, which was more difficult than I had thought it would be during this time. I have grown, which mainly means that I have been in a lot of pain, growing and changing requires a lot of pain sometimes. I can say that I am on the upswing although throughout the Holidays it has not been easy. My food issues have not really changed and I have eaten a lot of food I have no control over once I take that initial bite. But I am not hopeless or discouraged, because I often repeat the Serenity Prayer and keep reminding myself it is "One day at a time" and I keep remembering the principles taught to me in OA. My family does not support my efforts in OA nor do they understand, but I would not be where I am if it were not for the few years I had in OA prior to this life altering nightmare that happened at the end of August, 2006.

I want to thank you, all of you out there who were there for me and who gave me understanding when I just couldn't keep the responsibilities I had signed on for. I was a mess, could barely get out of bed to go to work and soon realized I wasn't capable of keeping all these responsibilities at that time. I couldn't have made it without you and I learned enough before to help get me through till now. I feel I am finally able to begin again and work on getting through this food addiction which unfortunately has not disappeared for me yet. Discovering new and more effective ways to deal with life, finding joy in the small things, and growing closer to God is my New Years Resolution.

I would like this to be a forum for thoughts and recovery. I welcome all who want to share there struggles to do so, we all need each other.

Matthew 6: 34

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Worshiping The Big Donut in The Sky & Other True Stories

