A Wellspring of Hope
Newsletter of The Recovery Group


September 2004
Volume 6, Issue 9



ser*en*dip*i*ty ~ (noun) First appeared 1754:
the faculty or phenomenon of finding
valuable or agreeable things not sought for.


PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO:
SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com
with a Subject of 'Letter to the Editor'

PLEASE SEND Serendipity ARTICLES TO:
SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com
with a Subject of 'Serendipity Article'

TO VIEW Serendipity ONLINE, PLEASE VISIT:
The Serendipity Archives




FEATURED ARTICLES





~ FROM OUR EDITOR ~

Dear Serendipity Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from this most exalted position of Editor TRG's Serendipity Newsletter. I have had a good "run" here, and have been honored and blessed to have had this experience.But, it is time to step down and let others take the reins. I will remain, but behind the scenes, continuing to make Serendipity available to our website.

We have had a wonderful response to our request for Serendipity "helpers", and I am very excited at what has evolved. Serendipity is going from a staff of one editor and one helper, to having two co-Editors, and many reporters and proofreaders; a very exciting prospect. There will be much energy and excitement bubbling out of future issues of Serendipity! We all have a lot to look forward to.

Faith and Kristine, are the new editors, and each brings welcome experience with this new job. Faith has been working with me and helping me for many months now, and I know she will help continue the fine Serendipity tradition that Mari started in 1999. Kristine has been in the field of journalism for 22 years, both as a reporter and an editor. Together they make quite a team!

I hope you enjoy this issue, which is my last. As usual, there is lots ofgood information about The Recovery Group, and its many wonderful facets.WTS Study is starting a new study on October 1st, so you may want to signup for that. There is also exciting news about 14 new online meetings that are being organized and started by Audrey, with the Christian ODAT group.

With much love to you all, in the spirit of recovery,
     Marty
     Editor (outgoing)
     SERENDIPITY Newsletter





~ FOUNDER'S CORNER ~

~ OA VOTES TO REGISTER ONLINE MEETINGS ~


Dear Friends in Recovery,

One of the things I've learned from being friends with so many COEs over the years is that we don't like changes. Nevertheless, change is inevitable ... and, while some changes make us sad, there are other changes that have the opposite effect. Serendipity will have some changes ... a sad one and a happy one. But most of all, an important one.

As you have already read in her last column for Serendipity, Marty is retiring as Editor-in-Chief of our Serendipity Newsletter. I couldn't let them put Serendipity to bed this month until I acknowledged that and let all of you know what a treasure we have had in Marty. Her creativity, hard work, engaging personality and love of her job has made Serendipity the best newsletter for support groups on the Internet. The good news is that Marty has agreed to be an Advisor to the new Serendipity Editors and continue her wonderful job as Serendipity Webmaster. From the bottom of our collective hearts, we want to thank you, Marty, and wish you well as you leave this job and pursue others.

And now the good news .... extraordinarily good news. When God closed the window named Marty, he opened a door and in walked Kristine and Faith. After reading their credentials and getting to know them, there was no doubt that these two should become the new Editors of Serendipity. As time goes by, you will come to know each of them and see what I mean when I say that they are going to be terrific Serendipity Editors!!

Thank you, Marty, for a job well done. And thank you, Kristine and Faith, for becoming the new Serendipity Editors. This is an exciting time as you choose your new staff of reporters, proofreaders, outreach personnel and set out to publish our beloved newsletter.

Happy September, All ~

@-}-}-}------
Love in recovery,
Mari



~ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ~

We invite all of you to send a letter to the editor about anything you wish. It can be positive or negative. It can be kudos or a complaint. 'Letters To The Editor' lets us know you're there ... and that you care. They will appear in this column.



~ ANNOUNCEMENTS ~



~ ONLINE CHRISTIAN ODAT MEETINGS ~

We are pleased to announce a new series of online support meetings in addition to our Around the World Around the Clock meetings each day in #Recovery, which are registered by Overeaters Anonymous. Each of our 70 weekly meetings is hosted by a Meeting Leader who provides a topic for members as a basis for sharing. The protocol for our online meetings is simple, enjoyable and conducive to a good Twelve Step recovery program.

