A Wellspring of Hope
Newsletter of The Recovery Group
March 2003
Volume 5, Issue 3
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
TO VIEW Serendipity ONLINE, PLEASE VISIT:
The Serendipity Archives
From Our Editor
From Our Founder
From Our Recovery Administrators
From Our ODAT Committee
Letters to the Editor
March Loop Spotlights
Teens'/Kids' Corner
From Our Recovery Group Members
Recovery Writers' Series
From the Literature
Recovery Meditations Calendar
The Recovery Group Meetings
Overeaters Anonymous Contacts
Recovery Group Contacts
Serenity Prayer
| SERENDIPITY SUBSCRIPTIONS |
Dear Serendipity Readers,
Dear Serendipity Readers,
Dear Members of The Recovery Group,
The ODAT/Discovery Loops
ChristianODAT
DisabilitiesODAT
When I joined TeensODAT, I had just recently made the
decision to stop visiting pro-eating-disorder sites.
They had been a part of my life for at least a
year, and during that time I had made several friends.
But I knew that if I wanted to recover, I would have
to leave. So it was a bittersweet feeling,
as I'm sure you can imagine, for me to unsubscribe
myself from "pro" mailing lists and web sites (some of
which I owned) and seek recovery groups.
The first few I joined had been long inactive, and I
thought I might never find a good group of people on
the net who knew what I was going through and who
also wanted to recover; it seemed as though
pro-eating-disorder stuff was everywhere!
Often we have members complaining about how leaders in
any loop or group of loops respond or don't respond to
certain things and with that in mind it could be
possible that this tongue in cheek information 'ad'
may serve to help us see that people are special
whether we agree or disagree with how things are said
and done. Would we really like this alternative?
~ FROM OUR EDITOR ~
Welcome to the March issue of Serendipity! Whether March is coming
in like a lion or like a lamb where you live, I hope your month is
filled with the blessing of recovery from compulsive overeating.
In this issue, you will find many different articles which are the evidence
of so much recovery in our group. From our Founder's comforting "pat on
the back", to the sincere invitation by one of our teens to be part
of "her" loop, through three (two wonderfully original and one anonymous)
contributions from our members, to another in the Recovery Writers'
"Odyssey" series, you will find that our members are an amazingly
inspirational source of Experience, Strength and Hope.
I also hope that you "take in" the expanded Letters to the Editor section;
there are quite a few letters this month! Some may even evoke responses
from you; if so, I hope you will send them to me! I also encourage
you to write me if there's anything in this issue (or elsewhere in TRG)
about which you would like to comment.
So, settle back in your chair, and prepare to absorb the wonderful wisdom
and sharing you will find in the articles which follow.
Yours in the Friendship of Recovery,
Marty
Editor, SERENDIPITY
Newsletter of The Recovery Group
~ FOUNDER'S CORNER ~
The world that God has created is mind boggling ... and it is the
people who inhabit this earth who make it so. In addition to giving
us bodies that have hundreds of parts that all seem to function
at a very high level most of the time, God gave us something
even more important . . . the human spirit.
For the past month we have all witnessed one event after another
that has shown what this human spirit is capable of. Because we live
in a world of insanity at our worst and awesome goodness at our
best we see a vast spectrum of examples of each of these daily.
Our community is not a provincial one ... because we are scattered
all over this beautiful globe. I have breakfast with those who are
going to sleep at night and say goodnight to those who are waking up
to greet their new day. Our members in some places do not know
when they leave their homes if they will be blown up by a bus,
luxuriate most of the day in a place of safety and peace, attend to life
in an environment that thrills them or find themselves bored by
the mundaneness of it all.
But March in the diverse community of The Recovery Group finds
us working as hard as we can on the one common thread that brings
us together here and keeps us sane ... and that thread is our disease
of compulsive eating. Some of us are doing good ... maintaining a
program of extraordinary emotional, physical and spiritual recovery.
Others of us are close to the bottom of our disease reaching out for any
hand that will help us hold on. But all of us in this great good world our
Creator has made for us are taking life one day at a time ... and when
the day ends most of us can pat ourselves on the back and feel at one
with the universe ... and with each other.
Happy March, Loopies.
@-}-}-}------
Love in recovery,
Mari
~ FROM OUR TRG ADMINISTRATORS ~
We have been working closely with all General Coordinators this
month to make sure that everything that The Recovery Group offers
its members is up to date and running smoothly.
Some of what The Recovery Group offers is: Sponsors, Meditations,
Meetings, Telephone contacts, and a message board.
This is in addition to the many loops that open the door for
recovery and friendship with other compulsive eaters.
We wish to express our deep appreciation to all the Trusted Servants
who volunteer their time and recovery to keep our Group available
to all who have the desire to stop eating compulsively.
Our founder, Mari, has updated many web pages so that those needing
help and inspiration will have that available. Please take some
time to check these out:
We also continue to work with our newest trusted servants to get
them started in their new positions with The Recovery Group.
Please contact us at
TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org
if you are willing
to give service as we do have some loops that are in need of trusted
servants.
We are truly grateful to have this opportunity to serve all the members
of The Recovery Group's Online Community.
Remember, we are here to help you with any questions or problems
you may have concerning your online experience in working your
program of recovery.
With love and great JOY in service,
Cate, John and Patt
TRG Administration Team
TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org
http://www.TheRecoveryGroup.org
~ FROM OUR ODAT ADMINISTRATION ~
February was a fairly quiet month for the ODAT/Discovery loops. We had a
few changes in Trusted Servants, and some spamming on a couple of our
loops. Fortunately, the vast majority of the letters sent are those of
strength, hope and experience, and that is a wonder to behold.
For ODAT administration, we answered approximately 30 letters from
subscribers with various questions, and did some normal loop maintenance
to keep everything running smoothly.
Thanks to all who help out.
Love to all,
Sande
ODAT Adm Chair
http://www.TheRecoveryGroup.org/odat/index.html
To the Editor:
I really liked the last issue of Serendipity!! Always have,
but enjoyed the new format. Seemed friendlier, somehow. : )
Thank you for all you are doing!!
Nancy
To The Editor:
I clicked onto the recovery website to obtain a copy of this
prayer for a friend going through a divorce. Your opening letter
compelled me to write and tell you I feel the same as you do about
this prayer that made me look at life differently. Two years ago my
husband wanted a divorce after 14 years and three beautiful young
daughters. Long story short, he was having an affair. Through the
help from a wonderful therapist we have stayed together and are
very grateful that we stuck it through. While this was happening a
friend of my sister sent me this prayer, which I had never seen the
full text of. It was an impact like none I had ever had before, and
to this day I recite it every moment I think of it and live by it.
I have introduced it to my 13 year old daughter and she keeps it
next to her bed to say at night. Thank-you.
Member
Lafayette, LA
Dear Editor:
Why is 'online chats' and 'mailing groups' not a tool of OA world service?
What will it take to get those hundreds and thousands of us, people being
helped by the internet, recognized by the OA mainstream?
Todd C. in MA
(Editor's note: Good questions, Todd. Perhaps some of our readers can
respond in our Letters to the Editor column by sending to
SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com. Thanks for writing.)
To the Editor:
Thanks for making it possible for us to get back copies of Serendipity.
I was surprised to find a link to the newsletter on the main website.
A Reader ~ Israel
(Editors' note: The link is also given at the beginning of this issue.)
Dear Editor:
I was surprised to find that The Recovery Group has a photo album of
its members on the Recovery Website. Haven't you ever heard of anything
called anonymity? Who wants to see pictures of fat people anyway!
Turned off in Missouri
Dear Editor:
Clark and I broke up again . . . need advice . . . really want to eat . . .
Hugs in recovery,
Lois Lane
Letters to the Editor are encouraged and welcomed.
Please send your letter to
SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com.
Please put 'Letter to the Editor' in the subject line.
~ March LOOP SPOTLIGHTS ~
The ChristianODAT group is a meeting/gathering place for
Christians to "meet" through exchanging emails for Experience, Strength,
and Hope. We have about sixty-four members now and are growing day by
day. This is the place we can honor our Christian beliefs and principles
freely with one another through faith in a common bond of a Power greater
than ourselves. We all have common goals to stop eating compulsively and
to help one another abstain One Day At A Time. We freely welcome all who
want to stop eating compulsively.
To join, send an email to:
ChristianODAT-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org
The DiabeticsODAT loop is a place where persons with diabetes and COE
are encouraged to discuss their feelings concerning these two diseases.
Everyone here understands that being told you have diabetes does not
automatically mean you stop being a COE.
We learn through sharing with each other our experiences, strengths
and hopes that we are not alone anymore and that by working the 12
steps there is a solution.
For more information please check out the following web site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DiabeticsODAT/
To join, send an email to:
DiabeticsODAT-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org.
The mission of the Disabilities ODAT loop is to provide a place for
men and women with eating disorders and disabilities to come together
in a safe environment to share their experience, strength and hope
about various issues concerning their struggles.
