Literature As A Tool

Literature
We study and read OA-approved pamphlets; OA-approved books, such as Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous and For Today; and we read Lifeline, our monthly magazine on recovery. We also study the book Alcoholics Anonymous, referred to as the “Big Book,” to understand and reinforce our program. Many OA members find that when read daily, the literature further reinforces how to live the Twelve Steps. Our OA literature and the AA “Big Book” are ever-available tools which provide insight into our problem of eating compulsively, strength to deal with it, and the very real hope that there is a solution for us.

I absolutely love Literature as a tool. The extraordinary awe-inspiring conference approved literature is such a blessing. It is such a source of strength & comfort to know that I am not alone. For so long, I always believed I was alone, defective, screwed up & such a failure but when I started reading the impressive, reflective, meditative literature my entire being was filled. The debris & dreck assaulting my spirit slowly shifted when I first read “my story” in all of the powerfully enriching literature. As I read more of our incredibly compelling literature, brilliant sunshine radiated on my spirit nourishing my soul.

The literature energizes & sustains my program of recovery. When I am unable to attend meetings, the literature is a meeting for me 24/7. What a miraculous gift to have access to program whenever I needed it. A blessing! I remember when I was in a bad head space & needed q meeting – I needed to be @ home where people understood me. I needed to be nestled in the caring, loving & understanding cocoon of my program family. Mi familia of health, sanity & serenity. I can just delve into the literature & know my truth.

My mind may want to “pick & choose”, my disease may claim “amnesia” but my story is written between all the phenomenal pages of the literature. I think it is such a mind-blowing experience to know I am NOT alone. What a cherished gift to know I am inside of those pages remarkable pages. Whenever I need a meeting, I've got one on the go! I carry a piece of literature everywhere I go.