Our new meetings are held in conjunction with the Christian ODAT support group and will be held DAILY at 4:00 pm Eastern time and 10:00 pm Eastern time. The only requirement to become a member of our meetings is to have a desire to quit eating compulsively.

Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 7th at 4:00 pm Eastern time and will be hosted by TRGAudrey, a long-time Recovery Group meeting leader. Audrey is also the Coordinator of the ChristianODAT meetings and can be reached at the following address for any questions you might have:
ChristianMtgAdm@yahoo.com.

The Christian ODAT support group has information about how to join that list at:
www.TheRecoveryGroup.org/odat/christian/index.html.

The Christian ODAT Meetings' home page on the Internet can be found at: www.TheRecoveryGroup.org/meetings/christian.html.

Each of our hosted online meetings will have an interesting topic for members to share their experience, strength and hope with one another. As stated above, the schedule is meetings at 4PM and 10PM daily, seven days a week. The web page, also noted above, is an excellent place to go for information.

Submitted by:
   Audrey,
   Coordinator Christian ODAT Meetings
   ChristianMtgAdm@yahoo.com

~ FOURTH QUARTER WTS STUDY ~

Begining October 1, 2004, Jo D. will be leading the Fourth Quarter "WTS: Twelve Steps in Twelve Weeks" study. There is a short version of Jo's story, immediately following this announcement.

Each week of the study, Jo will share her insight on a different step. She will then pose questions about the step, to which the participants respond, both to the other members and to their sponsor. It sometimes happens, during the quarter, that a member's share will inspire another member to share his/her own experience, strength and hope and a thread will develop. When this happens, it makes for a particularly "well-worked" step.

One requirement to becoming an active participant of this group is to have an individual step sponsor. If you already have one, that's fine. If, however, you need one, TRG has a wonderful Sponsor program, through which you can find an online sponsor. More on this subject can be found in these Serendipity articles: "FROM OUR RECOVERY GROUP SPONSOR PROGRAM" and the "SPONSORS AND RECOVERY" loop spotlight.

Please note that WTS is not a general sharing loop. That is, all shares must specifically relate to the Steps and how they apply to the member's own recovery. Private sharing is done outside the loop, on a member-to-member basis only.

If you would like to join the October 1, 2004 Step Study, please do the following:

We ask that ALL members of WTS be active participants in our study.

If, however, you just want the Leader's shares, please join WTSStudy by sending a blank email to:
WTSStudy-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org. This is a non-sharing loop, whose members receive, on a read-only basis, the leader's Questions and Shares each week.

~ Jo ~

My name is Jo and I am a compulsive overeater and have been all of my life. From the time I ate everything on my plate at the age of five, until this morning when I ate an abstinent breakfast, I have been a compulsive overeater. Thank heavens I found Overeaters Anonymous about 17 years ago, and have learned I do not have to eat as a compulsive overeater. I found abstinence and a way of living that has changed me from a “fraidy cat” into someone willing to chance it.

I used to run from challenges. I did not like confrontations. I hid when others wanted my time and energy. Today I look forward to the next twelve weeks. We are not taking on an easy task. Discipline is a mainstay of the next 12 weeks. It is through discipline, and with the help of a Power Greater than our self, that we will come through this experience accepting who we are and knowing we are compulsive overeaters living abstinently One Day at a Time.


~ THE RECOVERY GROUP ~
ADMINISTRATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

~ FROM THE TRG ADMINISTRATION ~

The adminstration team of Dodee, Cody and Mary continue to work together to make The Recovery Group (TRG) the best that it can be. There are several new things happening right now. A new step study, Working the Steps (WTS) will start October 1st. Jodall will be the leader. There will be further announcements about how to join if you are not already a member.

There will be a new team publishing the Serendipity newsletter in October. Thanks to Marty for doing such a good job in the past, and for volunteering to stay on as an advisor and webservant. Faith and Kristine will be Serendipity's co-Editors starting with the October issue.

A new set of meetings -- Christian Meetings -- is starting. Right now two meetings a day are scheduled, at 4 PM and 10 PM Eastern Time. Anyone who has a desire to stop eating compulsively is invited to attend, but the focus of the meetings will be Christian recovery.

