Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide Overeaters ... Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide 2...

TwelveStepWorkshopandStudyGuide1

OvereatersAnonymous2

TableofContents3

Reader’sGuide-------------------------------------------------------------------------------4Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

InformationforLeaders---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6SampleFlyer------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7

IntroductorySession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8ReadinessAssessmentQuestions---------------------------------------------------------------- 9IntroductorySessionHomeworkand10ReadingforNextSession(StepOne)------------------------------------------------------------ 11ParticipantResponsibilities----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise------------------------------------------- 13Closing-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14SuggestedOpeningsandClosingsforAllSessions-------------------------------------------- 15

StepOneSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16ParticipantContactInformation------------------------------------------------------------------ 17StepOneSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTwo)----------------- 18

StepTwoSession---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19StepTwoSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepThree)--------------- 20

StepThreeSession-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21StepThreeSessionHomeworkforandReadingforNextSession22(StepFour:SessionOneofThree)---------------------------------------------------------------- 23

StepFour:SessionOneofThree-------------------------------------------------------------------------24GeneralInventoryGuidelines--------------------------------------------------------------------- 25ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines------------------------------------------------------------- 26ResentmentsWorksheetExamples-------------------------------------------------------------- 27ResentmentsWorksheet --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28StepFourGlossary---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29StrengthsWorksheetGuidelines----------------------------------------------------------------- 30StrengthsWorksheetExamples------------------------------------------------------------------ 31StrengthsWorksheets------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32StepFour:SessionOneofThreeHomework--------------------------------------------------- 33

StepFour:SessionTwoofThree -------------------------------------------------------------------------34FearsWorksheetGuidelines---------------------------------------------------------------------- 35FearsWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------------------------- 36FearsWorksheet------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37SexConductWorksheetGuidelines-------------------------------------------------------------- 38SexConductWorksheetExamples--------------------------------------------------------------- 39

SexConductWorksheet---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines------------------------------------------ 41Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetExamples------------------------------------------- 42Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet--------------------------------------------------------- 43StepFour:SessionTwoofThreeHomework--------------------------------------------------- 44

StepFour:SessionThreeofThree-----------------------------------------------------------------------45OtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines-------------------------------------------------- 46OtherProblemAreasWorksheetExamples---------------------------------------------------- 47OtherProblemAreasWorksheets---------------------------------------------------------------- 48OldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines---------------------------------------------------------------- 49OldBeliefsWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------------------- 50OldBeliefsWorksheets----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51StepFour:SessionThreeofThreeHomeworkand52ReadingforNextSession(StepFive)------------------------------------------------------------ 53

StepFiveSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------54StepFiveSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepSix)------------------- 55

StepSixSession------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------56StepSixSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepSeven)----------------- 57

StepSevenSession--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------58StepSevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepEight)-------------- 59

StepEightSession---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------60StepEightSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepNine)--------------- 61

StepNineSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------62StepNineSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTen)----------------- 63

StepTenSession-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------64StepTenSpot-checkWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------- 65StepTenSpot-checkWorksheet------------------------------------------------------------------ 66SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsResentmentsandFears-------------------- 67SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsSexConductandHarms-------------------- 68StepTenDailyReview------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 69Self-Will/HP’sorGod’sWill---------------------------------------------------------------------- 70StepTenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepEleven)-------------- 71

StepElevenSession-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72StepElevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTwelve)---------- 73

StepTwelveSession------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------74StepTwelveSessionAssignments---------------------------------------------------------------- 75StepTwelveSessionActions:NextSteps-------------------------------------------------------- 76

77

78

79

Reader’sGuide80

Thisbookwasdevelopedasaworkshopleader’sguidebuthasotheruses,81sponsor/sponsee–discussionforexample.Tomakeituser-friendlyforthewidestrangeof82readers,textthatisrepeatedfromsessiontosessionissetingray-shadedboxes.83

HomeworkfortheIntroductoryandStepOneSessionsishandedoutatthefirstsession.84Thereafter,homeworkforeachStepishandedoutattheprevioussessioninordertobe85completedbeforethatStepisdiscussedface-to-face.Thishomeworkisprimarilyreading86andjournaling.Furtherworkisdoneduringthesession.87

Introduction88

InOvereatersAnonymous,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis:89

Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefood90behaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,91emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymous92Twelve-Stepprogram.193

RecoveringmembersofOAareabstinent.Theymayfollowmanydifferentplansofeating,94havewidelydivergentideasaboutaHigherPower,andrepresentaspectrumoflifeand95compulsiveeatinghistories.96

WhatwehaveincommonisdeepgratitudetotheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous97forsavingourlivesandtoAlcoholicsAnonymousastheoriginatoroftheseSteps.Wework98theseStepsdaily,alongwiththeotheraspectsoftheOAprogram.Withbodiesator99approachingahealthyweightandsometimesexperiencingsignificantimprovementsinour100health,wearenolongertorturedbyobsessionwithfood.Wedescribeourlivesnowas101filledwithjoy,purpose,clarity,peaceofmind,positiverelationships,andstrengthtoface102life’schallenges,withoutusingfoodasadrug.103

WetellnewcomersorstrugglingOAmemberswhoaskhowwedidit:“Putdownthefork104andworktheSteps.”105

Howdostrugglingmembersfindabstinencewhentheyhavetriedeverythingtheyknow106timeandagainwithoutsuccess?Howdoabstainingsponsorshelpmorepeoplewhenthey107alreadyhavemultiplesponseesandnomorehoursintheday?108

Asapathtorecovery,thisguideprovidesfifteenscriptedsessionstotakeparticipants109throughanaccelerated,intensiveTwelveStepworkshop.CompletingtheTwelveSteps110doesnothavetotakeayearormore.ThebookAlcoholicsAnonymous,theBigBook,111describesearlymemberstakingmanyoftheSteps—howeverimperfectly—inthefirstfew112daysoftheirrecovery,althoughthisguidesuggestsaslightlylongerprocess.This113workshopblendssomeoftheoriginalmethodsdescribedintheBigBookwithideas114

1AdoptedattheWorldServiceBusinessConferencein1988;amendedin2002,2009,and2011.

describedinourOAliterature.Whicheverpathwetake,welearntotrustaHigherPower,115clearawaythewreckageofthepast,andhelpothersinordertoenjoylifelongabstinence,116onedayatatime.117

OnlythefirsthalfofStepOnehasanythingtodowithfoodandcompulsiveeating.Therest118oftheStepsalldealwithliving.Somemembershavethemistakenbeliefthatiftheycan119followaplanofeatingforashorttimeandgettheirweight“undercontrol”lifewillbe120great.Wehaveabettersolution:WorktheSteps.TheBigBookpromisesthatifwe121surrendercontroltoaPowergreaterthanourselves,“Wewillintuitivelyknowhowto122handlesituationswhichusedtobaffleus”(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.84).However,123thatpromiseappearsafterStepNine.AbstainingOAmembers,whohaveincorporatedthe124TwelveStepsintotheirwayofliving,worktheStepsdaily.TheStepshelpusstayabstinent125byidentifyingthecausesofourcompulsionandbylearninghealthybehaviors.Howcanwe126learntousetheseStepsinordertobeabstinentandtohavealifethatishappy,joyous,and127free?128

TheTwelveStepWorkshopandStudyGuideprovidesdetaileddirectionsonhowtoorganize129andrunafifteensessionworkshopleadingOAmembersthroughallTwelveSteps.130Althoughthestructureofthisguidedescribesholdingweeklytwo-hoursessions,the131workshopcouldbeconfiguredinanotherway—aslongaseachsession’sentirecontents132stayintact,theworkshopmovesalongatarapidpace,andparticipantshaveadequatetime133todotheirhomeworkbetweensessions.Regardlessoftheduration,thisworkshopis134designedtobeclosedtonewparticipantsaftertheIntroductorySession;eachsession135buildsonthepreviousones,andconsistentmembershipfostersthetrustingand136supportiveatmosphereconducivetoin-depthStepwork.Becauseitisclosed,this137workshopcannotberegisteredwithOAWorldServiceasanOAmeeting.138

UsingtheOA-approvedliteraturereferredtointhisguide,2participantscanworkthe139Steps,notjuststudyorreadaboutthem.Theycanread,reflect,write,discuss,andtake140actionasdescribedintheSteps.Theseactionsincludewritingandgivingawayan141inventory,askingtheirHigherPowertoremoveshortcomings,makingamends,takinga142dailyinventory,prayingandmeditating,reachingouttoothers,andpracticingthe143PrinciplesembodiedintheseStepsinallaspectsoftheirdailylives.Therearehomework144assignmentsbetweeneachsession.Participantsareexpectedtoattendallsessions,145completeassignments,andcontactotherparticipantsbetweensessions.Inaddition,146participantsareexpectedtosimultaneouslycontinuetheirregularOApractices:attend147meetings,makeoutreachcalls,workwithanabstinentsponsor,followaplanofeating,and148soon.Iftherearenoavailableabstinentsponsorswhocansupportparticipantsinthis149workshop,participantsareencouragedtoworktogetheraspartnersinrecovery.150

Participantswhobenefitmostarethosewhoarewillingtogotoanylengthtorecover.151TheyprobablyhavesomefamiliaritywiththeOAprogram,haveadmittedtheyare152

2TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous;AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook);AATwelveStepsandTwelveTraditions;OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition;andtheOAdailyreaders,VoicesofRecoveryandForToday

compulsiveeatersorhavecompulsivefoodbehaviors,havegivenupsearchingforother153solutionstotheirproblem,andarewillingtobeabstinentonedayatatime.Theymustalso154bewillingtodevotethetimeandattentionthisrecoveryprocessrequires.Theyshould155understandthatthisrigorousworkshoprepresentsjustonewaytostayabstinentand156worktheSteps;thereareasmanyapproachestoStepworkasthereareindividualsinOA.157

Ideally,anabstainingOAmemberwhohasworkedallTwelveStepswillleadthegroup.158Responsibilitiescouldalsobesharedwithaco-leader.Participantsareencouragedtogive159servicebyleadingthisworkshopthemselvesafterthey’vecompletedit.However,this160workshopisdesignedtoproduceresultseveniftherearecurrentlynolocallyqualified161sponsorstoleadit.162

Thegoalofthisguideandworkshopistohelpasmanypeopleaspossibleachieveand163maintainabstinence.BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutof164despairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingall165TwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.166

InformationforLeaders167

Theleader(andco-leaderifresponsibilitiesareshared)will:168

InitiatetheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.169

• Determineifthereisenoughinteresttostarttheworkshop.Werecommend170fourtotwelveparticipants.Speakwithotherstogetanideaofhowmanyare171interested.172

• Specifythattheworkshopisfifteen,two-hoursessions.Potentialgroup173membersshouldbewillingtocommittoattendingallsessions.174

• Specifythatthisisaclosedworkshop.Therecanbenonewmembersafterthe175first(Introductory)session.Assuch,itcannotberegisteredasanOAgroupwithOA176WorldService.177

• Selectameetingtime,place,andfrequency.Meetingweeklyallowstimefor178completinghomeworkassignmentsbetweensessions.Dowhatworksforthegroup,179butkeepinmindthatitisveryimportanttocompleteanentiresessionasasingle,180intactunitduringthetwohoursallottedforthatsession.181

• Produceanddistributeflyersabouttheworkshop.Asampleflyerisincludedon182pagetbd.183

Facilitatetheworkshop.184

• Openandclosethemeetingspace.185

• Startandendtheworkshopontime.186

• Guideparticipantsthrougheachsession.187

• Decidehowresponsibilitieswillbesharedifthereareco-leadersforthe188workshop.189

• CollecttheSeventhTraditionduringeachsessiontopayrentandothercostsas190needed.191

• Gatherthematerials.Preparewhatisneededbeforethebeginningofevery192sessioninordertoavoidfeelingrushedorforgettingsomething.Readthroughthe193nextsession’sscript.Makesuretohaveenoughhandoutsforallparticipants.194Sometimestheygettwoofeach.195

• ExplainthehomeworkuntilStepFouriscompleted.Attheappropriatetime,196handoutthehomeworksheets,readthemaloudtotheparticipants,andaskfor197questions.198

• ProvidecontactinformationduringtheIntroductorySession.Itwillbeonthe199ParticipantContactInformationlistfollowingtheStepOneSession.200

• Rememberthatthisworkshopispresentedinfifteen,two-hoursessions.Each201sessioniswrittenasascriptfortheleadertoread.Thescriptincludestheamountof202timeallowedtocompleteeachsectionaswellashandoutsandhomeworkrelatedto203thatsession.204

• Sticktothetimeindicatedineachsectionofthescript.Itisimportanttoget205throughallofeachsession’smaterialduringthatsession.Eachsessionbuildsonand206reinforcestheprevioussession.Newmaterialpresentedpreparesparticipantsfor207thehomeworkfollowingthesession.Theworkshopconductedasoutlinedhelps208participantslearnstructure,order,anddiscipline.209

• Observethetimeguidelinesinthescript.Ifworkshopparticipantsignorethe210timer,letthemfinishtheirsentence.Thenpolitelystopthem.Ifthisisn’tdone211consistently,thetimerwillbeignored.Saysomethinglike,“I’msorry,Susan.Timeis212up.Thankyouforsharing.Whowouldliketosharenext?”213

Bringnecessarysupplies.214

• Timer.Werecommendusingatimerthatkeepstrackofsecondsincasetheleader215wantstogivethespeakeraten-orthirty-secondwarningthathisorhertimeis216almostup.217

• Containersuchasabasket,jar,orenvelopeforcollectingtheSeventhTradition218

• Envelopesaddressedtothefacilitywheretherentistobepaid219

• Leader’scopyofallrequiredtexts:TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsof220OvereatersAnonymous,AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook3),AA221TwelveandTwelve,OvereatersAnonymousThirdEdition,VoicesofRecovery,andFor222Today.223

• Extrapensandpaper224

225

3Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.

226

Overeaters Anonymous 227

Workshop on the Twelve Steps 228

A15-sessionworkshopdesignedtohelpparticipants229

achieveandmaintainabstinencethroughworkingallTwelveSteps 230 231

June 12 – September 18, 2016 232

Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 233

June 12 is the Introductory Session 234 235

The following OA-approved literature will be used in the workshop 236sessions and homework assignments: 237

• The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous 238

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition (the Big Book) 239

• Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions by Alcoholics Anonymous 240

• Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition 241

• Voices of Recovery 242

• For Today 243

Participants need their own copies. 244

Workshop Location: 245

Holiday Inn, 1122 Willow Lane, Hometown, XA 12345 246

Questions? Contact Donna R: (999) 555-1212 247

This is a closed workshop for 4 to 12 participants. No new members may join after the 248Introductory Session. Participants commit to attend and fully participate in all sessions. 249

IntroductorySession4250

ExplaintheFundamentalsoftheWorkshop(15minutes)251

4Thisbookwasdevelopedasaworkshopleader’sguidebuthasotheruses,sponsor/sponsee–discussionforexample.Tomakeituser-friendlyforthewidestrangeofreaders,textthatisrepeatedfromsessiontosessionissetingray-shadedboxes.

! Opening(15minutes)

• SerenityPrayer

LEADER

“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”

LEADERREADS

“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”

• Check-in(5minutes)

LEADER

“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”

[Leadersetsthetimer.]

• Meditation(3minutes)

LEADER

“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”


252

253254LEADER255

“TherearemanywaystoworktheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.Torecover256fromthefataldiseaseofcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviors,it’svitalthatwe257workallTwelveSteps.Inthisworkshopwewilllearnonewaytodothis.Ifwe’rewillingto258followdirectionsandfullyparticipate,thisworkshopcanhelpusbecomeandremain259abstinentandbewellonourwaytorecoveryinfifteensessions.260

“Eachsessionofthisworkshopisdesignedtolasttwohours.Becauseit’simportanttoget261throughallthematerialineachsession,we’lluseatimertohelpusstayontrack.Webegin262eachsessionwithacheck-in,ashortmeditation,asummaryoftheprevioussession’sStep,263andaquestionaboutwhetherwe’vetakenthatStep.Ifyouhaven’t,discussthiswitha264sponsortodetermineanyactionyouneedtotake.Keepmovingforward.Becauseoftime265constraintswewillnotdiscusstheprevioussession’shomework.It’suptoustodoour266homeworkbetweensessions.However,thisisnota“do-it-yourself”workshop.To267discourageisolationandencouragefellowship,sharethehomeworkwithafellow268participantandasponsor.269

• WorkshopGoal

LEADER

“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”

• TwelveSteps(5minutes)

LEADER

“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”

[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]

“Ingeneral,mostsessionsfollowthesameformat:Aftercheckingin,wefocusontheStep270we’reworkingonduringthesession.Wetaketurnsreadingpassagesfromourliterature271anddiscussingthosepassages.AftertheSeventhTradition,wetakeabreak.Followingthe272break,areading,writing,andsharingexercisebasedonselectedentriesfromourOAdaily273readersrevealsmoretousabouttheStep.Somesessionsincludelongerin-classexercises.274

“Attheendofthesession,wepassouthomeworkthatwillhelpusreflect,write,andtake275actionrelatedtotheworkwedidduringthatsession.Thehomeworkincludesreading276assignmentstoprepareusforthenextsession.WethenclosewithaprayerandtheOA277Promise,whichencouragesustokeepworkingtogethernomatterwhat.278

“Tobepreparedtofullyparticipate,bringbooks,spiralnotebooks,writingimplements,and279handoutstoeachsession.280

“Pleasenotethatafterthissession,theworkshopisclosedtonewparticipants.Each281sessionbuildsontheprevioussession,andconsistentmembershiphelpsusbuildtrustand282supporteachotherasweundertakein-depthStepwork.Becausethisworkshopisclosed,it283cannotberegisteredwithOAWorldServiceasanOAmeeting.284

“Herearehandoutswithalistofparticipantresponsibilities,theStrongAbstinence285ChecklistandWritingExercise,andthehomeworkassignmentsfortoday’sIntroductory286SessionandfortheStepOneSessionwhenwemeetnexttime.Theseassignmentsare287typicaloffuturehomeworkassignments.Pleasetakefiveminutestoreadthem,andthen288we’lltakeafewminutesforquestions.”289

[LeaderhandsoutParticipantResponsibilities,the290StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise,291andthehomeworkfortheIntroductoryandStep292OneSessions.Leadersetsthetimer.]293

LEADER294

“Wewillneedtherequiredbooksforthisweek’shomework.Arethereanyquestions?Ifso,295let’stakefiveminutestodiscussthem.”296

[Leadersetsthetimer.]297

! ReadingandGroupDiscussion—GoingtoAnyLength?(25minutes)298

LEADER299

“Wewillnowconsiderwhywemightwanttoparticipateinthisworkshopbyreadingfrom300ourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.301

“PleaseopentheBigBook5tochapter5,‘HowItWorks,’(p.58).302

5Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’

Wewilltaketurnsreadingafewparagraphsfromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘We303askedHisprotectionandcarewithcompleteabandon’onpage59.MayIhaveavolunteer304tobeginreading?”305

[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]306

LEADER307

“Letmerereadthestatementonpage58:‘Ifyouhavedecidedyouwantwhatwehaveand308arewillingtogotoanylengthtogetit—thenyouarereadytotakecertainsteps.’309

“WhatdoIthinkrecoveringOAmembershavethatIwant?WhatqualitiesorattitudesdoI310needtobesuccessfulintheOAprogram?311

“Wehavetwentyminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso312asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”313


LEADER315

“Toconcludethissection,I’llreadapassageonpagexfromthe‘IntroductiontotheTwelve316Steps’fromtheOATwelveandTwelve.”317

LEADERREADS318

“Ifyouthinkyoumaybeacompulsiveovereater,giveyourselfachancefor319recoverybytryingtheOAprogram.Ourwayoflife,basedonthesetwelve320stepsandtwelvetraditions,hasbroughtusphysical,emotional,andspiritual321healingthatwedon’thesitatetocallmiraculous.Whatworksforuswillwork322foryou,too.”323

324

! Contributions(3minutes)

LEADER

“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”

[Leaderpassesthebasket.]

! Break(10minutes)

LEADER

“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”


! WelcomeReadingandWritingfromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25325minutes)326

LEADER327

“Welcomebackfromourbreak.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdailyreaders328relatedtostartingourjourneytorecovery.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwenty329minutestowriteonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.330

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadFebruary4fromForTodayonpage35?”331

[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]332

LEADER333

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember11fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage346?”334


LEADER336

“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”337


LEADER339

“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”340

[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]341

342! Handout:ReadinessAssessmentQuestions(15minutes)343

LEADER344

“Herearequestionstohelpusdecidewhetherwearereadytoparticipateinthisworkshop345andrecoverfromcompulsiveeating.PleasefollowalongasIread.”346

[LeaderpassesoutandreadstheReadiness347AssessmentQuestionshandout.]348

349

ReadinessAssessmentQuestions350

[FordiscussionduringIntroductorySession.]351

AmIreadyforthisOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop?Todecide,answerthe352followingquestions.Considerdiscussingtheanswerswithasponsororpartnerin353recovery.354

• AmIahopelesscompulsiveeater?355

• AmIfinishedsearchingforothermethodstotrytocontrolmyeating?356

• AmIteachable?357

• AmIwillingtogotoanylengthforrecovery?358

• AmIwillingtofindandworkwithanabstinentOAsponsororpartnerin359recovery?360

• DoIhaveaplanofeating?Doesitwork?Ifnot,amIwillingtoaccepthelpin361developingone?362

• AmIwillingtolistandforgomytriggerfoods,bingefoods,andcompulsiveeating363behaviorsandsharethatlistwithmyOAsponsororpartnerinrecovery?364

• AmIwillingtousetheOAToolsofrecovery,especiallyastheyapplytothis365workshop?366

• AmIwillingtosetasideeverythingIthinkIknowaboutmyself,mydisease,the367Steps,andespeciallymyHigherPower?368

• AmIwillingtodevelopanddeepenmyrelationshipwithaHigherPower?369

• DoIhavethewillingnessandcapacitytobeopen-mindedandhonestwithmyself,370mysponsor,andmyfellowworkshopparticipants?371

• AmIwillingtoattendandparticipateineachworkshopsessionanddotherelated372homework?373

• AmIwillingtocompletetheentireworkshop,puttingPrinciplesbefore374personalities,tosupportmyselfandmyfellowparticipantsasIworkthroughthe375TwelveSteps?376

377

378LEADER379

“Pleasetakefiveminutestohonestlyanswerthesequestions,prayingandmeditatingfor380thesinceredesireforrecoveryandthewillingnesstofullyparticipateinthisworkshop.”381


LEADER383

“Nowlet’stakethreeminuteseachtoshareouranswerswiththepersonsittingnexttous.384WeaskourHigherPower’sguidanceinhelpingusdecideifwe’reready.Beforeournext385session,callmewithadecision.”386


! Guarantee(1minute)388

LEADER389

“Canweguaranteeyourecoveryfromcompulsiveeating,alifebeyondyourwildest390dreams?PleasefollowasIreadfrompage99oftheOATwelveandTwelve.”391

LEADERREADS392

“Wewhohaveworkedthe…stepsoftheOvereatersAnonymousprogram393havehadaspiritualawakening,andwenowhaveamessageofhopetocarry394toothercompulsiveovereaters.Wewhooncesufferedfromcomplete395powerlessnesstocontroloureatingandourliveshavenowdiscoveredthe396savingstrengthofaPowergreaterthanourselves.Wehaveexperiencedthe397miracleofphysical,emotional,andspiritualhealing,justaswewere398promisedwhenwebeganthesesteps.”3996 400

6TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)

! Abstinence6Check-in

LEADER

“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.

401[HomeworkforthissessionincludesIntroductory402andStepOneHomework,Participant403Responsibilities,andtheStrongAbstinence404ChecklistandWritingExercise.]405

406


HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)

LEADER

“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”

[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]

LEADER

“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”

IntroductorySessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession407

! ReadingforreviewofIntroductorySession408

• ReadFebruary23fromForTodayonpage54.409

• RereadtheReadinessAssessmentQuestionshandout.410

• ReviewParticipantResponsibilities411

• ReviewtheStrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercisehandout.412

! Writing413

• Whatisthecurrentstateofmyrecoveryorrelapse?WhatamIdoingandwhatamI414feeling?415

• HowdoIusefoodtoescapelife’sproblems?416

• WhydoIwanttobeinthisworkshop?Listseveralreasons.417

! Action418

• DoIhaveasponsor?Ismysponsorabstinent7?DoesmysponsorworkalltheSteps?419Ifnot,wearestronglyencouragedtofindanabstinentsponsorwhocontinuesto420worktheSteps.(Ifwecannotfindanabstinentsponsorwhoactivelyworksthe421Steps,chooseapartnerinrecoveryfromthisworkshoptoworkwith.)422

• DiscusstheactionsIambeingaskedtotaketoparticipateinthisworkshopwithmy423abstinentsponsor.Willmysponsorhelpmefollowthisworkshop’sdirectionsto424workalltheSteps?425

• Contacttheworkshopleaderregardingmycommitmenttoparticipateinthis426workshop.427


Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.

• Gathermaterials:spiralnotebooks,books,writingimplements,andafoldertokeep428handouts.429

! ReadingAssignmentsforthenextsessiononStepOne8430

• OATwelveandTwelve431

o IntroductiontotheTwelveSteps(pp.ix-x)432

o StepOne(pp.1-7)433

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepOne(pp.21-24)434

• OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition,bothForewords(pp.ix-xiv)andAppendicesA435throughD(pp.191-208)436

• BigBook9,“TheDoctor’sOpinion”(pp.xxv-xxxii)437

438439

8OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.


PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’

ParticipantResponsibilities440

! Attendandparticipateinallsessions,astheybuildoneachother.Contactthe441leaderaheadoftimeifweareunabletoattend.Read,reflect,write,discuss,andtake442actioninclassandthroughourhomeworkassignments.443

! Arriveearlyenoughtobereadytostartontime.444

! Bringmaterialstoeachsession:spiralnotebooks,requiredbooks,writing445implements,andafoldertokeephandouts.446

! WorkwithanabstinentsponsorwhocontinuestoworktheTwelveStepsandwill447helpuswiththisworkshop.Ifnoabstinentsponsorsareavailablelocally,expand448thesearchbyparticipatinginadditionalworkshopsandintergroup,telephone,or449onlinemeetings.Seeoa.orgfordirectoriesofthesemeetings.Untilwefindasponsor450whocanhelpusfollowthedirectionspresentedinthisworkshopforworkingthe451Steps,workwithapartnerinrecoveryfromthisworkshop.452

! Practiceanonymity.“Whoyouseehere,whatyouhearhere,whenyouleavehere,453letitstayhere.”Weareencouragedtodiscussthecontentoftheworkshopfromour454perspective—withoutnamingnames—withfellowparticipantsandoursponsor.455

! ContinueourregularOApractices,suchasattendingmeetingsandmakingphone456calls.457

! RequiredReadingMaterial10:458

• TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous459

• AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook11)460

• TwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsbyAlcoholicsAnonymous461

• OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition462

• VoicesofRecovery463

• ForToday464



WealsosuggestusingthelatesteditionofthefollowingOAliterature12toguideand465supportusinachievingandmaintainingabstinence:466

• ToolsofRecovery,OApamphlet#160467

• ACommitmenttoAbstinence,OApamphlet#141468

• APlanofEating:AToolforLiving,OApamphlet#145469

• DignityofChoice,OApamphlet#140470

• AGuideforSponsors,OApamphlet#200471

• SponsoringThroughtheTwelveSteps,OApamphlet#220472

473474


475476

StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise477 478Usethisvaluabletooleverydaytosupportyouinkeepingyourabstinencestrong479andintact.Youmayalsouseitasthefocusformeetingsandworkshops.480481CHECKLIST4821)HaveIbeenabstinenttoday?4832)DidIprayandmeditatetoday?4843)AmImaintainingorworkingtowardsahealthybodyweight?4854)DidIrelyonmyHigherPowertogetorstayabstinenttoday?4865)IswhatIamcurrentlydoingworkingformetoremainabstinent?4876)IfIamhavingproblemshaveIaskedsomeoneelsewhattheyaredoing?4887)HaveImadeanOAcalltoday?4898)DidIhaveanattitudeofgratitudetoday?4909)DidIplanmyfoodtoday?49110)HaveIhelpedsomeoneelsetoday?49211)DidIhaveanactionplaninplacetostayabstinenttoday?49312)DoIhaveasponsorandamIworkingtheStepswiththatperson?494495WRITINGEXERCISE4961)Whatiscompulsiveeatingforme?4972)Whatarethefoodsandfoodbehaviorsthattriggermetoeatcompulsively?4983)AmIafraidtogetabstinentandifyes,why?4994)WhydoIthinkabstinenceisimportant?5005)WhatdoIdotostopeatingcompulsively?5016)WhatStepsdoItaketoremainabstinentinallcircumstances?5027)Whatisthedifferencebetweenabstinenceandaplanofeating?5038)WhatactionsdoItaketomaintainmyabstinenceandachieveormaintain504ahealthybodyweight?5059)HowdoIbeginmydayinordertoabstainfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsive506foodbehaviors?50710)WhatToolsdoIregularlyuse?50811)Howdoesremainingabstinentimprovethequalityofmylife?50912)Whatplacedoesfoodhaveinmylifetoday?510511©2014OvereatersAnonymous,Inc.Board-approved.512

513 514 515 516

LEADER517 518

519LEADER520521“Ournextsessionwillbeheldat__________[location]andstartpromptlyat__________[time]522on__________[date].Pleasecomepreparedtowork.Ifyouneedassistanceinacquiringany523oftherequiredbooks,pleasetalktomeafterthissession.Andpleasecontactmewitha524decisionaboutcommittingtothisworkshop.”525

526

527

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER

“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”

[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]

LEADERREADS

“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”

SuggestedOpeningsandClosingsforAllSessions528

SerenityPrayer(useforallsessionsasopening)529

“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochange530thethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”531

OAPromise(useforallsessionsasfinalclosing)532

“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.No533longeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponour534ownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpower535andstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveand536understandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”(IPutMyHandinYours,p.i,andBeyond537OurWildestDreams,p.207)538

ThirdStepPrayer(useforStepsThreethroughSixclosings,followedbyOAPromise)539

“God,IoffermyselftoThee—tobuildwithmeandtodowithmeasThouwilt.540Relievemeofthebondageofself,thatImaybetterdoThywill.Takeawaymy541difficulties,thatvictoryoverthemmaybearwitnesstothoseIwouldhelpofThy542Power,ThyLove,andThyWayoflife.MayIdoThywillalways!”(Alcoholics543Anonymous,4thed.,p.63)544

SeventhStepPayer(useforStepsSeventhroughTwelveclosings,followedbyOA545Promise)546

“MyCreator,Iamnowwillingthatyoushouldhaveallofme,goodandbad.Ipray547thatyounowremovefrommeeverysingledefectofcharacterwhichstandsinthe548wayofmyusefulnesstoyouandmyfellows.Grantmestrength,asIgooutfrom549here,todoyourbidding.Amen.”(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.76)550

551

552

553

StepOneSession554

Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—thatourliveshadbecome555unmanageable.556

557


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


558

559! Summary560

LEADER561

“Insummary,I’llreadapassagefromthe‘Doctor’sOpinion’intheBigBook13beginning562with‘Menandwomendrink…’through‘…verylittlehopeofhisrecovery’(p.xxix).Please563turntopagexxviiiandfollowalong.”564

[Leaderreadsthepassage.]565

LEADER566

“Weaskourselves:‘AmIteachableandreadytobeginthisworkshop?AmIwillingto567considerthatImaybebodilyandmentallydifferentfromnormaleaters?’Pleaseshare568aboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”569

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepOne(upto45minutes)570

LEADER571

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepOne:‘Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—572thatourliveshadbecomeunmanageable.’573

“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.574

“PleaseopentheBigBooktopage20.575



LEADER




Wewilltaketurnsreadingthepassagebeginningwith‘Howmanytimespeoplehavesaid576tous:…’through‘Somanywanttostopbutcannot,’atthetopofpage25.Pleasetaketurns577readingafewparagraphs.Whowouldliketobegin?”578


LEADER580

“WhathaveItoldmyself,mytherapists,doctors,friends,andfamilyaboutwhymyeating581isoutofcontrolorwhyIcan’tmaintainahealthybodyweight?What’sthetruth?582

“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas583manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”584


LEADER586

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage3andtaketurnsreadingthepassage,587beginningwith‘Parttwoofstepone,…’through‘Wenevergrewup’onpage5.Whowould588liketobegin?”589


LEADER591

“Howhasmyeatingcareeraffectedmeandthosearoundme?WhathaveIdonetotryto592controllife—mineandothers?Hasitworked?593

“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso594asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”595

[Leadersetsthetimer.] 596


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



597

! ParticipantContactInformation598

LEADER599

“PleasefillintheParticipantContactInformationlistthat’sbeingpassedaround.I’llemail600everyoneacopy.We’llneedthiscontactinformationtoshareourhomeworkandmake601outreachcallsbeforeournextsession.”602

[LeaderpassestheParticipantContact603Informationlist.]604

! ReadingandWritingonStepOnefromForToday(25minutes)605

LEADER606

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepOne.NowwewillreadpassagesfromForToday607relatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowriteonthese608passagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.609

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly15fromForTodayonpage197?”610


LEADER612

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadOctober24fromForTodayonpage298?”613

[Volunteerreadsthepassages.]614

LEADER615



LEADER618



621622

14 623

624

625



LEADER


“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”

! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)

LEADER



LEADER


626! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


627628

OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshopParticipantContactInformation

Justfortoday—AmIwillingtoworkmyprogramasifmylifedependsonit?CALLBEFOREYOUTAKETHATFIRSTCOMPULSIVEBITE!

Name Phone Text?Y/N

BestTimetoCall

Email DoYouSponsor?

Leader:

Coleader:

StepOneSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession629

630

! Writing631

• HerearetwopassagesfromtheOATwelveandTwelve:632

“Anormaleatergetsfullandlosesinterestinfood.Wecompulsiveeaters633cravemore”(p.2).634

“Mostofushavetriedtodenytoourselvesthatwehavethisdisease.InOA635weareencouragedtotakeagoodlookatourcompulsiveeating,obesity,and636theself-destructivethingswehavedonetoavoidobesity—thedieting,637starving,over-exercising,orpurging”(p.3).638

• WhatexperienceshaveIhadinmyeatingcareerorintryingtohavea“normal-639looking”bodythathelpedmerelatetothesestatements?640

• Thediseaseofcompulsiveeatingisthreefold:physical,emotional,andspiritual.641Whathappenstomybody,myemotions,andmyspiritwhenIeatcompulsively?642

• FromtheAATwelveandTwelve,readthefirstandthelasttwoparagraphsofStep643One(p.21andp.24).644

• Howcantherebestrengthinadmittingweaknesswhenitcomestocompulsive645eatingandfood-relatedbehaviors?646

• Whyisitnecessaryto“hitbottom”beforebeginningtostartpracticingtheOA647programofrecovery?648

• Howhasmylifebeenunmanageable—especiallywithrespecttofamily,friends,and649work?650

! Action651

• InOvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition,readAppendixA(pp.191-194).652


• IntheBigBook15,readchapter3,“MoreaboutAlcoholism,”(pp.30-43).653

654

• Listthespecificfoodsandfood-relatedbehaviorsthattriggercompulsiveeatingor655obsessionsaroundfoodandeating.Sharethisinformationwithasponsororpartner656inrecoveryandoneotherpersoninthisworkshop.657

• HaveIdiscussedmyplanofeatingwithanabstinentsponsororpartnerin658recovery?DoIagreethatthisasensibleplanforme?659

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTwoSession16660

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTwo(pp.9-17)661

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTwo(pp.25-33)662

• BigBook17,chapter4,“WeAgnostics”(pp.44-57)663

664

665

666

667

668

669

670

671

672

673





StepTwoSession675

Cametobelievethatapowergreaterthanourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.676

677


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


678! Summary679

LEADER680

“TosummarizeourworkonStepOne,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepOnefromtheOA681TwelveandTwelve”(pp.6-7).682

LEADERREADS683

“Oncewehavebecometeachable,wecangiveupoldthoughtandbehavior684patternswhichhavefailedusinthepast,beginningwithourattemptsto685controloureatingandourweight.Honestappraisalofourexperiencehas686convincedusthatwecan’thandlelifethroughself-willalone.Firstwegrasp687thisknowledgeintellectually,andthenfinallywecometobelieveitinour688hearts.Whenthishappens,wehavetakenthefirststepandarereadyto689moveaheadinourprogramofrecovery.”690

LEADER691

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepOne?AmIconvincedthatIampowerlessover692food—thatmylifehasbecomeunmanageable?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsoror693partnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”694

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTwo(upto45minutes)695

LEADER696

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTwo:‘Cametobelievethatapowergreaterthan697ourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.’698


“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothebeginningofStepTwoonpage9.Wewill700readthrough‘…begantocauseusmisery’onpage11.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin701reading?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”702


LEADER704

“Weaskourselves:‘Howhasmyeatingbehaviorbeenirrationalandself-destructive,in705otherwords“insane”?’706


LEADER





LEADER710

“PleaseopentheBigBook18tothebeginningofchapter4,‘WeAgnostics’(p.44).MayI711haveavolunteertostartreading,endingwith‘Soitwascomfortingtolearnthatwecould712commenceatasimplerlevel’onpage47?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs713each.”714


LEADER716

“Letmerereadthequestiononpage47:‘“DoInowbelieve,oramIevenwillingtobelieve,717thatthereisaPowergreaterthanmyself?”’718

“Hasfoodbeenmyhigherpower?IfaHigherPowercouldrestoremetosanity,whatwould719thatHigherPowerbelike?WhatcanIdotobelieveinsuchaPower?720

“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso721asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”722




LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



! ReadingandWritingonStepTwofromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25724minutes)725

LEADER726

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTwo.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily727readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutestowrite728onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.729

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadFebruary1fromForTodayonpage32?”730


LEADER732

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadMarch25fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage85?”733


LEADER735

“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatanypartofthesepassagesmeanstoyou.”736


LEADER738



19 74119TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)


LEADER


742

743744745746747748



LEADER



LEADER


! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepTwoSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession749

! Writing750

• IntheOATwelveandTwelve,readthepassagestartingonpage11with“Themore751weatethemorewesuffered,…”through“ClearlyaPowergreaterthanourselves752hadtobefoundifweweretoberestoredtosanity”atthebottomofpage12.753

• Howhasmyinsanityaroundfood—thelie,“Itwon’thurtthistime”—affectedmy754life,family,friends,work,andrelationshipwiththeworldaroundme?755

• IntheBigBook20,read“AppendixII:SpiritualExperience”(pp.567-568).DidIcome756toOAwithabeliefinaHigherPower?OrdidIcometoOArejectingornotbelieving757inaHigherPower?758

• DoIbelieveIcanrecoverwithoutspiritualhelp?Howwelldoesthatwork?759

• HaveIallowedcontemptforcertainreligiouspracticesorspiritualbeliefstolimit760myacceptanceofaHigherPower?Ifso,inwhatways?761

• ThekeytoStepTwoiswillingnesstoactonfaith.HowwillingamI?IfI’mnot762willing,whatcanIdoaboutthat?763

! Action764

• DiscusstheconceptofaHigherPowerwithmysponsororpartnerinrecovery.765

• WriteaparagraphdescribingaHigherPowerthatIbelievecouldrestoremeto766sanity.767

• PracticeactingasifIhavefaithinthatHigherPower.768

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepThreeSession21769

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepThree(pp.19-27)770




• AATwelveandTwelve,StepThree(pp.34-41)771

• BigBook22772

o Chapter2,“ThereIsaSolution”(pp.17-29)773

o Chapter5,“HowItWorks”(pp.58-63,to“…wasfeltatonce.”)774

775

776


StepThreeSession777

MadeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlivesovertothecareofGodaswe778understoodHim.779

780


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


781

782! Summary783

LEADER784

“TosummarizeourworkonStepTwo,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepTwointheOA785TwelveandTwelve”(p.17).786

LEADERREADS787

“Thiswillingnesstoactonfaith,then,wasthekeytoStepTwo.Itwasthe788beginningofahealingprocessthatwouldrelieveusofthecompulsionto789overeatandbringstabilitytoourunbalancedlives.Aswerespondedwith790actiontothelovewehavebeenshowninOA,theresultwasanewfaithin791ourselves,inothers,andinthepowerofthatlove.Wehadbeguntodevelopa792newrelationshipwithaPowergreaterthanourselves,andwewerereadyto793moveaheadwithourprogramofrecovery.”794

LEADER795

“Weaskourselves:‘AmIwillingtoconsiderthatthereisapowergreaterthanmyselfthat796canrestoremetosanity?’Pleasediscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafter797thissession.”798

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepThree(upto45minutes)799

LEADER800

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepThree:‘Madeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlives801overtothecareofGodasweunderstoodHim.’802


“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage19.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting804at‘Itisimpossibletotakestepthreeuntilwehavetakenthefirsttwosteps….’through‘Our805primarypurposeistoabstainfromeatingcompulsively,andweknowthatinordertodoso806wewillneedhelp’onpage20?”807


LEADER




LEADER809

“HowcantakingStepThreehelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence?810



LEADER814

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage35.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting815atthebottomofthepagewith‘Butsupposethatinstinctcriesout,…’through‘Onegood816lookinthemirroroughttobeanswerenoughforanyalcoholic’onpage37?”817


LEADER819

“HowdoIfeelaboutbeingdependentonaHigherPower?820



LEADER824

“PleaseopentheBigBook23topage62.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,startingat‘Thisis825thehowandwhyofit….’through‘…aneffect,sometimesaverygreatone,wasfeltatonce’826atthebottomofpage63?Pleasetaketurnsreadingaparagrapheach.”827


LEADER829

“AsweaskforhelpfromourHigherPowerforwillingnessanddirection,wouldthosewho830wish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideorpage63intheBigBookandjoinmeinsaying831theThirdStepPrayer?”832

[LeaderandparticipantsreadtheThirdStep833Prayer.]834

835


! ReadingandWritingonStepThreefromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25836minutes)837

LEADER838

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepThree.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily839readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutestowrite840onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.841

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadApril29fromForTodayonpage120?”842


LEADER844

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember19fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage354?”845


LEADER847



LEADER850




LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



24 853



LEADER




LEADER



LEADER


854855

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepThreeSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession856

857

! Writing858

• IntheOATwelveandTwelve,readfrompage24,startingwith“Inexperiencedinthis859wayofliving,…”through“…spiritualprinciplesinlearningourHigherPower’swill860forus”onpage26.HowdoIknowwhatismyHigherPower’swillasopposedtomy861self-will?862

• WhatevidencedoIhaveofaHigherPowerworkinginmylife—caringforme863personally—orinthelivesofthosearoundme?864

• IntheBigBook25,onpage62readfrom“Selfishness—self-centeredness!...”through865“…wepassedtofreedom.”Whatistherootofourtroubles?Whathappenswhen866wetrytoplayGod?867

! Action868

• MemorizetheThirdStepPrayeronpagetbdofthisguideorpage63oftheBigBook.869Reciteitdaily.870

• IntheBigBook,readpage60beginningwith“Thefirstrequirement…”through“…871confusionratherthanharmony?”onpage61.Now,let’sreadthispassagealoudto872ourselves,substituting“I”for“he.”Forexample,Iamlikeanactor…ifonlypeople873woulddoasIwish.874

• Readanddiscussthesamepassagewithasponsorandanothermemberofthis875workshop.Whatdoweconclude?876

• “Oncewecompulsiveovereaterstrulytakethethirdstep,wecannotfailtorecover”877(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.27).Reflecton878thispromise.879



! ReadingAssignmentsforStepFour:SessionOneofThree26880

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepFour(pp.29-44)881

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepFour(pp.42-54)882

• BigBook27,chapter5,“HowItWorks”(pp.63-71,startingwith“Nextwe883launched…”) 884

885



StepFour:SessionOneofThree886

Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.887


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


888! Summary(5minutes)889

LEADER890

“TosummarizeourworkonStepThree,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepThreefromthe891OATwelveandTwelve”(p.27).892

LEADERREADS893

“Oncewecompulsiveovereaterstrulytakethethirdstep,wecannotfailto894recover.Asweliveoutourdecisiondaybyday,ourHigherPowerguidesus895throughtheremainingninesteps.Whenwefalter,weareremindedofour896commitmenttolivebyGod’swillalone,andwetrustthatthewillingnessand897abilitywillcomeifweonlyaskforthem.Whenwegetofftrack,ourHigher898Powerwillguideusback,aslongaswearesincerelytryingtoknowanddo899God’swill.Wecanconfidentlyfaceanysituationlifebrings,becauseweno900longerhavetofaceitalone.Wehavewhatweneedanytimewearewillingto901letgoofself-willandhumblyaskforhelp.”902

LEADER903

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepThree?HaveIsincerelyturnedmywillandmy904lifeovertothecareofmyHigherPower—asIunderstandHim?’Ifnot,pleaseshareabout905thiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”906

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFour(25minutes)907

LEADER908

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepFour:‘Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventory909ofourselves.’910

“Thereareasmanywaystomakeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryasthereare911membersinOA.Inthisworkshop,wewillteachonespecificmethodsothatwecanall912completeStepFourinashortamountoftimeandmoveonthroughtheremainingSteps.913


LEADER



“Inthis,thefirstofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilldiscussthepurposeofthe914Stepandhowtousetheworksheetsdesignedtoguideusthroughtheinventory.During915thissessionwewillfocusontheResentmentsandStrengthsWorksheets.Duringthenext916twosessions,wewillcoverotherinventoryworksheets.Homeworkbetweensessionswill917betocompletetheinventoryworksheetswe’vediscussed.Becauseweneedtimetopresent918anddiscusshowtousethisinventorymethod,Iwillfrequentlyusethetimer,andthe919formatofthesethreesessionswillbedifferentfromthatofothersessions.920

“Wewillnowbeginbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.921

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothetopofpage30.We’lltaketurnsreadingone922paragraphatatime,beginningwith‘Theself-analysiswedoinstepfour…’through‘…923faithfullyuntilitiscompleted’onpage32.Whowouldliketobegin?”924


LEADER926

“WhatmightkeepmefrombeginningmyFourthStepInventory?927

“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas928manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”929


LEADER931

“PleaseopentheBigBook28tothebottomofpage63.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe932passage,beginningwith‘Nextwelaunched…’through‘Wewere“burnedup”’onpage65?”933


LEADER935

“Weaskourselves,‘InwhatwayswillIbenefitbyconductingapersonalinventory?’936



LEADER940

“Tocloseourreadinganddiscussionsection,pleaseturntopage66intheBigBook.MayI941haveavolunteertoreadtwoparagraphs,beginningwith‘Itisplain…’through‘These942thingsarepoison’?”943



! GeneralGuidelinesforCompletingtheFourthStepInventory(10minutes)945

LEADER946

“HerearetheGeneralInventoryGuidelinesaswellastheResentmentsWorksheet947Guidelines,theResentmentsWorksheet,theResentmentsWorksheetExamples,andthe948StepFourGlossary.TherearetwocopiesoftheResentmentsWorksheet—oneforpractice949inthissessionandoneforhomework.”950

[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]951

LEADER952

“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheGeneralInventoryGuidelines.Pleasereadafew953paragraphs.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”954


LEADER956

“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewill:957

• ReadtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.958

• LookatafewexamplesofhowtousetheResentmentsWorksheet.959

• PracticecompletingtheResentmentsWorksheet.960

• ReadtheguidelinesforcompletingtheStrengthsWorksheet.961

• LookatafewexamplesusingtheStrengthsWorksheet.”962


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



! HomeworkAssignments(60minutes)963

LEADER964

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.Ourhomeworkforthenextsessionisto965completetheResentmentsandStrengthsWorksheetsasthefirstpartofourFourthStep966Inventory.Toprepareforthishomework,wewillnowreviewtheworksheets,see967examples,andpracticecompletingthem.968

“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.Pleasereadafew969sectionseach.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”970

[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]971

LEADER972

“Nowwe’lltakefifteenminutestoreviewtheResentmentsWorksheetandthe973ResentmentsWorksheetExamplescolumnbycolumn.Toprovideavarietyoflife974situations,severalOAmemberscontributedtheresentmentsexamples.Theydonot975representoneperson’sinventory.”976

