I recently attended the Region 5 Fall Assembly representing my local Chicago area intergroup. Region 5 encompasses the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota. I was so impressed by the dedication and commitment of the other attending representatives there, and all the time and energy they are putting into spreading the message of recovery from compulsive eating in their areas. These delegates and myself have come to know the benefits of service. I was told early on in my recovery that “We can’t keep our recovery unless we give it away.” I did not understand this for a long time. But now I do, because I have given service in many ways over my 49 years in OA.
Service has gotten me out of myself. Anytime I serve in ways large or small, I receive. Like when I serve as a sponsor, for example, I speak recovery to my sponsee, but I am saying what I need to hear too. Or when I serve as a speaker at a meeting or a convention or retreat, I see heads nodding from the audience, reminding me that I am not alone on this recovery path. And when I talk to a newcomer who is searching for some relief from the pain of food bondage, and see the hope on their face when they hear that they can be set free, I am reminded that recovery is still there for me too. It really is a “win-win” program.
Service is one of our tools that we can use to strengthen and maintain our own recovery. We first need to receive recovery from others when we are new to the program, so we can begin to heal. Then after we feel stronger and have some abstinence, we can serve. There are so many ways to do this: setting up chairs for a meeting; making and receiving calls or texts; being a greeter or serving in other meeting positions; and then moving on up to intergroup, region, and World Service levels to serve as reps, chairs, and trustees.
Remember that service produces growth and strengthens recovery. And this is also a WE program. We do not have to figure out how to do any service by ourselves. There are always others who are willing to help us. So give it a try!
Gratefully submitted.
– Evelyn S.