Submitted by:
Dodee, Administrator
Mary W and Cody, Apprentice Adminstrators

http://www.TheRecoveryGroup.org
Contact: TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org

~ FROM THE RECOVERY LOOP DIVISION ~

There have been many new members to Newcomers. This loop welcomes both those with questions and those who like to share their experience, strength and hope with others who are just starting out on the road to recovery. The Big Book study is now in the chapter "To Wives." Some of our other groups are "Anorexia and Bulimia", "HOTJ" (Heavyweights On The Journey) and "OA Friends". For a more complete list of our loops, please visit our web page:
www.TheRecoveryGroup.org/trg.html

Each of the Recovery Loops has an able coordinator to give of themselves and make TRG a good place to be.

Submitted by:
Dodee, TRG Adm

http://www.theRecoveryGroup.org/trg.html
Contact: RecoveryLoopsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org

~ FROM THE ODAT LOOP DIVISION ~

The sharing on many of the ODAT loops has increased noticeably this last month. Shares have been both informative and heart warming as members discover their loop is a safe place to talk to each other.

The addition of more new Trusted Servants has also added much to the loops. We are still in need of Trusted Servants for many positions in the ODAT Division so if you are interested in helping others while helping yourself, please write to:
TrustedServantsPool@yahoogroups.com.

Please check out our many special interest loops to see which one you may want to be a part of. They are listed at:
www.theRecoveryGroup/odat/index.html.

Submitted by:

Nancy, ODAT Division Head
www.theRecoveryGroup.org/odat/
Please send to: ODATAdm@lists.therecoverygroup.org

~ FROM THE DISCOVERY LOOP DIVISION ~

The loops of Discovery are continuing to thrive and grow as Mary and Cody, the Division Leaders, continue to recruit and find New Trusted Servants.

Mary W. is working hard! Discovery Kitchen now has 104 members and two Coordinators. They are using their experience, strength, and want to increase sharing amont these member. They also have been introducing topicsfrom the meeting room as they apply to our food prep and planning, and that has helped.

Exercise & Discovery now has 52 members and had over 100 shares in August. It is fully staffed with Trusted Servants doing jobs such as Greeting the newcomers (Greeter), saying good-bye to those who have chosen to leave (12th Step Within), getting the loop's name out on the world-wide web (web-servant), and managing the whole loop and making sure things run smoothly (Coordinator).

On the younger side of things, Cody is the Coordinator for both CO-kids and Kids & Discovery. Kids & Discovery, a loop only for kids and trustedservants, has 12 members and has some sharing going on. There have also been a few more kids joining since Cody has been submitting the URL to wide-spread search engines. CO-kids (a loop for parents, grandparents, or anyone who needs help helping a child who eats compulsively) has had a few people subscribe this month and sharing volume also has gone way up!. Cody also submits a topic just about every day to ensure that when people or kids are looking for help, there is always a positive message out there on the loop for them to find! All in all, it is great that TRG has these loops for people to discover when they are in need!

Submitted By:

Cody and Mary W.
Discovery Loops Coordinators

http://www.theRecoveryGroup.org/discovery/
Contact: DiscoveryAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org

~ FROM THE TRG OA MEETING DIVISION ~

What a gift these meetings are!! They offer so much learning and experience, strength and hope and provide a wonderful way for us to connect with others (worldwide), who suffer just the same as we do.

All our leaders do a wonderful job for those who perhaps do not have a F2F meeting nearby, those who cannot leave their home and those who need a late night meeting after a difficult day. Some people cannot stay for the whole meeting, but simply "come when they can". Others like to "wake up to recovery" by starting their day with an on-line meeting. Some like to come and just listen, while others share at every given opportunity. Whatever the need, there is something for everyone.

Scheduled every three hours, seven days a week, these meetings provide a 'safe haven' for those who suffer with this debilitating disease. Everyone is very welcome, so when YOU have a few spare moment, drop in to an on-line meeting and help us all help ourselves. We would love to "see" you!!

Some more very good news...these meetings have now been officially recognised by Overeaters Anonymous, thanks to the persistent work of TRG administration. As such, anyone who wishes to honour the seventh tradition can do so directly to Overeaters Anonymous via their contact details on their website at www.overeatersanonymous.com.