To join, send an email to:
DisabilitiesODAT-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org
Dear Serendipity Friends,
WTS stands for "Working The Steps." We invite you to join us.
We are a loop where ALL THE STEPS are actively worked within a three
month period. We completely Work The Steps four times a year. Each
quarter we have a Step Leader who writes an insightful essay sharing
her/his experience, strength and hope and knowledge on each Step (one
per week) and then poses thought-provoking questions for the group
to answer.
We are currently finishing up the first quarter Step Study on WTS
and will be starting a brand new quarter on April 1, 2003.
We invite all of you to join WTS and "Work the Steps" with us as a group!
You can join by going to:
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?SUBED1=wts&A=1.
Or, you can contact WTS Co-Coordinators at:
WTS-request@maelstrom.stjohns.edu.
We look forward to meeting you and Working The Steps
with you on WTS.
In loving service,
Dreena and Tami,
WTS Trusted Servants
The Recovery Group
But lo and behold, I found TeensODAT one day while
sifting through some yahoogroups, and absent-mindedly
joined the group. I wasn't expecting much; I can tell
you that. So when I joined and got a warm welcome from
some of the members, and when we began to talk about
the issues we struggled with, I knew I truly was not
alone. I knew that behind each screen name was a person
with a heart and feelings, who struggled in much the same way
that I did, who tried to help not only themselves, but
each other as well. It's not the most active group in
the world, but it certainly helped me connect with
other teenagers. I'm proud to say I'm still a member
of that group, and would definitely encourage you
(yes, you,!) to just give it a try. That's all I
suggest; give it a try. What do you have to lose?
I'm
not recovered yet, and still go through very rough times.
I am sort of at the point where I'm stuck in the
middle, so I know where you're all coming from. If
you ever need someone to talk to, know I'm always
here.
Your friend, Jessica
[ Editor's note: To join TeensODAT, send an empty email to:
TeensODAT-subscribe-request@lists.therecoverygroup.org
]
~ FROM OUR RECOVERY GROUP MEMBERS ~
NEW AND IMPROVED GROUPS FOR COMPULSIVE EATERS
We are writing to inform you of our latest products.
Following upon the success of our cardboard policeman
to deter shoplifting and our cardboard police car to
discourage speeding, we are pleased to announce that
we now have cardboard staff and loop members in the
Recovery groups.
CARDBOARD COORDINATORS AND MEETING LEADERS
The cardboard Coordinator is invaluable to the
hard-pressed Coordinator and other Trusted Servants
seeking a holiday who cannot find anyone for relief
duty. It is life-sized and comes with a people
pleasing caring smile, who will never disagree with
anything you say and a truly state-of-the-art 3D
special FX emotions chip to sympathise and totally
understand and agree with you no matter how weird and
way out your sharing and suggestions may be. Group
Conscience meetings are never a problem for this very
special Cardboard Trusted Servant who will be seated
at her computer to observe in silence all agreements
and disagreements. Field trials have proved more than
successful. A Cardboard Trusted Servant was placed in
front of a computer recently during a Trusted
Servant's absence without our members being told.
Forty per cent of those questioned later had noticed
no difference, whilst twenty-five per cent said there
had been a considerable improvement.
OWNER OF LOOPS
Soon we hope to have available the cardboard Loop
Owner which can be seated in her chair at her computer
whilst the real owner is in the Canary Islands. A
Trial model has been in place for time to time without
being detected it was said, so it appears this may be
an efficient alternative when all that is needed is a
member to rant and rave and have no reaction at all
from the Loop Owner. The cardboard Loop Owner is even
said to have given an excellent contribution to the
recent Group Conscience at TRG Admin.
TRG ADMIN/ODAT ADMIN
Work on the cardboard version of TRG Admin and ODAT
admin has been abandoned because market research
demonstrated that nobody wants the real thing. There
is, therefore, unlikely to be much demand for
substitutes.
MEMBERS
Our cardboard loop members are selling well. It is
said they are indistinguishable from that of the real
thing, and it has the positive advantage that, when
volunteers are requested, nobody makes a dash for the
door or clicks into shutdown. Some people have even
detected an improvement in the sharing. However, it
might be prudent for real members to go back to their
loop for a while from time to time and put their
cardboard version into storage as it has been noticed
by newcomers that sharing is down to the minimum on
some loops.
Life can pull at your heartstrings
and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful
and happy and free.
Life can put beauty
in the things that you see.
Life can place challenges
right at your feet.
Life can make good
of the hardships that we meet.
Life can overwhelm you
and make your head spin.
Life can reward those
determined to win.
Life can be hurtful
and not always fair.
Life can surround you
with people who care.
Life clearly does offer
its ups and its downs.
Life's days can bring you
both smiles and frowns.
Life teaches us to take
the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture
of happy and sad.
So...
Take the life that you have
and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy
let God do the rest.
Take the challenges
that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful
for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness
if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you
and give it your all.
Take the love that you're given
and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed
it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty
in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures
let them set your heart free.
The idea here is simply
to even the score,
As you are met and faced with
Life's Tug Of War.
Author Unknown
Something very inspirational happened to me this week. I had a hole in
my sock.
Don't laugh -- let me explain.
Having lost 98 pounds (45 kg) in 875 days of consecutive abstinence,
I have become very conscious of my appearance and I like to look my
best. Anyway, on the day in question, I was dressing for a very important
meeting, with clients who had spoken with me by phone and corresponded
with me by email, but had never actually seen me before.
After checking the mirror many times and making absolutely sure that
everything was right, I was on the way out the door when I realized
I had a hole in my sock!
Immediately the old tapes kicked in -- "You slob!" "How gross!" "You
look like an old, fat bag lady!"
But this time, there was a new, clear voice of abstinent reason. "No,
you don't, either. You look like a competent, successful businesswoman
who happens to have a hole in her sock. And you know what? I bet *most*
people have holes in *some* of their socks!"
And I smiled, changed my socks and walked out the door... to a very
successful meeting.
That "most people have some..." phrase kept ringing in my head, though,
and when I got home, I sat down and wrote the inspiration below, and
sent it to my loops. Now I'm sharing it with you. When you read it,
remember you are not alone -- and remember the woman with a hole in
her sock and a grateful heart!
Love in recovery,
Sharon
--------------------
Most people sometimes feel lonely.
Many people often feel lonely.
Some people always feel lonely.
Most people sometimes hate themselves.
Many people often hate themselves.
Some people always hate themselves.
Most people are sometimes behind on their responsibilities.
Many people are often behind on their responsibilities.
Some people are always behind on their responsibilities.
Most people sometimes hold grudges.
Many people often hold grudges.
Some people always hold grudges.
Most people sometimes despair.
Many people often despair.
Some people always despair.
Most people sometimes think about killing somebody.
Many people often think about killing somebody.
Some people always think about killing somebody.
Most people sometimes think God has abandoned them.
Many people often think God has abandoned them.
Some people always think God has abandoned them.
Most people sometimes give in to addictive substances or behaviors.
Many people often give in to addictive substances or behaviors.
Some people always give in to addictive substances or behaviors.
BUT:
Most people sometimes know they are not alone.
Many people often know they are not alone.
Some people always know they are not alone.
Most people sometimes love themselves.
Many people often love themselves.
Some people always love themselves.
Most people are sometimes caught up on their responsibilities.
Many people are often caught up on their responsibilities.
Some people are always caught up on their responsibilities.
Most people sometimes find it easy to forgive.
Many people often find it easy to forgive.
Some people always find it easy to forgive.
Most people sometimes have hope.
Many people often have hope.
Some people always have hope.
Most people sometimes remember God is there for them.
Many people often remember God is there for them.
Some people always remember God is there for them.
Most people sometimes take action to help somebody.
Many people often take action to help somebody.
Some people always take action to help somebody.
Most people sometimes have abstinent days.
Many people often have abstinent days.
Some people always have abstinent days.
WHICH KIND OF PEOPLE DO YOU WANT TO BE TODAY?
~ ODYSSEY ~
RECOVERY WRITER'S SERIES
In this column we want to bring you shares from Recovery Meditations,
Odyssey, Journey to Recovery, The Promises and many others. This month
we want to continue with another excerpt from "Odyssey ~ A Personal
Journey". You will recall, from last month's introduction, that Odyssey
was written by a wonderful man who, two years ago, weighed 725 pounds.
Odyssey is the story of his emotional journey, the path to his emotional,
physical and spiritual renaissance. You may read all of his Odyssey at:
www.therecoverygroup.org/odyssey/index.html.
In this issue of Serendipity we give you another brief excerpt, written a
little over a year ago ...
~ The Exhilaration of Accomplishment ~
I'm back in my chair contemplating the wonder of this life, the simplicity of faith and trust, the trudge of the "work" to reach a goal, and the exhilaration of accomplishment.
I'm three days into my 11th month of abstinence and recovery, and yesterday for the first time since returning from the treatment center, I drove myself "out of town" to go visit a friend and help her with her computer. It's only 15 miles but it's the first time I've felt able and willing to extend myself in this manner in many years. I ended up being there for two and a half hours, and frankly it was too long, but I enjoyed the visit as she is a program person and we helped to reinforce each other, but my legs were hurting when I got back from sitting in a hard chair, so I did not go for my walk yesterday. I have been walking up to 5 times a week, half mile walks, and it was becoming comfortable, so I knew it was time to extend that a little as well, and today added another quarter of a mile. I chose a path that would not allow me to cut short and return home before accomplishing this task, and glad I did because as I got to the half mile mark, my body rebelled, energy dropped significantly, joints began aching, heart pounding, sweating increased and I probably would have quit if I were closer to home, but as it was I HAD to push on through, and less than half a block past that point miracle of miracles, the aches left, suddenly I had more energy, and the walk ended with me feeling really good, not totally exhausted as I thought I would be, but actually feeling like I could keep going. Granted, it was a small 'wall' I walked through, but none the less, I DID walk through it!
After resting a bit, I went out in the car to actually see how far I had gone, as I was just guessing, and it turned out to be exactly three quarters of a mile... the joy here is that I just felt because I was getting comfortable with where I was, that it was time to move the goal, time to 'force' a little more growth. I was ready, and yet there were those few moments when I would have given anything to quit, when I wished I hadn't chosen the path to walk that I did, that I hadn't left myself an "out", saying to myself, "you knew you couldn't do this, what the hell were you thinking?".
And at this moment, I am so elated that I did it, I DID IT!!! This melts into extreme gratitude to my Higher Power, knowing THAT is the source of all my accomplishments, all my strength, and whatever wisdom there was in choosing the path that would let me 'see' that I could do more than I thought I could.
There is joy in simple things, and miracles in the smallest accomplishments.
I just keep coming back and waiting for the miracles to happen... :-)
Stay Strong!
love and hugs,
me
~ FROM THE LITERATURE ~
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.
The only requirement for membership in the Overeaters Online Recovery Group is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
"The practical answer is that since these things have happened among us, they can happen with you. Should you wish them above all else, and be willing to make use of our experiences, we are sure they will come. the age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that!"
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book - pages 153
~ RECOVERY MEDITATIONS ~
~
March Meditations Calendar ~
(http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations/march.html)
Online Meetings Update
Telephone 505-891-2664
~ THE RECOVERY GROUP MEETINGS ~
Our Recovery Group meetings are the BEST. Recovery is shared. The
members are accepting, loving and supportive.
Meetings are held each day at 9:30 PM Eastern time in #Recovery.
We have a FANTASTIC slate of dedicated meeting leaders:
The Meetings webpages have been updated, and (hopefully) simplified.
You are invited to go to the Recovery Group
website at www.therecoverygroup.org. Click on
the "Recovery Meetings" icon and
check out the new pages. OR go directly to the meeting webpage at
http://therecoverygroup.org/meetings/index.html
If you are interested in being a meeting leader in #Recovery, or if you have any
questions or problems relating to Recovery Group meetings, please
write MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org
For AOL members, here is the direct link to #Recovery:
#Recovery on StarChat.Network
#Recovery is the meeting room for Recovery Group. To get to #Recovery, go to:
http://www.starchat.net/recovery
You can find other helpful information, including on-line meeting
protocols at:
http://recovery.hiwaay.net/support/meetings.html
Again, if you have any further questions or we can help you in any way,
please write
MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org.
~ OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS CONTACTS ~
World Service Office (WSO)
6075 Zenith Ct. NE
PO Box 44020
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
USA
Fax: 505-891-4320
http://www.overeatersanonymous.org/index.htm
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 ~
 |
Newsletter Editor ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com ~ Marty |
|
Newsletter Subscriptions ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com |
|
Letters to the Editor ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com |
|
Sponsor Coordinator ~ sponsors@therecoverygroup.org |
|
Telephone Angel Directory ~ mttabi@yahoo.com ~ Tabi |
|
Recovery Meeting Coordinator ~ MtgAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org |
|
Technical Support ~ RecoveryTech@mail.com |
|
TRG Webmaster ~ Mari |
|
Recovery Group Administrators ~ TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org |
|
Recovery Group Founder ~ Mari |
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.
Volume 5 Issue 3 © Copyright 2003 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved.