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
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.
SUBMITTING LETTERS
~ Letters to the Editor are encouraged and welcomed. ~
All letters to the Editor should be addressed to: SerendipityNewsletter@yahoo.com,
with 'Letter to the Editor' in the subject line.
~ 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.
- Send an email to Listserv@Maelstrom.stjohns.edu
- No subject necessary
- In the body of the message type:
- Subscribe WTS FirstName LastInitial
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
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.
To become a TRG Sponsor, please write to:
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?
WHAT A SPONSOR DOES NOT DO:
SOME FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A SPONSOR:
§«¤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.
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
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:
Love in service, Cody
Administrator Apprentice
~ 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 ~ ~
*Permission for Ten Ways To Love Ourselves below was given by Louise Hays.
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
§«¤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.
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 ~~
"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 ONLINE MEETINGS
Overeaters Anonymous
Telephone 505-891-2664
~ THE RECOVERY GROUP CONTACTS ~
TRG ADMINISTRATION
What we could never do alone ~
One day at a time, ~
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 6 Issue 9 ©
Copyright 2004 THE RECOVERY GROUP All rights reserved.
~ THE RECOVERY GROUP 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,
REACHING THE MEETINGS
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.
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
You can find other helpful information, including on-line meeting
protocols at:
http://www.starchat.net/chat/?chan=recovery
http://recovery.hiwaay.net/support/meetings.html
~ 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.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 ~
(
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.
We can do together.
One step at a time.
Disclaimer