Submitted By:
TRG On-Line Meeting Coordinators: Terri, Barry and Christine

http://www.theRecoveryGroup.org/meetings/

Contact:
TRG Online Meeting Leaders' Group: MeetingTS@yahoogroups.com
TRG Online Meeting Administration: MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org





~ FROM TRG'S SPONSOR PROGRAM ~

Dear Members of The Recovery Group,

Our Sponsor Program is just one way that members can find a sponsor.

Go to this website to find out more about how to find a sponsor:
http://recovery.hiwaay.net/sponsors.html

We provide a directory of available sponsors that is sent weekly to all our loops.

We also have biographies of Sponsors we send to Recovery Group members who request them.

All that is necessary is that you identify yourself as a member of The RecoveryGroup by sending us the name of The Recovery Loop to which you belong.

Send your request to:
TRGSponsorsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org

     §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

WHAT DOES A SPONSOR DO?

  • A sponsor's primary responsibility is to help a sponsee work the 12 Steps!!!
  • A sponsor helps us work the 12 Steps by providing explanation, guidance and encouragement.
  • A sponsor helps us get established quickly in our Fellowship by explaining basic concepts and terminology and by introducing us to other members.
  • A sponsor is a safe person whom we can learn to trust.
  • A sponsor can answer the many questions that we can have as newcomers or develop as "mid-timers."
  • A sponsor encourages us to read program literature and to engage in Fellowship activities and service work.
  • A sponsor can monitor our progress, confront us when it is appropriate and generally help us stay on the recovery path. A sponsor confronts our behavior, not our being, and he or she does it with compassion.
  • A sponsor reminds us to apply 12 Step principles in our lives.
  • A sponsor models the 12 Step program of recovery.
WHAT A SPONSOR DOES NOT DO:
  • A sponsor cannot keep us in recovery.
  • A sponsor is not our therapist
  • A sponsor should not attempt to control our lives or encourage an unhealthy dependence.
  • A sponsor should not take advantage of us or exploit us in any way.
SOME FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A SPONSOR:
  • Has what we want
  • Shares Solution, not the problem
  • Walks the talk
  • Has a sponsor
  • Emphasizes THE STEPS !!
  • Has worked more steps than we have
  • Is available for telephone calls and meetings
  • Emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the program
     §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

May we, Sponsor and Sponsee, be protected together.
May we enjoy the fruits of our selfless service.
May we always be connected to our own Inner Joy and Peace.
May the Wisdom within our Spirits Be full of Light.
May we always share our LOVE with one another.

To become a TRG Sponsor, please write to:
TRGSponsorsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org

Submitted by:

Patt and Cate, TRG Sponsor Coordinators
The Recovery Group Sponsor Group Trusted Servants

Contact: TRGSponsorsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org
www.TheRecoveryGroup.org



~ RECOVERY TELEPHONE ANGELS ~



The Recovery Telephone Angel Program began about four years ago and has been a life-saver on many occasions for members of the Recovery Group. A private directory of members who are willing to take telephone calls from TRG members is made available regularly. Cody is the new Coordinator for the Recovery Telephone Angels. We have recruited and now have about 27 Telephone Angels. Once somebody expresses an interest in becoming a Telephone Angel, they join a loop for all Telephone Angels where they can ask questions, make suggestions and be avaiilable for updates from TRGADM. There are currently 27 "angels" from all over the country, and world, too! That is amazing!

Service is a very rewarding thing and the phone is one of the best Tools we have in our program. So, please consider being a Telephone Angel. It is such a wonderful way to give back and serve at the same time.

I always love what Rozanne said in her promise: "I put my hand in yours and together we can do what we never could do alone." We all share a common bond and need each other. Sometimes on-line email is enough, but sometimes we need a closer connection, like the telephone. To join our list of telephone angels - and share your recovery with others through this service -- please contact
TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org.

In your email please include the following:

  • Your name ~ Email address
  • What State you live in (this way people can find someone closer to them)
  • Your phone number ~ area code and number plus time zone, e.g.Eastern Standard
  • Best times to call/ when available
  • Leave message or not
Love in service, Cody
Administrator Apprentice


~ RECOVERY WRITERS' SERIES ~

~ Ten Ways to Love Ourselves ~

This month in our Recovery Writer’s Series, we wrap up our look at "Ten Ways to Love to Love Ourselves", a series of essays inspired by Louise Hay’s book “The Power Is Within You.” Over the course of the last two months we have focused on eliminating self criticism and building a support network. In this final installment (DAY TEN), our writer speaks about the importance of loving ourselves as part of our recovery program. I encourage you to read the remaining essays in this series, if you have not already done so, and begin to discover just how lovable you are.

(Note: if you wish to read the remaining Reflections, the entire collection of articles can be found at:
www.TheRecoveryGroup.org/jtr/love_ourselves.html

DAY TEN
TEN WAYS TO LOVE OURSELVES *

~ ~ LOVE YOURSELF ~ ~

DO IT NOW!
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU GET WELL,
OR LOSE THE WEIGHT,
OR GET THE NEW JOB,
OR THE NEW RELATIONSHIP.
BEGIN NOW....
AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN!

This is the final day ~ Day Ten ~ in a series on How to Love Ourselves. I hope that each day we have come to a place in our lives that we realize how lovable we are. And how essential it is that we feel that way.

I am a member of The Recovery Group. I am a compulsive person in recovery. I have an addiction. I have a disease. First and foremost, recovery has to be the most important thing in my life. If it isn't, I have no life. I am back to that place we have all been when we realize that a cunning, baffling and insidious disease has taken hold of us ... and this disease is constantly and forever doing push-ups preparing to pounce on us when we are at our most vulnerable.

Do you remember in the movie "The Exorcist" when the priest would hold up the crucifix to the devil and the demon would go into all sorts of machinations to fight off the spell caused by just the act of seeing the crucifix? Our disease is like that. There are things we can do... things we MUST do constantly to fight off this disease. I've often said there were two .... Abstinence and the Twelve Steps. When one is abstinent and actively working the Twelve Steps, we are empowered to fight this disease. Without both, we have no chance.

There is a third thing that, just by writing this series on How To Love Yourself made me realize it's too important not to include: Loving Ourselves! I have come to realize that if we are not abstinent, if we are not working the Steps and if we do not love ourselves, we don't have a snowball's chance in hell of being joyous, happy and free.

This Journey-to-Recovery series has opened doors for me on how to love myself. I hope it has also done so for you. I am going back over all of these exercises and many of them, if not all of them, I will do each and every day. They will become rituals. And, although I love many people in my life, I have a tendency to leave the most important person of all out. ME.

I'd like you to scroll down now if you would ... and read the titles to each day over ... and see if you, like me, have taken one baby step more to that one-day-at-a-time place we know as recovery. I hope so. Loving oneself is something many of us just simply never learned to do. And loving ourself is not an option. Because if we don't love ourselves, we will hate ourselves. And, if we hate ourselves, our disease will take over .... it will quit doing those push-ups .. and pounce on us ... it will start the "stinking thinking" all over again ... it will tell us how rotten we are ... it will seduce us with our drug of choice ... and it will grin while doing so.

Dear God,
Please help me to be kind to myself.
To be gentle with my thoughts and feelings.
I know that the more I can love myself ...
And the more honest I can be
With my own emotions ...
The freer I can be
To love and give joy to others.

Love in recovery,
A Recovery Group Member

*Permission for Ten Ways To Love Ourselves below was given by Louise Hays.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

TEN WAYS TO LOVE OURSELVES (*above)

      DAY ONE

~ ~ STOP ALL CRITICISM ~ ~

CRITICISM NEVER CHANGES A THING.
REFUSE TO CRITICIZE YOURSELF.
ACCEPT YOURSELF EXACTLY AS YOU ARE.
EVERYBODY CHANGES.
WHEN YOU CRITICIZE YOURSELF,
YOUR CHANGES ARE NEGATIVE.
WHEN YOU APPROVE OF YOURSELF,
YOUR CHANGES ARE POSITIVE

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY TWO

~ ~ DON'T SCARE YOURSELF ~ ~

DON'T SCARE YOURSELF.
STOP TERRORIZING YOURSELF
WITH YOUR THOUGHTS.
IT'S A DREADFUL WAY TO LIVE!
FIND A MENTAL IMAGE THAT GIVES YOU PLEASURE
( MINE IS A WATERFALL),
AND IMMEDIATLEY SWITCH YOUR SCARY THOUGHT
TO A PLEASURABLE THOUGHT.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY THREE

~ ~ BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT ~ ~

BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF.
BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
AS YOU LEARN THE NEW WAYS OF THINKING.
TREAT YOURSELF AS YOU WOULD
SOMEONE YOU REALLY, REALLY LOVED.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY FOUR

~ ~ BE KIND TO YOUR MIND ~ ~

SELF HATRED IS ONLY HATING
YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.
DON'T HATE YOURSELF
FOR HAVING BAD THOUGHTS.
GENTLY CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY FIVE

~ ~ PRAISE YOURSELF~ ~

CRITICISM BREAKS DOWN THE INNER SPIRIT.
PRAISE BUILDS IT UP.
PRAISE YOURSELF AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
TELL YOURSELF HOW WELL YOU ARE DOING
WITH EACH AND EVERY LITTLE THING.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY SIX

~ ~ SUPPORT YOURSELF ~ ~

FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT YOURSELF.
REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND
ALLOW THEM TO HELP YOU.
IT IS BEING STRONG
TO ASK FOR HELP
WHEN YOU NEED IT.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY SEVEN

~ ~ BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES ~ ~

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
YOU CREATED THEM
TO FULFILL A NEED.
NOW YOU ARE FINDING NEW,
POSITIVE WAYS
TO FULFILL THOSE NEEDS.
SO, LOVINGLY RELEASE
THE OLD NEGATIVE PATTERNS.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY EIGHT

~ ~ TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY ~ ~

LEARN ABOUT NUTRITION.
WHAT KIND OF FUEL DOES
YOUR BODY NEED TO HAVE FOR
OPTIMUM ENERGY AND VITALITY?
LEARN ABOUT EXERCISE.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE CAN YOU ENJOY
AND TOLERATE ACCORDING TO YOUR ILLNESS?
CHERISH AND REVERE THE TEMPLE YOU LIVE IN.

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY NINE

~ ~ MIRROR WORK ~ ~

LOOK INTO YOUR EYES OFTEN.
EXPRESS THIS GROWING SENSE OF LOVE
YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF.
FORGIVE YOURSELF,
LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR.
TALK TO YOUR PARENTS AND LOVED ONES,
LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR.
FORGIVE THEM TOO.
AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SAY:
"I LOVE YOU.
I REALLY LOVE YOU"

      §«¤ºº*ºº¤»§

      DAY TEN

~ ~ LOVE YOURSELF ~ ~

DO IT NOW!
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU GET WELL,
OR LOSE THE WEIGHT,
OR GET THE NEW JOB,
OR THE NEW RELATIONSHIP.
BEGIN NOW....
AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN!



~ FROM THE LITERATURE ~




~~THE TWELVE STEPS ~ STEP NINE~~

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



~~ THE TWELVE TRADITIONS ~ TRADITION NINE ~~

Overeaters Online Recovery Group, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.




~~ BIG BOOK QUOTE ~~
BIG BOOK READING
"We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try."

~ Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28 ~


THOUGHTS...from Myrlene (Big Book and Recovery Group)

I wasn't taught that I was a child of the living Creator just for being born. I was taught that I had to earn my way to His Graces. My God was a punitive and punishing God who may strike me down for the slightest imperfection in my conduct.

I gave up that God and many years later found this Recovery Group and studied the Big Book and found that I could have my own conception of a "Higher Power." This was such a blessing to me. I can now choose a great Creator who will love me for who I am, no matter the color of my skin or my upbringing. What a wonderful way to choose my own type of relationship and learn to trust and listen to the loving guidance that this new Higher Power has for me. All of us are equal in this relationship.

We just have to learn to trust again.

Blessings in your Recovery,
    Myrlene


~ RECOVERY MEDITATIONS ~

~ September Meditations Calendar ~
(http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/september.html)

To receive the daily meditations by email, send a blank email to:
RecoveryMeditationsList-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org




~ THE RECOVERY GROUP MEETINGS ~

THE RECOVERY GROUP ONLINE MEETINGS

The doorway to the meetings is at the top of the page at http://www.TheRecoveryGroup.org. All you have to do is click it, and you'll be in the meeting room. The times are 12 noon, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM, 12 midnight 3AM, 6AM, and 9AM. These are Eastern times, and all meetings are held in #Recovery on IRC with a doorway located at: http://www.TheRecoveryGroup.org.

CAN YOU SPARE AN HOUR A WEEK?

We need your help for a wonderful line-up of online meetings. We will be working on a schedule of meetings every three hours around the clock every day, and are well on our way to meeting that goal. This will make it possible for those in time zones around the world to participate both as leaders and attendees. Will you help by volunteering an hour or two or three a week? It's easy, it gives you a good feeling by helping others, and it's fun!

Prospective meeting leaders must be actively working the Steps to the best of their ability and belong to at least one Recovery Loop. Although abstinence is not a requirement, many find that being abstinent allows them to better focus on the meetings.

If you are interested in being a meeting leader, please contact MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org,
and you will be given further guidance. We hope as many of you as possible will write us back and let us know you can help. Please don't be shy ... meetings are easy and rewarding to lead.

We will get back to you as quickly as possible.
REACHING THE MEETINGS

Another way to reach the meeting webpage is directly, at:
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meetings/

For AOL members, there is the direct link to #Recovery: #Recovery on StarChat.Network. AOL users need to first go to the Meeting website, and look at the special instructions for AOL users before they can fully participate in the meetings or they can go to: http://www.starchat.net/aol.php

#Recovery is the meeting room for Recovery Group. There is a doorway to #Recovery on the Recovery Group website: http://www.therecoverygroup.org. The meeting room can be directly accessed by going to either of these sites:
http://www.starchat.net/recovery or
http://www.starchat.net/chat/?chan=recovery
You can find other helpful information, including on-line meeting protocols at:
http://recovery.hiwaay.net/support/meetings.html



~ OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS CONTACTS ~

Overeaters Anonymous
World Service Office (WSO)
6075 Zenith Ct. NE
PO Box 44020
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
USA

Telephone 505-891-2664
Fax: 505-891-4320
 http://www.overeatersanonymous.org/index.html
E-Mail Address ~ info@overeatersanonymous.org

"I put my hand in yours ...
and together we can do what we could never do alone."
~ Rozanne, OA CoFounder ~


~ THE RECOVERY GROUP CONTACTS ~

TRG ADMINISTRATION
( TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org)

TRG ADMINISTRATOR
Dodee

TRG ADMINISTRATOR APPRENTICES
Cody
Mary W.

TRG ADVISORS: John and Patt
TRG DIVISIONS
RECOVERY LOOPS: Dodee and John
ODAT LOOPS: Nancy
DISCOVERY LOOPS: Cody and Mary W.
FOREIGN LOOPS: Dodee (Acting)
TRG OA MEETINGS: Terri, Barry and Christine
TRG SPECIAL SERVICES: Dodee (Acting)
TRG WEBSITE: Gary
Newsletter Editors ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com ~ Marty and Faith
Newsletter Subscriptions ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com(Subject=Email Subscription)
Letters to the Editor ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com(Subject=Letter to the Editor)
Sponsor Coordinator ~ sponsors@therecoverygroup.org
Recovery Meeting Coordinator ~ MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org
Technical Support ~ RecoveryTech@mail.com
Recovery Group Administrators ~ TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org
Recovery Group Founder ~ Mari


"In the deepest part of a compulsive eater's soul . . .
Is the realization that recovery begins when we find one another."


~~ The Serenity Prayer ~~

Grant us the SERENITY to accept the things we cannot change;
The COURAGE to change the things we can;
And the WISDOM to know the difference.


What we could never do alone ~
We can do together.

One day at a time, ~
One step at a time.




Disclaimer


The Recovery Group and our newsletter has as its mission and purpose that of carrying the message of recovery to those who suffer from the disease of compulsive eating. We are an anonymous organization and follow the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous; however, we are not affiliated with that group. Your articles, announcements and information are welcome. All opinions in this newsletter represent only the opinions of the writers and not necessarily that of The Recovery Group or OA, Inc.

The Trusted Servants of Recovery

Volume 6 Issue 9 © Copyright 2004 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved.