A Wellspring of Hope
Newsletter of The Recovery Group


October 2004
Volume 6, Issue 10



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 EDITORS ~

Dear Serendipity Friends,

In the Northern Hemisphere the last rays of sunshine are fading as we begin to make our way into the cool, crisp fall days and long winter nights. Fall is traditionally a time of harvest set aside for storing up resources and preparing for the challenges of winter yet to come. This is an excellent time to turn our focus inward, renew our recovery and prepare to face the challenges the upcoming holiday season will bring for us as compulsive overeaters.

The abundant resources in this issue will certainly help you along the way. A new Working the Steps study begins this month and you can read more about it in the 12 Steps in 12 Weeks article.

Stop by the Founder's Corner to brush up on the Tools of Recovery. Drop by the One Day at a Time, or ODAT, loops to pick up on hints and suggestions to keep your food and exercise programs on track.

Or perhaps you are looking to add an act of service to your program. Many of our divisions are offering opportunities to serve as sponsors, telephone angels, meeting leaders and other trusted servants. As autumn approaches much preparation is going on behind the scenes as our Trusted Servants are preparing new programs and expanding existing ones.

Just as October was a time of feasting and celebration marking the New Year in ancient Celtic society, this issue marks a new phase of growth for Serendipity. We are excited about the opportunity to provide service as co-editors. Together, with a dedicated staff of talented reporters and proofreaders, we will be working diligently to continue to provide you with the same high quality publication you have grown to count on as a resource for your recovery. We hope that you enjoy this month's offering and we look forward to seeing you again in November.

Love in recovery,
     Kristine & Faith
     Co-editors,
     SERENDIPITY Newsletter





~ FOUNDER'S CORNER ~

~ THE TOOLS OF RECOVERY ~


Dear Friends in Recovery,

There are very few gardens that thrive if you just sprinkle seeds in the ground. A building can't be built by just "thinking about it." Even a writer would not be able to convey his writings if there were no pencils, paper or a computer. So to achieve in just about any area, we must have tools. And we must use those tools diligently.

In our Twelve-Step program of recovery, there are eight important tools, and for the next eight months I'd like to share with you examples of them. If you are in a loop or attend a meeting or even want to write a meditation or Serendipity about one of the tools, please feel free to do so. In November I will share about the first tool: A Plan of Eating.

The others are:

  • Sponsorship
  • Meetings
  • Telephone
  • Writing
  • Literature
  • Anonymity
  • Service
The Recovery Group is dedicated to providing you with resources that will enable you to have these tools available. I know you will use them wisely.

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



~ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ~


~ THE RECOVERY GROUP ~
ADMINISTRATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

~ FROM THE TRG ADMINISTRATION ~

October is an especially busy month because it is a time we take an overview of the year realizing that soon we will be recruiting and appointing the 2005 Trusted Servants, volunteers for TRG. It is also the beginning of one of our major services, the Working the Steps step study, which you will read more about in this issue of Serendipity.

If you have any questions about any aspect of The Recovery Group, or wish to offer service of any kind, we would like to hear from you. We wish each of you a happy and abstinent autumn and hope you are finding what you need and want for your recovery in our community.

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

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

About TRGAdm: TRGAdm is the administrative arm of The Recovery Group. The TRG administrator works daily with two apprentices, the Recovery Advisory Board, the Recovery Intergroup and the coordinators of each division of TRG.

~ FROM THE RECOVERY LOOP DIVISION ~

Some recovery loops provide general sharing for those who are recovering for compulsive overeating. There are several newcomers asking questions and learning about the program. OA Friends is stable. Journey to Recovery has had more sharing this month. Big Book is reading "To Wives." A new step study starts Oct. 1 with Jodall leading the study. People are committing to abstinence and to attending 90 meetings in 90 days by joining those loops and sharing. Anorexia and Bulimia continue to provide havens for those disorders. HOTJ has wonderful topics and Relapse and Recovery help many to get back from relapse.

