Love and Perseverance

September/October 2024

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Interested in starting a new meeting?


The Connecticut OA Intergroup has a great tool kit with everything you need to know about starting a new meeting.


Check it out on our website: New Meeting Toolkit

Meeting Updates

We have 26 active meetings in our area, 18 online (in full or in part), 1 phone only, 11 in-person (in full or in part). We invite you to try a new-to-you meeting and explore the different formats. All meeting details can be found on our website.

OA Happenings

September 29 2-4pm: Relapse Prevention & Recovery Workshop St John's Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06117 2pm - 4pm

October 25 – 27: Together We Recover in person OA Region 6 convention in Nashua, NH

November 15 - 17: Retreat: New Beginnings at Enders: Recovery with Step Eleven

September & October Steps:

Step 9

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

Step 10

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

"The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd edition, copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”

Traditions 9 & 10

Tradition Nine: Structure

How do we practice the Ninth Tradition?

  • Do we use patience and humility in performing each OA job we take?
  • Are we afraid to speak up when we see Traditions being ignored in our OA group or service body?
  • When doing OA service, can we trust the results to our Higher Power, even when things don't go the way we think they should?
  • Are we aware of all those to whom we are responsible when serving in any OA job?

Tradition Ten: Neutrality

How do we practice the Tenth Tradition?

  • Do we ever give the impression that there is an "OA opinion" on diets? On diet clubs' weight-loss program? On medical interventions for weight loss? On medications? On psychiatrists or therapists? On eating disorders treatment centers? On churches, religions, or spiritual beliefs? On nutrition? On food plans? on exercise? On sugar? On other Twelve Step groups?
  • Do we ridicule any of these or show them disrespect?

Excerpts from "The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd edition, copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”

Living the Step Principles

Step 9: Love

Others might refused our attempts to make restitution. In some rare instances, there will be those who refuse to accept our apologies. If this happens, we release these people with love. We cannot control how others receive our amends.

Step 10: Perseverance

In Step Ten, we discovered the value of perseverance in working the Twelve Steps. Practicing this Principle in all our affairs today means that we continue to do the things that have brought us healing, even though we sometimes wonder if we still need to, or during times we may not want to. Perseverance brings us the reward of continuing, permanent recovery.

Excerpts from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd edition, copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”

Step 9 Reflections

Many years ago, I went through the steps and did amends with family members and a few friends. They were gracious enough to listen to me go on about how sorry I was. Some were accepting

of what I was doing, others not accepting at all and didn’t want to hear anything about amends

or what I had to say. My sponsor told me that it was OK if people didn't accept my amends. I

did my part and that was all I could do.


A few years ago I went through the steps again and I had a much different experience. Some of

the people I approached wanted to know more about what and why I was doing what I was

doing. The responses to my simple, to the point, amends were accepted. I was then able to let

go of long term resentments and began to feel free.


What happened after I finished the process amazed me. I had always believed in God, but

never felt like I had a connection to God. After completing this process I felt a definite

connection to God and it changed everything for me. The time I spend in prayer and meditation

changed. I joined an early morning meditation group. I began to have a much greater trust

in God, and it continues to grow.


I encourage anyone who has not completed Step 9 to do so. Keep it simple and don’t be afraid

to approach people. Let go and let God guide you in this process. It changed me and it can

change you too.

In OA Love and Service,

Robin L.


Overeaters Anonymous has given me the 12 wonderful Steps to help me be aware of my thoughts and actions so I can make corrections as needed and have meaningful relationships with family and friends.  I don't want to return to my lonely isolated life of the past where my thinking and behavior kept me in a dark place. I practice daily taking a quick inventory to try to keep my self on a positive track because I have and will continue to make mistakes. I have gratitude for the tool of making amends.

-Anonymous from Connecticut

Step 10 Reflections

A nightly written and shared Step 10 has been a tool that helps me practice these principles in all my affairs. It is helpful to use the sample nightly inventory worksheet from the Twelve Step Workshop & Study Guide. Each night, I look at the events of the day through the lens of the principles and reflect on feelings, understanding, and actions that would promote the best relationships going forward. I surrender the gaps in my abilities to God. I find more support is revealed because of this reflection when talking with fellows and walking through the next interactions. Thank you to many recovering compulsive eaters for the OA literature and tools to improve all areas of my life regarding the food and beyond. 

-Anonymous

One day at a time
Disclaimer: personal stories and quotes throughout this newsletter express the experience, strength, and hope of the individual member and not of OA as a whole.


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