oabeachcities — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:42:50 CST

Worshipping The Big Donut In The Sky

I was desperate. It had been fifteen long years since I had set foot in an OA meeting. I had regained all the weight I had lost and then some. I was now more than two hundred pounds overweight. I could hardly stand long enough to do my work as a hairdresser. I hid in shame in another 12-Step program and thankfully, have stayed sober for 19 years. I learned that if we have serious problems and it seems that there is no way out; work with other fellow sufferers. I drove up and down the main street near where I live always thinking that if I ever got back to OA I would like to start a meeting near my home, to lessen the excuses for not showing up. I called the nearest Intergroup, but felt put off when someone said that there wasn't much interest in starting a Friday meeting and the person said that it couldn't be done. My Higher Power knows that I am of a rebellious nature (aren’t we all?), especially when told I can't do something. The person who seemed not to be helpful actually made me more determined. Although fearful, I contacted the Overeaters Anonymous World Services Office in New Mexico, and they sent me out a New Group Starter Kit. I then noticed that there was a community center located in front of the local library. Tracking down the right contact for the building was difficult and the process tedious. I had to apply in writing, sign a contract as the responsible party, and then go down in person to meet the director of parks and recreation. So, dragging my poor tired body down there, I finally had the key in my hot little hand! So, now, there I sat in a large room all by myself, but at last, we now had a Friday meeting! It was just before my natal birthday in July of 1998. I got the meeting listed with the local Intergroup and put a small notice in the local newspaper. I found our first textbook in the local thrift store. The second meeting, I brought my dog. The third meeting, someone else showed up! So we had a meeting. The meeting grew, and I still did not have a single day of abstinence. I started attending other meetings nearby and farther away into other areas. I began to make many friends and we would go to meetings together. Several of us began to car-pool and caravan our way to meetings. I was attending four OA meetings a week Still, I would eat. I ate before meetings. I ate after meetings. The only time I didn't eat was during the meeting. I found a drive-through donut shop that had a huge landmark plaster donut for a sign. I began to worship the "Big Donut in the Sky." This donut shop (Randy's Donuts) is located in a dangerous high-crime area, yet I'd travel there to get my fix. I shared the same corner with the drug dealers. Me, with my bag of donuts. I would play the same song on my car's tape player, over and over. Bob Seger's song; "Come to Pa Pa." Truly, the theme song for my addiction. I bought a baseball cap with the store logo, and began to wear it when I went on a donut run. I guess it was an attempt at a disguise. I have since found out that there is a live camera at this establishment, which shoots live pictures of everyone in the donut line and broadcasts it at their web site! The horror! During this time, out of desperation and that it no longer seemed sensible to wait until I got abstinent to begin the steps; I began to work the first two steps, answering the questions out of the OA Twelve-Step Workbook. I finished writing out the answers to all of Step Two, but we could not find the time for my "Listener" (the word sponsor still intimidated me) to listen to it. I would find out later that God had a plan of His own. It finally came to a crashing end one night as I prepared for bed. I had 'kept coming back' for a year and a half, and never got a single day of abstinence. I was a complete failure. I now knew without a doubt that if I kept going the way I was going that I would die the death of a compulsive overeater. I suddenly knew without a doubt, that I could not stop. Not tomorrow, not on Monday, not ever. Terrified, I got into bed and prayed to God. "God, please help me. I cannot stop eating! Help me to do Your Will." I cried myself to sleep. During the night I had the following dream: I was doing a favor for an elderly woman. I had just washed and brushed her dogs (not a task I would normally volunteer to do!) and was returning them to her. She wanted to talk. She asked me what I really loved. I looked out the sliding glass doors to a view of the ocean. "I really love the way the sky meets the ocean in the horizon," I said. Then she said, "Tell me about God." I was quiet as I began inwardly to talk to God, "Now listen God, I’m sticking my neck way out here! Help me be an example of what You can do. Please help me." "I will show you what God can do. "I said. I looked at the ocean and the waves began to roll and foam white as snow. The sky began to swirl with white rolling clouds. I could see some figures in the distance, standing in the waves that now seemed to form a shelter for the figures. Now I could see that they were angels and someone else, (whom I have come to believe is the patron saint of my abstinence!) I was stunned and could hardly believe what I was seeing. I don't know how, because I never looked down, but I began to go out towards the vision I was looking out at and I met with the Glory out there. Just before the first step, I remember thinking, "Here I go God, I hope I'm ready!" Soon, I began to hear singing. For me I heard the song that means everything to me now, "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now, I'm found. Was blind, yet now I see!" I began to hear others joining in with the song, singing it over and over. I came back to the shore to be with the people that had come, attracted by all the singing. One by one, each person began to tell the pain of their lives. The real core pain. As each person spoke of what their pain was, all of us would feel it with them, then begin to sing again, and the pain would be healed. It happened over and over. More and more people came and joined in with the telling and the singing. Then there came a young girl who looked a lot like me. She began to tell of her pain. I reached out my hand to her. She was holding something wrapped up in a white napkin. As our hands touched, she said, "My pain is; that my father, who I thought loved me, left and never came back!" The agony struck me like a bolt of lightening. At once I knew this was my pain and she was me!" My own voice crying out, with the shock of that old pain, woke me up. I opened my eyes and hesitated for a few seconds. It was 4:30 am, September 25, 1999. The thought came to me that I better get out of my bed of sickness, loneliness, sadness and death! I jumped up out of that bed like it was on fire! With my newfound freedom, I jumped into the shower, singing Amazing Grace, my new theme song. I knew the war I'd had with food was over. At last, I finally knew that my eating disorder began at age ten, the day my father left us. It is one thing to intellectually know something, and quiet another to experience the real source of it. I now began to remember what the young girl in the dream was holding. It was a set of silver ware in a white napkin. The symbol of my addiction. I have learned since that the addiction wants one thing from all of us. It wants us to feed it until we are dead!God’s Grace can enter into us and expel the deadly compulsion. That is my belief. When I was finally at my most willing, only then was I entirely ready for the obsession to be removed. And it was. I got dressed and woke my husband up. He looked at me and said, "What the #@%*!! Time is it?" I said," Arise, honey, this is the day the Lord has made! "( or something like that.) "I have to see something." I said. He got up and went with me down to the beach. Sure enough there it was, in the horizon it does look like the ocean meets the sky. We went to breakfast at a coffee shop there in Hermosa Beach. I ate my first abstinent meal. The obsession to overeat had been completely removed from me. I called another member from OA and he met me for an abstinent lunch. That night, I had an abstinent dinner. I now had one whole day of abstinence. A miracle! I hardly knew how to act with a whole brand new clean day, free of the obsession to overeat for the first time in my life! Three days later, still abstinent, it occurred to me that our area needed a phone service. I established the much-needed answering service. Several more days later, I went down to the local cable company and got a public service announcement on the local community access channels. A couple more months later, a few sympathetic OA, and I started a new Intergroup, serving the beach areas and beyond. We recently helped someone calling from New Jersey, to find a meeting in her area! We had begun to sponsor people in remote areas of Kentucky and Texas through the mail. . We connect with people through e-mail and e-mail directories to them when needed. We fax meeting directories to anyone who wants one that way. We have the best bunch of people I have ever met doing service at all levels, volunteering their time to help our fellow suffers. They have saved my life. At a recent Intergroup meeting we prayed together for an office. Three days later, we had our office. That is now where I sit writing about these wonderful experiences to you. I have completed my 5th Step and I am beginning Step 8; I have 385 days of freedom from food obsession. I have lost 100 lbs. I am free at last! I continue to do service as a way of showing my gratitude, and as insurance of continued progress in the Program. Service has brought an end to my agony of isolation. After being blessed with abstinence I cannot think of a better way to spend my time than to travel this road to Happy Destiny, with you.

Charylene McC.
Hermosa Beach, California

chickiewoods@hotmail.com

Message In A Bottle

On 11/07/07 I sent out the following E-mail:

Hi, I am Charylene, Complusive Overeater. As I am changing and growing in this fellowship, I have also realized that my old ways of being and relating to the world have changed drastically. Sometimes I think, "If I am not what I used to be, then who am I?" The same old behaviors do not fit me now. I used to be more passive aggressive to avoid conflict, get my way or distance myself when hurt by someone. Now I am more open, direct and quicker to say I am sorry. Also just reacting in an honest manner is enough to clear up misunderstandings on the spot. Now it is all about having the courage to grow up to be who I am really supposed to be. This is what I am working on daily. And it seems to be my current life task and a two-sided sword of a gift! It can get scary because it is living close to the bone instead of faking life. By the Grace of God I am here and have this chance to do a "Do Over." The food has been calling me daily this whole week and I am putting it out there for your thoughts, prayers and support. I always try to be a lone ranger but that hasn't worked for me very well so far... Thinking of all of you today and sending blessings and love your way.

Here are the messages that came back to save my life:

Back atcha girlfriend. You do not have to eat the whole elephant at once. Are you eating often enough [I now have diabetes]? I love you my friend, for who you are, one day at a time. Sometimes it is a minute at a time. SS.

Awe. You were just totally of service to me. I am eating lunch while reading this and very encouraged as I am not full and want more, while at the same time don't want any of it inside of me. I am currently in a hospital program and the doctors there are really helping me. It is these times when I am alone with myself that are scary. For me, the journey right now is about learning to have a healthy relationship with food. To eat three balanced meals and two snacks, according to my meal plan. No more. No less. No purging. Its hard. But for the first time in my life, I am completely surrendering it to God and with support of people like you in my life, I know that I can make it. I love you dearly. Thank you for being in my life.

DK

Hi Charylene,
Just wanted to let you know that I got your email and you are not alone.
Thanks for sharing.
A.

Good morning

WOW, your email was powerful. I had been in that exact frame of mind this week
as well. So good to hear about the honesty that we need to pursue in life as opposed to hiding from life as we did prior to program. When my dis ease starts on me, I saw the serenity prayer to myself mouthing the words and I also ask God to remove the thoughts from my broken organ, the brain. God is doing for me what I cannot do for myself. I too am a lone ranger and use this character defect to escape and bolt away like a renegade. This gives me freedom from the reality of life. The food calls me constantly, I ask for god's help, he is always there, even if we want to be alone, we never ever, ever are.

Thanks for your insight.

F.

Hooray! Awesome! Way to go! God sure does good work when we let Him!

Keep in touch, Charylene!

Hey Charylene,
Thanks for the email. Good for you for reaching out! Change can be tough. But it sounds like it is bringing you to a better place in your life. Email or call me any time!
GE

Thanks for sharing! See thoughts of peace and happiness your way. Thinking of you and glad to be included, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

LB

Hi Charylene,

My name is C. and I am a member of the ________ Intergroup. I also am in charge of checking the intergroup's website for emails.
The food calls all too often to me as well. My sponsor reminds me that it's better than it was and "this too shall pass." I say, "OK, how about passing right now!!" Do you have a God box? I find it helpful to write issues or foods on small pieces of paper and place them in this box. It's an active form of surrender for me. The tool that really works best for me (when I'm willing to use it) is the phone. Remember your phone call out helps 2 people (just like your email helped me....really).

It takes courage to ask for help in person, by phone or by email. You are definitely in to action.

Take care,
C.

Hi, It is 4:20 on Wed and I have just read your message. What a great friend you are. It is wonderful to be so articulate. I have been listening to Micah's cd. Such talent, my cd only works part of the time in the car and right now it is working. The food is calling me also right now and i am trying not to respond. That's it for me. Bye BW

Hi Charylene,

Thank you for this wonderful thing. You are my great teacher. Yes, it is raw, and I don't like the feelings, the memories, the remorse! Blah so much fourth step work, what a drama queen! Oh, me oh my.

Thank you, because the food is tough for me this past few months, and I am praying for a reprieve, and you gave me a tiny one in your email.
I am praying with you, sister. One second at a time.
Love, S.

Dear Charylene,
I have missed you and thank you so much for trying to make contact during the fires. I am at work right now, but wanted to let you know what a great person I think you are. Always striving for growth even in the most uncomfortable of times. I hope we can connect soon.
Love, CD

The Grace of God provides our daily
respite from the voices in our heads,
tummies, or by the work on our desk to be done.
The difference in being in recovery is recognizing
that we have choices to turn toward the light of
life or to continue to do what we know does not work.
God does know how hard we've tried to have it our way...and He's just ever so ready to
welcome us home again. Like the lost sheep,
our HP is ready to do our fighting against those 'voices' knowing that faith and fear cannot coexist. All we need do is call His name. The battles are ours, but we are never
alone. You are not alone, my friend. You are a beautiful, intelligent, vital, and passionate woman! You have many gifts yet to share w/the world and the way
I see it ... the only way you get to share those gifts with a wretch like me is for me to be in the same holy place of recovery - of becoming whole again in mind, body, and spirit. We've got 2 of them already -- the last
one, our physical selves...well, the road to destiny is never far. It's right here, right now. We become who we believe we are. One day at a time!!
Peace of the Lord be with you, always! You are a beloved Child of God, my Fellow, my sponsor, my friend. I am blessed to share the journey of life
with you.... C. H.

I am blessed beyond any of my expectations and above my understanding. Thank you to all those who answered my "Message in a Bottle".

The 12 Rewards

oabeachcities — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:44:35 CDT

The Twelve Rewards

of the Twelve Step Program

Ann C. wrote this a number of years before
the 1985 International Convention
in Montreal, Canada where she set
it to tape at the Old-timer's Meeting.

She wrote it to show the contrast that
can take place in any of our lives
if we will try to follow the AA (for us OA) principles:

"We can all have Hope, instead of desperation;

Faith, instead of despair; Courage, instead of fear;
Peace of Mind, instead of confusion;
Self-respect, instead of self-contempt; Self-confidence, instead of helplessness, The respect of others, instead of their pity and contempt; A clean conscience, instead of a sense of guilt; Real friendships, instead of loneliness;
A clean pattern of life, instead of a purposeless existence; the love and understanding of our families,
instead of their doubts and fears;
and the freedom of a happy life,
instead of the bondage of an alcoholic
[or compulsive overeating] obsession.

All this and more through AA & [OA],
are we grateful enough? Gratitude will continue the miracle of your sobriety [abstinence], I found that out".
As written by Ann C. of Niles, Ohio - sober April 1, 1948

Quoted from the AA History Web Site

The official AA Web Site

Program Prayers

oabeachcities — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:22:38 CDT

Below is a collection of prayers that those in recovery have grown to value, cherish and use as our own.
We begin with the prayer said around the world in rooms all day and every day:

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen

History of the Serenity Prayer

THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong,
I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort
than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

Amen

The Basilica of St. Francis

http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/stfrancis/stf_basilica_st_francis.htm

The Third Step Prayer

God, I offer myself to thee
to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy power,
Thy love and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always.
Amen

The Seventh Step Prayer

My Creator, I am now willing
that you shall have all of me, the good and the bad.
I pray that you now remove from me
every single defect of character
which stands in the way of my usefulness
to you and my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here
to do your bidding.
Amen

The Eleventh Step Prayer

Lord, make me a channel of Thy peace
That where there is hatred, I may bring love
That where there is wrong
I may bring forgiveness,
that where there is discord, that I may bring harmony.
That where there is error, that I may bring truth
that where there is doubt, that I may bring faith.
That where there is despair, I bring hope.
That where there are shadows, that I may bring light.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek to comfort
rather than be comforted, to understand
rather than to be understood. To love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one reawakens to eternal life.
Amen

The Third, Seventh and Eleventh Step prayers
can be found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

12 Steps/12 Traditions of OA

oabeachcities — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:52:17 CDT

The 12 Steps of OA

1. We admitted we were powerless over food -
that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being
the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing
to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong,
promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact
with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

12 Traditions of OA

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants;
they do not govern.

3. The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups
or OA as a whole.

5. Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.

6. An OA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the OA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

7. Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

9. OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11.Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Reprinted from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous
with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. as adapted for Overeaters Anonymous.

We do the Steps together.

October Beach Cities Next Step Newsletter Page

oabeachcities — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:38:33 CDT

Need a meeting at 2:00 a.m.?

The LA InterGroup has the Virtual Speakers Bureau at their website: http://www.oalaintergroup.org/speakers/

See www.oa.org for:

A Step Ahead

Lifeline Subscription changes

New CD available - Hearing is Believing: OA Members Speak

Give e-Lifeline a Try!

12 Concepts of OA Service

My dear Fellows,

It’s already the end of September, can you believe it? Time does fly!! There has been much happening in the last couple of months – trying to keep in touch and not lose myself and savor the sensations – feelings can be scary for me.

We have a new website – oabeachcities.wetpaint.com – it was designed by another of our Fellows and offers much ...take a few minutes to check it out, provide comment, and let us know how to improve, share our experience, strength, and hope with others. We are hoping to be able to link onto Region’s website so that when people travel they will have the information at their hands.

What else? I have been reading this month on Step 9 – making amends – did you know that this means to make change, not necessarily apologies, but actions and deeds that reflect the person we are becoming as a result of the willingness to follow a power greater than ourselves and to trust in that power. For me, this journey of recovery has provided an endless number of blessings – ordinary blessings every extraordinary day that I live in the light of recovery. Continue to take good care, my friends. Hope to see you at a meeting soon!
With much love, Cindy

The opinion expressed here is that of an individual OA member and not the opinion of OA as a whole.

We have a new Sunday meeting at the David Hayward Center; stop by – it’s at
3:00pm. Rotating formats!

Please note: To download a copy of The Next Step that includes all the area meetings for Beach Cities and the South Bay, click the attachments tag on the left of this page and download it as a Word document that you can print out as needed.

The OA Tools of Recovery

oabeachcities — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:29:59 CDT

(Please note: All links on this page go directly back to OA World Services Office Site that carries all the OA books, liturature, meeting and other information from not only our immediate location in Southern California, but World wide.)

In working Overeaters Anonymous' Twelve-Step program of recovery from compulsive overeating, we have found a number of tools to assist us. We use these tools regularly to help us achieve and maintain abstinence.

A Plan of Eating
Sponsorship
Meetings
Telephone
Writing
Literature
Anonymity
Service

In Overeaters Anonymous (OA), abstinence is "the action of refraining from compulsive eating." Many of us have found that we cannot abstain from compulsive eating unless we use some or all of OA's eight tools of recovery.

A Plan of Eating

As a tool, a plan of eating helps us to abstain from eating compulsively. Having a personal plan of eating guides us in our dietary decisions, as well as defines what, when, how, where and why we eat. It is our experience that sharing this plan with a sponsor or another OA member is important.

There are no specific requirements for a plan of eating; OA does not endorse or recommend any specific plan of eating, nor does it exclude the personal use of one. (See the pamphlets Dignity of Choice and A Plan of Eating for more information.) For specific dietary or nutritional guidance, OA suggests consulting a qualified health care professional, such as a physician or dietician. Each of us develops a personal plan of eating based on an honest appraisal of his or her own past experience; we also have come to identify our current individual needs, as well as those things which we should avoid.

Although individual plans of eating are as varied as our members, most OA members agree that some plan — no matter how flexible or structured — is necessary.

This tool helps us deal with the physical aspects of our disease and helps us achieve physical recovery. From this vantage point, we can more effectively follow OA's Twelve-Step program of recovery and move beyond the food to a happier, healthier and more spiritual living experience.

TOP

Sponsorship

Sponsors are OA members who are living the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to the best of their ability. They are willing to share their recovery with other members of the Fellowship and are committed to abstinence.

We ask a sponsor to help us through our program of recovery on all three levels: physical, emotional and spiritual. By working with other members of OA and sharing their experience, strength and hope, sponsors continually renew and reaffirm their own recovery. Sponsors share their program up to the level of their own experience.

Ours is a program of attraction: find a sponsor who has what you want, and ask that person how he or she is achieving it. A member may work with more than one sponsor and may change sponsors at will.

Meetings

Meetings are gatherings of two or more compulsive overeaters who come together to share their personal experience, and the strength and hope OA has given them. Though there are many types of meetings, fellowship with other compulsive overeaters is the basis of them all. Meetings give us an opportunity to identify and confirm our common problem and to share the gifts we receive through this program.

Telephone

The telephone helps us share one-to-one and avoid the isolation which is so common among us. Many members call other OA members and their own sponsors daily. As a part of the surrender process, it is a tool with which we learn to reach out, ask for help and extend help to others. The telephone also provides an immediate outlet for those hard-to-handle highs and lows we may experience.

TOP

Writing

In addition to writing our inventories and the list of people we have harmed, most of us have found that writing has been an indispensable tool for working the Steps. Further, putting our thoughts and feelings down on paper, or describing a troubling incident, helps us to better understand our actions and reactions in a way that is often not revealed to us by simply thinking or talking about them. In the past, compulsive eating was our most common reaction to life. When we put our difficulties down on paper, it becomes easier to see situations more clearly and perhaps better discern any necessary action.

Literature

We study and read OA-approved pamphlets; OA-approved books, such as Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous and For Today; and we read Lifeline, our monthly magazine on recovery. We also study the book Alcoholics Anonymous, referred to as the "Big Book," to understand and reinforce our program. Many OA members find that when read daily, the literature further reinforces how to live the Twelve Steps. Our OA literature and the AA "Big Book" are ever-available tools which provide insight into our problem of eating compulsively, strength to deal with it, and the very real hope that there is a solution for us.

TOP

Anonymity

Anonymity, referred to in Traditions Eleven and Twelve, is a tool that guarantees that we will place principles before personalities. The protection anonymity provides offers each of us freedom of expression and safeguards us from gossip. Anonymity assures us that only we, as individual OA members, have the right to make our membership known within our community. Anonymity at the level of press, radio, films and television means that we never allow our faces or last names to be used once we identify ourselves as OA members. This protects both the individual and the Fellowship.

Within the Fellowship, anonymity means that whatever we share with another OA member will be held in respect and confidence. What we hear at meetings should remain there. However, anonymity must not be used to limit our effectiveness within the Fellowship. It is not a break of anonymity to use our full names within our group or OA service bodies. Also, it is not a break of anonymity to enlist Twelfth-Step help for group members in trouble, provided we refrain from discussing specific personal information.

Another aspect of anonymity is that we are all equal in the Fellowship, whether we are newcomers or seasoned long-timers. And our outside status makes no difference in OA; we have no stars or VIPs. We come together simply as compulsive overeaters.

TOP

Service

Carrying the message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers is the basic purpose of our Fellowship; therefore, it is the most fundamental form of service. Any form of service—no matter how small—which helps reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our own recovery. Getting to meetings, putting away chairs, putting out literature, talking to newcomers, doing whatever needs to be done in a group or for OA as a whole are ways in which we give back what we have so generously been given. We are encouraged to do what we can when we can. "A life of sane and happy usefulness" is what we are promised as the result of working the Twelve Steps. Service helps to fulfill that promise.

As OA's responsibility pledge states: "Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this I am responsible."

© Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.; World Service Office. Copyright may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission of OA, INC.

The Small Print Page

oabeachcities — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:26:58 CDT

Legalities and On-line Safety:

Terms & Conditions

It is important to realize that the information that appears on this Website is not meant as replacement for proper care from a doctor, therapists, nutritionist, support group, or other medical professional. We do not endorse any food plan nor make our members do anything against any personal belief systems. We only ask that those who participate have a desire to stop overeating and/or other food and diet related issues. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, dietitian, or other medical professional, with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this, or any other medical-related website.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, therapist or 911 immediately. OA Beach Cities does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by OA Beach Cities volunteers or members, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of OA Beach Cities or other visitors to the Site, you use solely at your own risk. In no event shall OA Beach Cities or anyone else mentioned on the Site be liable for any damages resulting from the use of or inability to use the OA Beach Cities Site or its Content.

The OA Beach Cities Website is meant to be used for informational purposes only, and to provide a place for peer-support to the friends and family of those suffering, and to those who suffer with Compulsive OverEating or other eating Disorders themselves. It is meant to give you some hope and incentive in reaching out for help, and to be a reference place of resources to get you started on your own personal road to recovery, through national organizations, local treatment options, on-line support, and links to other websites on the topic. Most of all it is meant as a reminder to everyone out there suffering, "you are never alone".

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us, but it is important to remember that the Internet is a public place. Any information that we collect when you sign up for any OA Beach Cities service is completely confidential. Because of the nature of communication through the Internet, we do not accept memberships to any area of the site from anyone who is under thirteen years of age without prior parental permission. If we find that a member is under the age of 13 their membership will be immediately suspended and an attempt to contact their parents will be made. This is in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. If you are over the age of thirteen, for your own safety we ask that when you do sign up for any service on OA Beach Cities, or any other place on the Internet, you please be careful with the personal information you choose to share including your last name, e-mail address, home address or telephone number. Use a nickname and e-mail address that will protect you from the public getting personal or use OA Beach Cities office phone number to use instead of your own if you would like. Messages left will be returned and passed on.

Thank you for letting us be of service!

Member's Lounge

chickiewoods — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:49:56 CDT

Hello, welcome to the Member's Lounge Page!

You can post your thoughts, stories or poems here. Come in, put your feet up and join us for a cuppa java and good conversation!

On Will

(An e-mail that has been traveling back and forth between our Next Step editor and I since 2003!)

Hi. I am thinking of you and wanted to share this about
what I feel and think about the program, and how grateful I am to be alive and have you in my wonderful circle of friends. When I am exhausted sometimes I get more clarity. On the way home from work tonight I thought of this; If I quit and run away from
the program and return to my old way of existence, because it was a poor and limited life, I am surrendering to the disease, submitting to death and insanity, instead of surrendering to God and OA/AA. Those are my choices at this moment. I will never be perfect, so I must let go of perfection and pride. Then I can go out and do something, and try to do my best. Doing service is taking action and submitting to doing the right thing, not always an easy job. By the grace of God I will continue to submit to my heavenly Father's will instead of my will to die. Pray for the answer and expect Grace.

Love you, Chickie Woods

Please note:
Our friends from AnonymousOne have provided the links below that go directly to their site:

[ BACK ] [ home | meetings | articles | meditations | events | seminars | stories | books ]

Links To Local Meeting Locations

oabeachcities — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:19:03 CDT

Our Mission Statement

oabeachcities — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:16:17 CDT

FIRST THINGS FIRST
EASY DOES IT
KEEP IT SIMPLE

OA is a fellowship of individuals
who, through shared experience,
strength, and hope are recovering from compulsive overeating (which includes excess exersize, anorexia and bulimia).
We welcome everyone who wants
to stop eating compulsively.
There are no dues or fees for members;
we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations.
OA is not affiliated with any public or private organizations, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine;
we take no position on outside issues.
Our primary purpose is to
abstain from compulsive overeating
and to carry this message of recovery
to those who still suffer.

©Overeaters Anonymous

The opinions expressed on this website are those of individual OA members and do not represent OA as a whole.

A Vision For You

oabeachcities — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:23:25 CDT

"...Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something that you haven't got. See to it that your relationship to Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.

Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.

May God bless and keep you-until then".

(Reprinted from Chapter 11, pg. 164-The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc.)

You may order literature on-line at:

http://www.oa.org/literature_catalog.htm

http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org/Product_Links.html

http://www.anonymousone.com/bovereateranonymous.htm

http://www.anonymousone.com/balcoholicsanonymous.htm

Opportunitity For Doing Service

chickiewoods — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:22:18 CDT

Please write, call or e-mail if you wish to do service at or contribute in any way:

Beach Cities InterGroup
P.O. Box 988
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

(310) 259-2710

oabeachcities@hotmail.com

We have a new meeting slot opening up for us at the David Hayward Center in Redondo Beach every Sunday between 3:00pm and 5:00pm. Here is your chance to start that Step Study or Speaker Meeting you always wanted! Just call and leave your name and number for more details!