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 heartwarming 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 the
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.org/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 as Discovery Kitchen now has 104 members. They are trying to use their experience, strength and hope to get their members to share. They also have been introducing topics from the meeting room as applied to our food prep, and planning has helped.

Exercise & Discovery now has over 52 members and had over 100 shares in August. It is fully staffed with Trusted Servants doing jobs such as greeting newcomers, saying goodbye to someone who chooses to leave, getting the loop out on the worldwide web and managing the whole loop to make sure things run smoothly.

On the kids side of things, Cody is the coordinator for both Co-kids and Kids & Discovery. Kids & Discovery, a loop only for kids and trusted servants, has 12 members. There have also been a few more kids joining since Cody began submitting the URL to search engines.

Co-kids, a loop for parents, grandparents and others who need help helping a child who eats compulsively has had a few people subscribe this month and sharing volume has increased to over 100 shares, which is way up. All-in-all, it is great that we have these loops for people to discover and find when they are in need!

Cody also submits a topic just about everyday to ensure that when people or kids are looking for help, there is always a positive message out their on the loop for them to find!

Submitted By:

Cody (codygirl7318@yahoo.com)
Mary W. (pugrescuer@hotmail.com)
    Discovery Loops Coordinators

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

~ FROM THE TRG OA MEETING DIVISION ~

ONLINE MEETING DIVISION

A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes in The Recovery Group administration, and this month we are delighted to welcome Melody (Nody) and Danielle into their respective service positions.

Nody is now in charge of the weekly meeting topics and is doing a wonderful, creative job. She has also been appointed editor of the new TRG meeting newsletter, so look out for the first edition! Danielle has been appointed as an additional meeting co-coordinator and her challenges include setting up a weekly Newcomers meeting and overseeing the proposed Meeting Leader Mentor's Program. Welcome, Nody and Danielle, and thank you for your willing service.

StarChat administration has been very helpful and supportive over the last few weeks with the sudden influx of unwanted guests during our meetings. It is very encouraging to know that they are there to assist our leaders at all times, and fortunately the disruptions to the meetings are kept to a minimum.

Thank you to all our leaders who implemented our meeting protocols under pressure and continued to provide wonderful meetings for those of us who have come to rely on them.

See you all at the meetings!

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,

If you are looking for a way to keep your recovery alive and growing, sharing your recovery through sponsoring might be just what you need! We all know that we cannot keep it unless we give it away. We sponsor at the level of recovery that we have, and we learn and grow so much as we give to others.

There is no greater service to and for compulsive overeaters than that of being a sponsor. The Recovery Group has a dedicated online sponsorship service. We invite you to share what you have been blessed with and become a sponsor. Please contact us today.

http://recovery.hiwaay.net/sponsors.html

To become a sponsor: TRGSponsorsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org

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

Contact: TRGSponsorsAdm@lists.TheRecoveryGroup.org



~ RECOVERY TELEPHONE ANGELS ~



The Recovery Telephone Angel Program is up and running again. I know in the past it has been a lifesaver on many occasions for members of the Recovery Group.

What the Telephone Angels Program does is have available to all members of The Recovery Group a private directory of members who are willing to take telephone calls from TRG members who may need help or just need to talk.

The directory is made available regularly. Cody is the new coordinator for about 27 Telephone Angels from all over the country and world, too! Once somebody expresses an interest in becoming a Telephone Angel, they join a loop where they can ask questions, make suggestions and be available for updates from TRGAdm.

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.

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



~ FROM OUR TRG MEMBERS ~



If you would like to submit a share for publication in an upcoming Issue of Serendipity please send your submission to: SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com ( Subject: TRG Members Submission).


~ RECOVERY WRITERS' SERIES ~

During this last quarter of the year, our monthly Writers' Series turns to an intimate and inspirational thread of letters from one Recovery Group member to his higher power.

As a member of the Recovery Group loop called 'Heavyweights On The Journey', I'm already fortunate enough to receive Danny's Letters to God by e-mail each day.

If you've never had a chance to read them, you can make up for lost time by following the link below. If you've already read them, treat yourself again. Danny's natural wit and wisdom are a gift that can benefit everyone.

This month's selection begins in the middle of the series, which can be read in any order, with "Not Stuffing It."

To read the remaining letters, check out the entire collection at:
http://recovery.hiwaay.net/danny/dannytogod.html

Love,
Kristine
Co-editor

~~ NOT STUFFING IT ~~
Dear God,

Good morning and thanks for another day to seek and do Your will. It is of course as always brought to my attention that when my eyes first opened today I was abstinent, free of fear, all fear and given yet another chance to be of assistance to another human being. Thanks.

In less than one hour I'm to call the folks to come and install the kitchen countertop, which has been the big hold up, and then on Monday the water will be hooked up. My home is a filthy mess and will remain so until the last ass has done its work and disappeared from my life. Now You know how much my attitude suffers at the first appearance of change. I'm talking about things being changed just because "it is time to change this, I'm tired of looking at it" type of change. I can't find a damn thing in this place I used to call home.

So, where is the woman You sent to run my life, hiding out somewhere in New Jersey with her women's circle stuff. Who will feel sorry for me and or tell me what to do, how to do it, when to do it whatever it is? Is all this a cruel joke or some sort of dream from which I am not allowed to wake? I know by the time this is written at least I will have a better attitude for the rest of today. Thanks. I figure as dumb as my complaints are they are mine and to stuff them would cost me at least ten pounds, and I cannot afford them, so You have them.

So God of mine, here I am, waiting to see what or who You will send my way today for some sort of assistance. Please gift me with the wisdom and power to do so. Watch over my family, friends, fellow loopies, those who still pray to food plans and the folks I could do without.

And Why Not?
Danny



~ FROM THE LITERATURE ~




~~THE TWELVE STEPS ~ STEP TEN~~

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



~~ THE TWELVE TRADITIONS ~ TRADITION TEN ~~

Our group has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Overeaters Online Recovery Group name ought never be drawn into public controversy.




~~ BIG BOOK QUOTE ~~
BIG BOOK READING
"We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try a drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a case of the jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition."

~ c. 1976, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 31-2. ~


MY SHARE...(From Myrlene, Big Book and Recovery Group)

This reading seemed like a real test to we compulsive overeaters, too. I can't imagine being able to go to a wonderful bakery and let loose and see all the hard to resist items in there and not take something. Then if I did do well the first time and I decided I'd tempt myself to see if I were really a COE or not and step into another bakery with everything in the world in the display windows. I don't think I could resist something there either. No sense tempting myself with something I know I couldn't resist. I know I'm a compulsive overeater and I know what my triggers are and I'm sure I won't be attempting to tease myself with all these delicacies. I now know better. And not only that, but I have found out that sugar gives me a really bad nervous reaction inwardly and makes me feel like my skin is trying to jump out from the inside. Not a pleasant feeling. But after a while if I were to wait, I know I'd be tempted to just "try" something again.

No. I think I'll pass on that. I think I'll stay on program and feel good instead. :)

Blessings to all,
    Myrlene


~ RECOVERY MEDITATIONS ~

~ October Meditations Calendar ~
(http://www.therecoverygroup.org/meditations.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 ~

Newsletter Editors ~ SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com
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




TRG ADMINISTRATION
( TRGAdm@TheRecoveryGroup.org)

TRG ADMINISTRATOR
Dodee

TRG ADMINISTRATOR APPRENTICES
Cody and Mary W.

TRG ADVISORS
John, Patt, Sande and Cate
TRG DIVISIONS
RECOVERY LOOPS: Dodee
ODAT LOOPS: Nancy
DISCOVERY LOOPS: Dodee
FOREIGN LOOPS: Dodee (Acting)
TRG OA MEETINGS: Terri, Barry and Christine
TRG SPECIAL SERVICES: Dodee (Acting)


"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 10 © Copyright 2004 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved.