How I work the tools
Using the tools in a part of my program, which I work to the best of my ability. Some better than most, but that’s a judgement, and I need to stop judging myself and accept where I am at this time.
Here goes the list. A familiar late night host’s voice just entered my head: “Here are my Top 10 Tools I Treasure”! 1
Meetings: I love having the best of both worlds (I no longer have my cake and eat it too). I love having a familiar meeting to attend, where everyone knows my name (I sense an ‘80s TV theme growing). I also love the post-COVID world of online meetings. If it’s 2:45 and I need a break from work? I go to oa.org and find a meeting. I search by topic, find something that is right for the time, and go for it.
I also have a “good meeting list” for familiar meetings. If it is the same time next week, I know I have a meeting that works for me.
Sponsorship: My two sponsors in OA have been amazing. My first one passed away, and an OA friend set me up with someone in Region 6 (Newfoundland of all places!) They don’t eat like I do, they don’t have my issues, but they run a program I find attractive, and their feedback is program-based and always fits. I send an inventory to my sponsor to keep me honest.
Telephone: I hate the phone.
What? I guess I can’t say this. The “telephone” also includes texts, emails and connection when I need it. Here’s the cool thing: Usually when I need contact, it comes inbound from an OA friend. I write a ton of emails, sometimes service-based, sometimes program-based.
A plan of eating: I rely on this tool to keepe abstinent. I weigh my food and keep to certain limits. If I hear my voice trying to get around it, I need to work on that. It’s a symptom of a deeper issue I can address.
Writing: I write. Not journals filled with a stream of consciousness. I am unable to write via pen, it’s a learning disorder I discovered. While I can write, good luck reading it 3 minutes after writing it.
But… I write in an email loop on occasion, I write my inventory and send it to my sponsor. So, I do write. It takes different forms, but it’s a good tool to get my feelings out of my mind and onto paper.
Literature: I don’t give myself enough credit for this one. I read our daily readers and some wallet-sized cards daily. I use a checklist of what I need to do, what I need to pray for, what I need to address and be aware of.
Sure, it’s not the typical “I spend 30 minutes reading books and then write on what I read,” but it works for the speed of my life.
Action plan: I can book time in my day to do things for recovery. What are those things? Pray, meditate, write, connect, and serve. As well, I need to keep with my workout schedule.
Anonymity: A newcomer to a meeting, who knew a family member of mine, once said “You better not say anything strange, or I’ll tell your wife.” They were a newcomer, not knowing the program or traditions, but that hit me. I want to be free to share as I need to in meetings. I need to respect other’s shares as well.
My HP helps with this. When I accept someone’s request to listen to their 5th step, my HP gives me the power of forgetfulness. It evaporates into the ether.
Service: OA has saved my life, so I believe that I owe OA a lot.
What is an hour of service a day (it’s never that much) for a program that lets me enjoy the other 23? And I enjoy my service. I also enjoy my paid employment, but it’s not the same as service. Service pays me back, as some of those folks calling are related to service, and I appreciate the fellowship of people I meet at intergroup, Region 6 and World Service.
Yes, I did a web search, it would be bad if I missed one.
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