[Leadersetsthetimerforfifteenminutestoreview977theworksheets.]978

LEADER979

“Incolumnonewelistthepeople,institutions,andprinciplesweresent.MayIhavea980volunteertoreadthedefinitionof‘resentment’anditssynonymsfromtheGlossary?”981

[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]982

LEADER983

“Arethereanyquestionsoranythingtodiscussaboutwhataresentmentisandwhoor984whatwemightresent?985

“Afterlistingeveryoneandeverythingweresentincolumnone,incolumntwowewritea986briefdescriptionoftheresentment—whatitisthatweresentabouttheperson,institution,987orprinciple.Aftercompletingallofcolumntwo,weworkoncolumnthree.Working988verticallydowncolumnthree,wecheckoneormoreoftheaspectsofselfthatthesituation989threatened.Willsomeonereadthedefinitionofoneofthoseaspectsofselffromthe990Glossary?”991


LEADER993

“Wecanreadtheotherdefinitionslateronourown.Aswecompletecolumnthree,review994thesuggestionsintheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.Arethereanyquestionsor995anythingtodiscussaboutcolumnstwoorthree?996

“Aftercompletingallofcolumnthree,weworkoncolumnfourfromtoptobottom.In997columnfourwebrieflyexamineanddescribeourpart,ifany,increating,contributingto,or998sustainingthissituation.Aftercompletingcolumnfour,webeginoncolumnfive.Incolumn999five,weselectoneormoreofthecharactertraitsthatmayhavetriggeredourresentment1000andcirclethemostimportantone.Asweworkfromtoptobottomincolumnfive,our1001patternsmaybegintoappear.Willsomeonepleasereadthedefinitionofoneofthese1002charactertraitsfromtheGlossary?”1003


LEADER1005

“Wouldanyoneliketohearanotherdefinitionread?Arethereanyquestionsoranythingto1006discussaboutcolumnsfourorfive?1007

“Nowwe’lllookatexamplesofhowthisworksheetisused.MayIhaveavolunteertoread1008oneortwooftheexamplesintheResentmentsWorksheetExamples?Pleasereadacross1009therowsowecanseehowtheworksheetwascompletedforeachone.1010

[VolunteerreadsexamplesfromtheGlossary.]1011

LEADER1012

“BeforewemoveontopracticingwiththeResentmentsWorksheet,we’lltakefiveminutes1013toansweranyquestionsordiscussanythingwehavecoveredsofar—theGeneral1014InventoryGuidelines,theResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines,ortheResentments1015WorksheetExamples.”1016


LEADER1018

“TakeoneoftheResentmentsWorksheetsandchooseoneresentmentthatyouarewilling1019totalkaboutintheworkshoptouseaspractice.Inthenexttenminutes,completethe1020ResentmentsWorksheetforthatoneitem.ReviewtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines1021andExamplesandlookupdefinitionsandsynonymsintheGlossaryasneeded.”1022


LEADER1024

“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshopandforthenextfiveminutessharehowyou1025completedtheworksheet.”1026


LEADER1028

“Nowthatwehavebrieflyusedtheworksheet,let’stakefiveminutestodiscussany1029questionswehaveaboutthisworksheetortheprocessingeneral.”1030


LEADER1032

“Onpage33,theOATwelveandTwelvesays:‘Itiseasierformostofustoproceedwithstep1033fourifwetaketimetoacknowledgeourassetsinadditiontoourshortcomings.Nomatter1034howmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportant1035thatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess.’1036

“Pleasereviewwithasponsororpartnerinrecoverywhenthebesttimewouldbeto1037completetheStrengthsInventory—asthefirstactiontotake,betweenotherinventories,or1038attheendoftheprocess.WewillnowpassouttheStrengthsWorksheet,Strengths1039WorksheetExamples,andStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines.”1040


LEADER1042

“NowwewillreviewtheStrengthsWorksheetandlookatsomeexamplesofhowtofillit1043out.WewilltaketurnsreadingtheStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines.Afteronesectionor1044paragraphisread,thenextpersonwillcontinue.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”1045


LEADER1047

“Nowwe’lllookatexamplesofhowtousetheStrengthsWorksheet.MayIhaveavolunteer1048toreadoneortwooftheexamples,readingacrosstherowsowecanseehowthe1049worksheetwascompletedforeachone?”1050

[Volunteerreadsexamples.]1051

LEADER1052

“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutestoansweranyquestionsordiscussanything1053wehavecoveredabouttheStrengthsInventory—theStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines,the1054examples,ortheworksheetitself.”1055


29 1057


1058

LEADER1059

“Before our next session, complete the Resentments Worksheet and the Strengths1060Worksheet.1061

1062

1063

1064

1065

1066


LEADER



! HomeworkAssignments

Remembertopray,talkwithasponsor,makeoutreachcalls,attendmeetings,andgenerallysupportyourprogramduringthisprocess.Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethem,andthen,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Keepmovingforward!”

GeneralInventoryGuidelines1067

FollowtheseguidelinesaswecompletetheStepFourInventoryworksheets.1068

Begin1069BeginrightaftertakingStepThreeandcompletingtheStepFourreadings.Readthe1070passageonpage63oftheBigBook30,beginningwith“Nextwelaunched…”through“…1071hadbeenblockingus”atthetopofpage64.1072

Copytheworksheets1073Makecopiesoftheworksheetsprovidedbeforebeginningtoworkoneachone:1074Resentments,Strengths,Fears,SexConduct,Harms(GuiltandRemorse),OtherProblem1075Areas,andOldBeliefs.Makemorethanonecopy.1076

Setasidetime1077Setasidetimetoworkontheinventory.Manyofusfoundthatsettingasidethirty1078minutesoranhourinthemorningonadailybasiskeptusmovingforward.Some1079suggestednotworkingatnight,justbeforebedtime,becausetheirmindscouldn’tstop1080revisitingthepastandtheycouldn’tgotosleep.Othersfocusedtheireffortsand1081completedtheinventoryinoneweekend.1082

Choosesomeplaceprivate1083Chooseaprivateplacetowritewherewewon’tbeinterrupted,ifpossible.1084

Pray/Meditate1085Beforebeginningeachsession,weaskourHigherPowertogiveusthehonesty,open-1086mindedness,andwillingnesstoseeourselvesclearly.1087

UsetheGlossary1088ReviewtheworksheetsandusetheGlossarynotonlyfordefinitionsofthetermsused1089intheworksheetsbutalsoforsynonyms.1090

Readtheworksheetguidelines1091Beforebeginningeachworksheet,readtheindividualworksheetguidelines(for1092example,ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines)andtherelevantworksheetexamples.1093

Workvertically1094Completeeachworksheetvertically,movingfromlefttoright:Completeallofcolumn1095onebeforemovingontocolumntwo,completecolumntwobeforemovingtocolumn1096three,andsoon.Forexample,ontheResentmentsWorksheetlistpeople,institutions,1097andprinciplesweresent.Afterthelistiscomplete,moveontothesecondcolumnand,1098infourorfivewords,describewhyweresenteachone.1099


Keepmoving1100Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,humblyaskour1101HigherPowertoremovethem.Then,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Ours1102isaprogramofaction.Ifweareunsurehowtocompleteonecolumnor,forexample,1103whichtriggertocheck,leaveitblankfornow.Talkwithasponsororaskforhelpduring1104theFifthStep.Goontothenextitem.1105

Bethorough1106StepFoursayswetooka“searchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves,”which1107includes“takeittomygrave”issues.Listeverything.Itistheonlywaytotakean1108effectiveinventory.Ourrecoverydependsonit.Aswecompleteeachworksheet,we1109mayfindithelpfultoreviewtherelevantsectionoftheStepFourquestionsintheOA1110TwelveandTwelvetojogourmemory.1111

Lookforpatterns1112Afterwecompleteeachworksheetorwhenwecompletethemall,wemayfindit1113illuminatingtoreviewthemandlookforpatterns.Didwefrequentlyfeellikeavictim?1114Didweoftenfeelinsulted?Wereweoftenfearful?Didpeoplefrequentlyfailtomeetour1115expectations?Therearemanypossiblepatterns.1116

Pray/Meditate1117CloseeachsessionwithaprayerthankingourHigherPowerforsupport,courage,1118honesty,andinsight.1119

WhengoingthroughStepFour,beashonestaspossiblebutdon’twastetimediggingfor1120problems.Ourmindandheartwilltelluswhatweneedtodealwith.Intime,morewillbe1121revealedasneeded.Mostpeoplebeginwiththeirresentments.SomeworkontheStrengths1122Worksheetfirstorbetweentheotherworksheets.1123

However,anyresentmentorguiltknowinglyomittedislikecoveringaninfectedsorewith1124abandageandhopingitwillhealbyitself.Usuallyasore,particularlyanoldandinfected1125one,needstobecleanedbeforeitheals.TheFourththroughNinthStepsarethecleaning1126andhealingprocess.1127

Beginhere,notasanopportunitytoblameourselves,butasanopportunitytolearnmore1128aboutourselves,abouthowwelearnedtohandlelife.Knowingourselvesisthefirststepto1129growthbychoosingnewpatternsandallowingourHigherPowertheopportunitytoguide1130usintoamorefulfillingandenjoyablelife.1131

Remindourselveswhywearedoingthisinventorybyreadingthefollowingpassagefrom1132theOATwelveandTwelve,(pp.29-30).1133

“Thoseofuswhohavecompletedstepfourhavefoundthattakingthis1134searchingandfearlessmoralinventorywasoneofthemostlovingthingswe1135everdidforourselves.Aswetookanhonestlookatthepast,atwhowe’d1136beenandwhatwe’ddone,webegantounderstandourselvesbetter.That1137understandingwasthebeginningofemotionalhealing.Manyofushadlived1138ourlivesuptothispointwithasecretfeelingofshame.Wecarrieddeepin1139ourheartsthefeelingthatwewereworthlessorinsignificant.Oftenthis1140shamestemmedfromunresolvedguiltovermistakeswe’dneverfullydealt1141with.Wehadneverfacedourwrongshonestlyandacknowledgedthem,so1142wewereleftfeelingashamed.Writingourstep-fourinventoryenabledusto1143begincleaningupthemessesofthepastsowecouldstartlifeover,afresh.”1144

1145

1146

ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines1147

ColumnOne1148

Listallpeople,institutions,andprinciplesweresent:1149

Peoplesuchasspouses,significantothers,family,andfriendsoftencometomindfirst.1150Wealsoincludeourselves.1151

Institutionssuchaschurches,government,races,nationalities,authorities,1152correctionalsystems,educationsystems,andsoon1153

Principlessuchasaffirmativeaction,speedlimits,etiquetterules,sin,heaven,hell,and1154soon1155

Althoughwewanttoincludeeveryoneandeverythingweresent,forthepurposesof1156thisworkshop,wemaywanttocompletetheremainingcolumnsforonlythetoptenor1157twentythatkeepusawakeatnightorfillourthoughtsduringtheday.1158

ColumnTwo1159

Describe,briefly,whyweresenteachone.1160

Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceofthesituationandmoveontothenextone.1161Donotletourmindwastetimebydivingintothepastatlength,replayingallthepainful1162details,andsinkingintothemireofthefeelings.1163

ColumnThree1164

Whichaspectsofself,suchasprideorsecurity,arethreatenedbytheresentment?1165

Indicateoneormorewithacheckmark.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifwe1166checkmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforce.Circlingone,oreventwo1167onoccasion,doesnotmeanthattheothersareunimportant.1168

Aswethinkabouteachaspectofselfinrelationtoaparticularincident,thequestions1169belowmaybehelpful.UsetheGlossaryasneeded.1170

Ambition1171

IsthissituationorpersonblockingmefromgettingwhatIwantorneed?1172

DoIfearlosingsomethingIalreadyhave?1173

Pride1174

DoIfeelinsulted?DoIfeeltheotherpersondoesn’trecognizehowimportantIam?1175

Doesthissituationorpersonaffectmysenseofmystatusintheworld?1176

AmIafraidofwhatotherpeoplewillthinkofme?1177

Doesthissituationorpersoncriticizemeinanyway?1178

IsthispersonnotbeingusefultomeinawayIthinksheorheshould?1179

Relationships1180

Doesthissituationorpersonactuallyorpotentiallyhurtmyrelationshipswith1181anotherperson,myself,ormyHigherPower?1182

Security1183

Doesthissituationorpersonaffectmyfinancial,emotional,orphysicalsecurity?1184

DoIfeelunsafe?1185

DoIfeelaloneordisconnectedfromothers?1186

DoIfeeluncaredfor?1187

Self-Esteem1188

DoIfeelundervaluedinthissituationorbythisperson?1189

DoIfeelinvisibleorunheard?1190

Aftercompletingthefirstthreecolumns,turntotheBigBook.31.Itsuggeststhatwestop1191andconsiderourworksofar.Readtheparagraphonpage66beginning“Weturnedback…1192”1193

So,whatdowedowiththesefeelings?ReadtheparagraphintheBigBookstartingonpage119466thatrecommendsprayingfortolerance,pity,andpatience,beginningwith“Thiswasour1195course….”1196

Wethenreturntoourinventory.1197

ColumnFour1198

Brieflydescribeourroleineachscenario.HowdidIcauseaproblemormakethe1199situationworse?1200

Putasidethoughtsofwhatthispersondidorwhatthatsituationcaused.Askwhere1201haveIbeenselfish,dishonest,self-seeking,andfrightened.Evenifaneventisn’tentirely1202myfault,wherewasItoblame?1203


Weaskourselveswhatwedidorsaidtomakeothersretaliateagainstus,orhowwe1204treatedthembadlyinthepast.Insomecases,thiscolumnisleftblank(beingabusedor1205molestedasachildisoneexample).Ifindoubt,leaveitblankanddiscusswitha1206sponsor.1207

ColumnFive1208

Whichcharacterdefectsorthoughtstriggeredourreactiontoeachsituation?1209

Indicateoneormorewithacheckmark.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifwe1210checkmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforce.Circlingone,oreventwo,1211doesnotmeantheothersareunimportant.Ifnoneofthetriggerslistedfitsthe1212situation,writetheappropriatewordinthe“other”column.1213

Asanexampleofcompletingthissection,Imightwrite:1214

Iwasangrywithmymotherbecauseshemadeaderogatoryremarkaboutfatpeople—1215notdirectedatme,butinmypresence—andmyfeelingswerehurt.Iwas100pounds1216(45kg)overweight,andIthoughtsheshouldhavebeenmoresensitivetome.Whatwas1217mycharacterdefect?Itturnedouttobemorethanone:1218

• Myexpectationthatsheshouldbehavedifferently(myrulesaboutappropriate1219behaviorandmylackofacceptancethatshewasself-centeredtoo)1220

• Myownlowself-esteemaboutmyweight1221• Myself-centeredthinkingthateverythingisaboutme1222• Myfearthatifshedoesn’tlikefatpeopleshecan’tloveme.Ifmyownmother1223

can’tloveoracceptmebecauseI’mfat,whocan?Imustbeunworthy.1224

WhenIwasgrowingup,Iacceptedheropinionoffatpeopleandfeltunworthyand1225unacceptablewhenIwasoverweight.Ifaskedthen,IwouldhavecircledFearandLow1226Self-Esteemincolumnfive.Asanadultinprogram,Iwasstunnedbyherinsensitivity,1227soIcheckedthosebutcircledExpectations.1228

Remember,theothercharacterdefectsareimportantandwillnotbeignored.However,1229Iwaslookingforpatternsinthepresentandmyexpectationsofhowotherpeople1230shouldbehaveoftendisruptedmyserenity,tosaytheleast.Lookingahead,allthose1231characterdefectsendeduponmylistforStepsSixandSeven.TodayallIhadtodowas1232completeStepFour.1233

Whatifwecan’tidentifyourpartandleavecolumnfourblank?Incolumnfivewemight1234listfeelingsofbeingavictiminthe“other”column.Considerhowthosefeelingsmight1235beaffectingourreactionstolifeandpeoplenow.1236

Regardlessofwhathappenedtousbeforeandhowresentfulwefeel,weareadultsnow1237andresponsibleforouractions.Wedon’thavetoletthepastdetermineourfuture.Healing1238ispossible.1239

1240

ResentmentWorksheetExamples“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).

1 2 3 4 5 People,

institutions,principlesIresent: Why?

Whataspectofselfishurtorthreatened?

Whatismypartincreatingthissituation?

Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmyreaction?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

Eleanor CamelatetomyMother’smemorialservice.

+ Wantedeverythingtobeperfect.

+ +

TaxCollectors

Theirrulesareunfair.

+ + Iliedinordertosavemoneybysayingmyvitaminsweremedicines.

+ + +

Mymother MademefeelunacceptablewhenIwasn’tthin.

+ + + + + Wasoverweight. + + +

Myboss Laidmeoff. + + + + + Didn’tfollowhisdirectionbecauseIknewabetterway.

+ + Arrogance

Waitress Tooktoolongtobringthefood.

+ + + WantthingswhenIwantthem.

+ + Impatient;senseofentitle-ment

Uncle MolestedmewhenIwasayounggirl.

+ + + + None + + Havefeltlikeavictimeversince.

ResentmentWorksheet“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).

1 2 3 4 5 People,





Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

StepFourGlossary1246

Term Definition SynonymsAmbition eagerorstrongdesiretoachieve

something;goals,plans,designsforthefuture

zeal,longing,appetite,craving,drive,initiative,yearning,desire

Anxiety uneaseanddistressaboutfuturepossibilities

fearfulness,worry,excessiveconcern,fretting

Arrogance offensivedisplayofsuperiorityorself-importance;overbearingpride;contemptordisregardforothers

haughtiness,snobbery,insolence,disdain,conceit

Belief somethingacceptedastrue stronglyheldopinionorview(thetruth)abouthowself,others,andtheworldare;alwayshappens:“JustwhatIexpected”;couldbeseenasapatternoralabel

Characterdefect “exactnatureofourwrongs”:waysofhandlinglifethatinterferewithourhappiness,goodrelationswithothers,andconsciouscontactwithourHigherPower

shortcoming,deficiency,flaw,fault,charactertrait

Conceit overdevelopedopinionofone’sabilities,personality,orworth

vanity,egotism,self-importance,arrogance,pride,swellheadedness,selfishness,boastfulness

Control(excessive) goingtoextremestoinfluenceordominatepeopleorsituations

tryingtomakethingsturnoutMYway;manipulative,domineering

Criticize tojudgeharshly totakesomeoneelse’sinventory;blame,condemn,disparage,findfault,knock,nag,nitpick,trash,takedown,bash,carp,denounce

Discourteous behaviorthatisill-manneredorimpolite.

crude,disrespectful

Dishonesty adispositiontocheat,steal,deceive,orliebycommissionoromission

lying,lackofintegrity,evasiveness,cheating,fraud,stealing,unscrupulousness,livingindenial;notspeakingmytruthordoingwhatisbestforme;notsettingboundaries

Doormat toallowmistreatmentofoneselfbyothers

passive,compliant,wishy-washy,afraidtospeakup

Term Definition SynonymsEnvy resentfuldesireforanother’s

possessionsoradvantagescovetousness,jealousy

Expectations personalrulesabouthowoneandothersshouldbehave,howtheworldshouldwork,orhowthingsshouldbedone

rule,standard;normalwayforpoliteorconsideratepeopletobehave;believeotherpeoplewillknowwhatIamthinkingwithouttellingthem

Falsepride feelingoneisentitledtothingsnotearned;feelinganeedtostandoutorbeaboveothers;cravingattentionandnotoriety;feelingbetterthanorlessthanothers

denial,phoniness

Fear alarmandanxietycausedbytheexpectationorrealizationofdanger—realorimagined—suchas,fearofharm,losingsomethingyouhave,notgettingwhatyouwant,snakes,heights,publicspeaking,success,failure,andsoon

alarm,dread,terror,dismay,cowardice,anxiety,apprehension,distrust,uncertainty,phobia;resentfulaboutsomethingthathasn’thappenedyet;blowingthingsoutofproportion

Gossip habitualrepetitionofintimateorprivateandoftensensationalrumorsorfacts

defamation,grapevine,malicioustalk,meddling,scuttlebutt,whisperingcampaign,hearsay,tellingsecrets

Greed overwhelmingdesirestoacquireorhave,suchaswealthorpower,inexcessofwhatonerequiresordeserves

avarice,lust,gluttony,voraciousappetite,alwayswantingmore,chronicdissatisfaction

Grudge reluctancetoadmitorgiveuparesentment

bitterresentment;wantingrevengeorfeelingvindictive

Guilt remorsefulawarenessofhavingdonesomethingwrongorhavingfailedtodosomethingrequiredorexpected

self-condemnation,remorse

Harm physicaloremotionaldamage damage,injure,insult,wound,embarrass,debase,hurt,causealoss,bruise,kill,scar

Hate tofeelgreatanimosityordislike despise,loathe

Impatience inabilitytowaitpatientlyortoleratedelay;inabilitytoendureoppositionorirritation

restlessness,intolerance

Inconsiderate nottakingtheneedsandfeelingsofothersintoaccount;seealsoself-centeredness

thoughtless;notseeingsituationsfromanother’sperspective;notconsideringasituationmaynotbeaboutme

Term Definition SynonymsInsincerity toputupafalseappearance hypocrisy,deceitfulness,

phoniness,artificiality,pretense,falseness

Intolerant unwillingnessorrefusaltotolerateorrespectdifferencesinopinionsorinbeliefsorpersonsofdifferentraces,religions,backgrounds,orothercharacteristics;impatientwithannoyances

bigoted,prejudiced,biased,narrow-minded,opinionated

Jealous fearfulorwaryofbeingreplacedbyarival,especiallyinregardtoanother'saffections

green-eyedmonster,envious,distrustful,suspicious

Laziness resistanttoworkorexertion;avoidingorshirkingwork

sloth,shiftless,idle

Lowself-esteem lackofacceptance,approval,andrespecttowardoneself,manifestedbypersonalnonrecognitionofone’sabilitiesandachievementsandlackofacknowledgementandacceptanceofone’slimitations

insecurity,underappreciation,underrated,undervalued,self-deprecation,worthless

Moral concernedwiththeprinciplesofrightandwrongbehaviorandthegoodnessorbadnessofhumancharacter

ethical,virtuous

Negativeattitude tendencytotakethemostunfavorableviewofmostsituations

chiponone’sshoulder;expectingtheworst;defeatism,gloomyoutlook,negativethinking,pessimism,cynicism

Over-sensitive undulysensitive;feelingseasilyhurt touchy,thin-skinned,fragile

Perfectionism tendencytosetoverlyhighstandards;usingone’sownideaoftherightwaytodothings,andbeingdispleasedwithanythingless;maytrytoohardornotatall

intolerance,nitpicking,hairsplitting,faultfinding,pettiness,quibbling;needtodoeverythingright;givingup

Pride whatIthinkothersthinkofme;aninflatedsenseofone’spersonalstatus(negativeaspect);havingorshowingarrogantsuperioritytoanddisdainofotherswhooneviewsasunworthy;seefalsepride

conceit,egotistical,boastful,phony,vain

Procrastination puttingoffsomethinguntilalaterdate dawdling,takingone’ssweettime

Relationships social,business,orsexualconnectionswithotherpeople

ties,links,relations,kinship,association

Term Definition SynonymsRemorse bitterregretforpastmisdeeds feelingterriblysorryorguilty

aboutpreviouswordsoractions;regret

Resentment indignationorillwillfeltasaresultofarealorimaginedoffense;lifenotgoingasexpectedordesired

bitterness,annoyance,anger,grudge,righteousindignation,animosity,hate

Security basicdesireformoney,property,andpossessions;generalsenseofemotionalandphysicalwell-being;feelingofphysical,emotional,orfinancialsafety

protection,armor,shield

Self-esteem whatIthinkofmyself;anattitudeofacceptance,approval,andrespectforoneselfwhilerecognizingone’sabilitiesandlimitations

self-respect

Self-centeredness concernedonlywithorprimarilywithone’sowninterests,benefits,andwelfarewithoutregardforothers

selfishness,self-seeking,egocentricity;wantingotherstodothingsmyway;wantingpraisefromothers;wantingtocontrolthesituation;wantingmyneedstakencareofbeforeothers;feelingthatIknowmorethanothers

Self-pity feelingsorryforoneself;especiallyexaggeratedorself-indulgentpity

poorme,hopelessness,despair,depression,spoiled

Self-righteousness havinganexaggeratedfeelingofone’sownvirtuousnessorrights;confidentofone’sownrightness,especiallywhensmuglymoralisticandintolerantoftheopinionandbehaviorsofothers

Sanctimonious,superior,smug,holier-than-thou,preachy

Shame afeeling,belief,orperceptionthattheselfisdefective,unworthy,unacceptableorfundamentallydamaged;differentfromguilt,whichisremorseaboutaspecificbehavior,nottheentireself

unworthy,notgoodenough,self-disgust

Strengths positiveemotionalcharacteristics assets,positiveattributes,strongpoints,capabilities

Truth astatementacceptedastrueorreality currentunderstandingorviewVictim oneharmedbyanaction,acondition,

oracircumstancesufferer,prey,martyr

Worry tormentingoneselfwithdisturbingthoughts

fret,stew,feeldistressed,beoverlyconcerned

Worthlessness havingnovalue,importance,orusefulness

low,despicable,withoutmerit,insignificant

1247

StrengthsWorksheetGuidelines1248

Athoroughinventorylooksatbothwhatworksandwhatdoesn’tworktodrawanaccurate1249pictureandestablishafoundationforthefuture.TheAATwelveandTwelveincludessome1250pertinentpassages.Startingonpage42,atthebeginningoftheStepFourchapter,read1251through“…farexceedtheirproperfunctions.”Onpage44,theunderlyingcauseofour1252compulsionisattributedto“instinctrunwild.”1253

Wecan,therefore,lookatmanyofourcharactertraitsasbeingonacontinuum,suchas1254stingytoprudent,passivetoenergetic,stubborntopersistent.Inrecoveryweoftenfind1255ourstrengthinbalanceandmoderation.Onthisworksheetwelookatourassetstoday.1256

ColumnOne1257

Listourpersonalassets—whatwerecognizeandvalueasstrengths.1258

ReadthroughthePartialListofCharacterStrengthsbelowforideas.Thinkaboutwhat1259givesusjoyorwhatwehaveaccomplished.Someofushaveamuchhardertime1260acknowledgingourstrengthsthanwedoourdefects.Truehumilityishavinganaccurate1261viewofourselves—andthatincludesourstrengths.1262

PartialListofCharacterStrengths1263

ArtisticAstuteBraveCompassionateConsistentCreativeDiligentEagertolearnEnergeticEnthusiasticFairForgivingGenerousHumorous

GratefulHonestHopefulHumbleIndustriousIngeniousInsightfulIntenseKindLight-heartedLovingLoyalModestNurturing

Open-mindedOptimisticPerseverantPrudentResponsibleSelf-disciplinedSociallyadeptSociallyresponsibleSpiritualTeachableThoroughThoughtfulTrustingWise

1264

ColumnTwo1265

Brieflydescribesituationsorinstanceswhenweusedourstrengths.1266

Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceofthesituationandmoveon.Althoughwedo1267notwanttodwellinthepast,itisrefreshingtospendafewmomentshereremembering1268goodfeelings.1269

1270

StrengthsWorksheetExamples“Nomatterhowmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportantthatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.33).

1 2

Irecognizeandvalueaboutmyself: Examples:Iappreciatemyabilitytolearn. Idonothesitatetotakeonnewprojects,knowingIcanlearnwhatIneed

toknowbyresearchingoraskingpeopleforhelp.

Iworkhardandalwaystrytodoagoodjob. Iamproudofmyworkandmybossesappreciateme.

Icareaboutotherpeople. IenjoyhelpingpeoplewhenIcanandamconsideredagoodlistener.

Iamhonest. Icanbetrustedwithmoneyandhavebeentreasurerformanyorganizations.

Ilovebeautifulthingslikeartandmusic. Idelightingoingtomuseumsandconcerts.Ienjoydecoratingmyhouseandcreatingapleasantenvironment.

Iappreciatenature. Walkingalongthebeachnurturesmysoul.Ialsoloveanimals,enjoymycat,anddonatetoanimalrescueorganizations.

StrengthsWorksheet“Nomatterhowmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportantthatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.33).

1 2

Irecognizeandvalueaboutmyself: Examples:

1275

1276

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepFour:SessionOneofThreeHomework1277

1278

! Action1279

• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon’tknowhowtousethe1280worksheets.1281

• CompletetheResentmentsWorksheet.Useasmanysheetsasneeded.1282

• CompletetheStrengthsWorksheet.Useasmanysheetsasneeded.1283

1284


StepFour:SessionTwoofThree1285


1287


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


1288


LEADER1291

“Lastsessionwebeganwritingourinventoriesbylookingatourresentments.To1292summarizeourworksofar,I’llreadaparagraphonpage66fromtheBigBook32beginning1293‘Ifweweretolive….’Pleasefollowalong.”1294


LEADER1296

“Inaddition,wearemakingasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves,not1297others.TheBigBookremindsusofthisonpage67:‘Puttingoutofourmindsthewrongs1298othershaddone,weresolutelylookedforourownmistakes.’1299

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveIstartedafearlessandmoralinventoryandamIwillingto1300identifythemistakesIhavemade?HaveItrulyacknowledgedallmystrengths?’Please1301shareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—especiallyiffeelingstuckor1302confusedabouttheinventoryprocess.”1303

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFour—Fear(20minutes)1304

LEADER1305

“WewillnowcontinueourworkonStepFour:‘Madeasearchingandfearlessmoral1306inventoryofourselves.’1307

“Inthis,thesecondofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilldiscusshowtousethe1308Fears,SexConduct,andHarmsWorksheets.Homeworkduringthisweekwillbeto1309completetheseworksheets.Inthenextsession,we’llcovertheremainingworksheets.We1310willnowbeginbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.PleaseopentheOA1311TwelveandTwelvetopage37.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraphatatime,beginning1312



LEADER



with‘Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears….’through‘Haveweeverabandoneda1313personwehadaresponsibilitytohelp?’onpage38.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin1314reading?”1315


LEADER1317

“Let’sdiscussthisquestion:Howhasfearmotivatedthechoicesorbehaviorsinourlife?1318



LEADER1322

“PleaseopentheBigBook33tothebottomofpage67.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe1323passage,beginningwith‘Noticethattheword“fear”…’through‘…tomatchcalamitywith1324serenity’inthemiddleofpage68?”1325


LEADER1327

“Howhavewebeendealingwithourfears,andhowhasthatbeenworkingforus?1328


[Leadersetsthetimer]1331

LEADER1332

“Tocloseourreadinganddiscussionsectiononfear,pleaseturntopage68intheBigBook.1333MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheparagraphbeginning‘Weneverapologize…’?”1334


! InstructionsforCompletingtheFearsWorksheet(35minutes)1336

LEADER1337

“Tohelpuscompletethispartofourinventory,herearetheFearsWorksheetGuidelines,1338theFearsWorksheetExamples,andtwocopiesoftheFearsWorksheet.Wewilluseoneas1339practicenow;usetheotheroneforhomework.Makeextracopiesasneeded.”1340



LEADER1342

“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheFearsWorksheetGuidelines.Pleasereadafewsections.1343MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”1344


LEADER1346

“Nowwe’llreviewtheFearsWorksheetandtheFearsWorksheetExamplescolumnby1347column.”1348

[Leadersetstimerfortenminutestoreviewthe1349worksheets.]1350

LEADER1351

“Incolumnonewritealistofourfears.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthedefinitionoffear1352andthesynonymsintheGlossary?”1353


LEADER1355

“Arethereanyquestionsoranydiscussion?1356

“Incolumntwowriteabriefdescriptionofwhywewereafraid.Incolumnthree,checkone1357ormoreoftheareasofselfthatthesituationthreatened,suchasself-esteemor1358relationships.WillsomeonereadoneofthoseareasfromtheGlossary?”1359


LEADER1361

“Wecanreadtheotherdefinitionsatalatertime.Wemightwanttoreviewthesuggestions1362givenintheGeneralInventoryGuidelinesforcompletingcolumnthree.Isthereany1363discussionorarethereanyquestionsaboutcolumnstwoorthree?1364

“Incolumnfourbrieflyexamineanddescribeourpart,ifany,increating,contributingto,or1365sustainingthesituation.Incolumnfiveselectoneormoreofthecharactertraitsthatmay1366havetriggeredourreactionsandcirclethemostimportant.Willsomeonepleaseselectone1367ofthetraitsandreadthedefinitionandsynonymsfromtheGlossary?”1368


LEADER1370

“Wouldanyoneliketohearanotherdefinitionread?Arethereanyquestionsabout1371columnsfourorfive?1372

“ColumnsixasksustowritebrieflyaboutwhatourHigherPowerwouldhaveusbeifwe1373didn’thavethisfear.Noticethatthewordis‘be’andnot‘do’;forexample,‘bemoreloving,’1374not‘fixmyfriend’sproblem.’Arethereanyquestionsaboutcolumnsix?1375

“Nowwe’lllookatsomeexamplesofhowthisworksheetisused.MayIhaveavolunteerto1376readoneortwooftheexamplesfromtheFearsExamplesWorksheet?Pleasereadacross1377therowsowecanseehowtheworksheetwascompletedforeachone.”1378

[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1379

LEADER1380

“BeforewemoveontopracticingwiththeFearsWorksheet,we’lltakefiveminutesto1381answeranyquestionsordiscussanythingwehavecoveredsofar:theFearsWorksheet,the1382FearsWorksheetGuidelines,ortheExamples.”1383


LEADER1385

“TakeoneoftheFearsWorksheetsandchooseoneofthefearsthatyouarewillingtotalk1386aboutintheworkshop.Inthenexttenminutes,completetheFearsWorksheetforthatone1387item.ReviewtheFearsWorksheet,FearsWorksheetGuidelines,andFearsWorksheet1388Examples,andlookupdefinitionsandsynonymsintheGlossaryasneeded.”1389


LEADER1391

“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshopandforthenextfiveminutessharehowyou1392completedtheworksheet.” [Leadersetsthetimer.]1393

LEADER1394

“Nowthatwehavebrieflyusedtheworksheet,let’stakefiveminutestoanswerany1395questionsaboutthisworksheetortheFearsInventoryprocessingeneral.”1396


LEADER1398

“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewillworkontheSexConductandHarms1399(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet.”1400

1401

1402

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofSexConductWorksheet(15minutes)1403

LEADER1404

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.WehavereadintheBigBook34aboutthe1405importanceofbeingrigorouslyhonestifwewishtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.Sofar,1406wehavemadeaverygoodstartbylookingatourresentmentsandourstrengths,andwe1407havebeguntolookatourfears.1408

“Nowwewilllookatourpastsexconductandatwrongswe’vedonetoothers,whichcause1409ustocarrytheheavyburdensofguiltandremorse.Let’sbeginbyreadingfromourtexts1410anddiscussingwhatweread.PleaseopentheBigBooktopage68.MayIhaveavolunteer1411tobeginreading,beginningwith‘Nowaboutsex….’through‘…nortobedespisedand1412loathed’nearthebottomofpage69?”1413


LEADER1415

1416



LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



1417

“Howdoesexaminingourpastsexconducthelpustoworktowardasaneidealforthe1418future?1419

“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1420manyofusaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1421


LEADER1423

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage40.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraph1424atatime,beginningwith‘Howaboutlust?...’through‘…riskofphysicalintimacy?’onpage142541.Whowouldliketobegin?”1426


LEADER1428

“HowdothereadingshelpusbroadenourideasofwhatwecanincludeinourSexConduct1429Inventory?1430

“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1431manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1432


! InstructionsforCompletingtheSexConductWorksheet(10minutes)1434

LEADER1435

“HerearetheSexConductWorksheetGuidelines,theSexConductWorksheet,andtheSex1436ConductWorksheetExamples.”1437


“Wewilltaketurnsreadingtheguidelines.Pleasereadafewsections.MayIhavea1439volunteertobegin?”1440


LEADER1442

“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutes,ifneeded,toansweranyquestionsordiscuss1443anythingwehavecoveredabouttheSexConductInventory—theSexConductWorksheet1444Guidelines,theexamples,ortheworksheetitself.”1445


! InstructionsforCompletingtheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet(101447minutes)1448

LEADER1449

“Mostofuscanprobablyrecallincidentsfromthepastthatstillmakeuscringewith1450embarrassment,guilt,orremorse.Perhaps,withoutintendingto,wehavehurtothersand1451thendonenothingtocorrectthesituationortomakeamends.Perhapswethoughtwe1452couldturnourbacksontheseincidents,thattheywouldsomehowevaporateintothinair1453withoutourhavingtodoorsayanything.Butthesearetheveryproblemsthatcanfester1454withinus,makingusfeelbadaboutourselvesandleadingusbacktothefood.Thispartof1455ourinventorygivesusachancetofacetheseissues,tobringthemintothelightofour1456consciousness,andtoexamineourbehaviorwithouttryingtohide,deny,orignoreit.1457

“HerearetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)materials—theguidelines,theworksheet,and1458theworksheetexamples.”1459


LEADER1461

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines?”1462

[Volunteerreadstheguidelines.]1463

LEADER1464

“PleasetakethreeminutestolookattheHarmsWorksheetandtheHarmsWorksheet1465Examples.”1466


LEADER1468

“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutestoansweranyquestionsordiscussanything1469wehavecoveredabouttheHarmsInventory—theHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet1470Guidelines,theexamples,ortheworksheetitself.”1471


1473

1474

1475

1476

1477

1478

1479

1480

LEADER1481

Beforeournextsession,completetheFears,SexConduct,andHarmsWorksheets.1482

1483

1484


LEADER





FearsWorksheetGuidelines1485

ColumnOne1486

Listallourfears.1487

It’slikelythatwewillincludemanyofthesamepeoplefromourresentmentslistonthis1488fearslist.1489

Forexample,wemightbeangryatourspouse(resentful),butalsoafraid—afraidthatheor1490shemightleaveusbecauseofourweight.Somepeopleincludereligiousinstitutions,1491governmentagencies,ortaxcollectors.Anotherpersonmightfearhisorherboss.Other1492fearsmightbefearofdying,insanity,heights,publicspeaking,hospitals,feelings,getting1493old,violence,gangs,guns,change,failure,success,losingalovedone,sex,loneliness,1494creditors,men,women,poverty,otherraces,theunknown,abandonment,disapproval,1495confrontation,rejection,andsoon.1496

ColumnTwo1497

Describebrieflywhyweareafraid.Chooseafewwordstodescribewhatwefearwill1498happenorwon’thappen.1499

ColumnThree1500

Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfthatarethreatened.1501

Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceinthisinstance.Circling1502one,oreventwo,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelookingforgeneral1503patterns.1504

ColumnFour1505

Brieflydescribeourpart.1506

Intheexampleaboutfearoflosingahome,thepersonadmittedtobuyingahouseheorshe1507couldn’tafford.1508

ColumnFive1509

Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggeredouractionorreaction?1510

Inthedecisiontobuyanunaffordablehouse,theactionmighthavebeentriggeredbylow1511self-esteem(feelinglikewehavetoliveinabighousetobeworthwhile),orgreed/envy1512(alwayswantingmore),orunrealisticexpectationsaboutfutureprospects.Wemay1513identifymorethanonetrigger,butoneortwomaybemoreimportantasthedrivingforce1514inthissituation.Thislistofcharactertraits/defectswillbeusedinStepsSixandSeven.1515

ColumnSix1516

WhatwouldmyHigherPowerhavemebe?1517

Aspartoftheinventoryprocessonfear,theBigBook35hasasuggestion.Readthe1518paragraphonpage68beginning“Weneverapologizetoanyone….”Wedon’tneedtowait1519forStepsFivethroughSeventobegin.1520

Incolumnsix,afterfollowingthesuggestionsfromtheBigBook,writewhatwebelieveour1521HigherPowerwouldhaveusbe.1522

1523


FearsWorksheetExamples“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).

1 2 3 4 5 6

WhoorwhatamI

afraidof? Why?Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?

Whatismypartincreatingor

maintainingthissituation?

Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmy

action/reaction?WhatwouldmyHigherPowerhavemebe?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Gainingweight

Wouldfeelandlookterrible,beembarrassed.

+ + + + Notworkingtheprogram.

Self-centeredness,dishonesty

Faithfulinmypracticeoftheprogramandlessconcernedwithmyappearance.

Men Wasraped. + None. NowIfeellikeavictim.

Reasonablyvigilant

Losingmyhouse

Can’tpaythemortgage.

+ + + + + IboughtahouseIcan’tafford.

Lowself-esteem AwaremyvaluedoesnotdependonwhatIown;moreprudentandrealisticinhandlingmyfinances.

Losingmyjob

Poorreviewwithdeadlinetoimprove.

+ + + + + Notgettingworkdone.Takingtoolong.

Procrastination,perfectionism,sloth

Diligentinmyworkwithoutlettingprocrastinationorperfectionisminterfere.

Husbandcan’tfindwork—hasbeenlooking.for18months

He’sdepressed.I’mworking50hours/week.

+ + + + + Notsure. Financialinsecurity

TrustingGodasmysourcewhiledoingwhatIcandoandcaringformyselfandmyhusband.

Losingmyboyfriend

Hefeelsdistant,oftenangry

+ + + Ifrequentlynagandcomplain.

Controlling,self-centered

Grateful,supportive,andcaringformyboyfriendinwordsandactions.Lesscontrolling.TrustingGod,ratherthanoneperson,asthesourceofmylove.

FearsWorksheet“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).

1 2 3 4 5 6

WhoorwhatamIafraidof? Why?

Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?

Whatismypartincreatingor

maintainingthissituation?

Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggers

myaction?WhatwouldHigherPower

havemebe?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

SexConductWorksheetGuidelines1528

OAisnotanarbiterofsexconduct.Standardsofbehaviorvarysignificantlyfromcountryto1529countryandculturetoculture.ApassageintheBigBook36describeshowhumanopinions1530canruntoextremes:“Oneschoolwouldallowmannoflavorforhisfareandtheother1531wouldhaveusallonastraightpepperdiet”(p.69).Weareaskedtoreviewoursex1532conduct,toseewherewehavebeenselfish,dishonest,orinconsiderateandtolistwhom1533wehaveharmed.Onpages40and41,theOATwelveandTwelveasksushowwehave1534misusedoursexualdrives.1535

ColumnOne1536Listeveryonewehavehurt.1537

Hurtisabroadavenue.Inadditiontotheobviousreasonforsex,sexhasbeenusedto,for1538example:1539

• Bolsterself-esteemthroughconquestorhavingadesirablemate.1540• Securematerialpossessions.1541• Punishsomeoneforherorhisinfidelities.1542• Demonstratepoweroversomeone.1543

Otherharmsmightinclude:1544

• Cheatingonoursignificantother,evenifwethinkheorshedoesn’tknow.1545• Withholdingsex.TheOATwelveandTwelve(p.41)mentionsthatcompulsive1546

overeatinghasleftmanyofusuninterestedinsex.Inthosecases,havewebeen1547inconsiderateofourpartners?Haveweusedwithholdingofsexaspunishment?1548

ColumnTwo1549Foreachpersononthelist,indicatewithacheckmarkifwewereselfish,dishonest,or1550inconsiderate.1551

Ifwecheckmorethanonecharacterdefect,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthis1552instance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenot1553important.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.1554

ColumnThree1555Foreachpersononthelist,indicatewithacheckmarkifwearousedjealousy,suspicion,or1556bitterness.1557

Ifwecheckmorethanoneofthesefeelings,circletheonethatpredominatesinthis1558instance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenot1559important.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.1560


ColumnFour1561Wasanyoneelsehurtbyouractions?Ifso,listthem.1562

Thisconductmayhavehurtourspousesorthechildrenofeitherpartyduetotheirneglect1563orthecreationofbadfeelingsinthehomebetweentheparents.1564

ColumnFive1565Whatmighthavetriggeredouraction?1566

Lookatwhatmighthavetriggeredouractionandindicatewithacheckmarkoneormore1567oftheoptionsprovided.Ifmorethanoneischecked,wemaywanttocircletheonethat1568wasthedrivingforceinthisinstance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmean1569theothersarenotimportant.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifthetriggerisnotlisted,1570writeitinthe“other”column.1571

ColumnSix1572Describebrieflyhowwewereatfault,capturingtheessenceofthesituationinjustafew1573words.1574

ColumnSeven1575Describebrieflyhowwewillhandlesimilarsituationsinthefuture.1576

TheBigBook37hasasuggestionabouthowwemightwanttoconductourselvesinour1577futurerelationships.Onpage69,rereadtheparagraphbeginning“Inthiswaywetriedto1578shapeasaneandsoundideal….”WeprayandaskforGod’sorHP’sguidance.1579

1580


SexConductWorksheetExamples“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

WhodidIhurt? WasI:

DidIunjustifiablyarouse:

Whoelsewashurt,ifanyone?

Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggeredmyaction?

HowwasIatfault?

Inthefuture…

Selfish?

Dishonest?

Inconsiderate?

Jealousy?

Suspicion?

Bitterness?

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy/

Jealousy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-centered

Other

Glenn + + + + + Glenn’s friend + + People pleasing

I flirted with his friend.

Be friendly and give attention, but don’t flirt.

John + + + + Me + + + + + Financial insecurity; I used him.

Dated him so he would pay my bills.

Only date men I really like. Don’t use anyone. Pay my own way.

My wife + + + + + + Jane, the kids, and I

+ + + + Arrogance Cheated on my wife.

Don’t do it again.

SexConductWorksheet“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

WhodidIhurt? WasI:




HowwasIatfault?

Inthefuture…

Selfish?

Dishonest?

Inconsiderate?

Jealousy?

Suspicion?

Bitterness?

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy/

Jealousy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-centered

Other

Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines1584

ColumnOne1585

Listeachinstanceofremorseorguiltwehavebeencarrying,oftenforyears.1586

Rememberthisisalistofpeoplewehaveactuallyharmedinsomeway,notalistofpeople1587wedon’tlike.WereviewourResentments,Fears,andSexConductWorksheetstofind1588namesweneedtolisthere.WemayalsowanttobrieflyreviewthequestionsintheOA1589TwelveandTwelvetohelpourmemory(pp.34-43).1590

ColumnTwo1591

Describebrieflywhatwedidorfailedtodo.Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceof1592thesituationandmoveon.1593

ColumnThree1594

Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfweweretryingtoprotectorbenefit.1595

Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthissituation.1596Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Weare1597lookingforgeneralpatterns.1598

ColumnFour1599

Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormorecharacterdefectsorthoughtsthattriggeredour1600reactionstoeachsituation.1601

Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthissituation.1602Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Weare1603lookingforgeneralpatterns.Usethe“other”columntowriteinanothertraitthatismore1604appropriate.1605

Afterdiscussingitwithoursponsor,usetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheetnot1606onlyforStepsFourandFivebutalsoforStepsSixthroughNineasweaskourHigher1607Powertoremoveourcharacterdefectsandtoprepareustomakeamends.Wemightalso1608wanttodiscusswithoursponsorwhatwecouldhavedonedifferently.1609

1610

1611

1612

Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetExamples“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).

1 2 3 4

WhoorwhatdidIharm?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?

WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotect

orbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait

triggeredmyaction?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

Agirlatschool Iflushedherclothesdownthetoiletduringgym.

+ + + +

+ Meanandinconsiderate

Sylvia SheloanedmeabookandIdidn’treturnit.

+ + + Ilovedthebookandcouldn’tfindanother;procrastination.

Johnny Istartedafightwithhimbecausehewastheteacher’sfavorite.

+ + + + Laziness

Mychurchcommunity Haven’tdonemyfairshareofvolunteering.

+ + + + + Felttooimportanttodothelittlestuff.

Myhusband Spenttoomuchmoney. + + + + + + + + Alwayswantmore.

Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).

1 2 3 4

WhoorwhatdidIharm?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?

WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotect

orbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait

triggeredmyaction?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

1617

1618

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepFour:SessionTwoofThreeHomework1619

1620

1621

! Action1622

• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon’tknowhowtousethe1623worksheets.1624

• CompletetheFearsWorksheet.1625

• CompletetheSexConductWorksheet.1626

• CompletetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet.1627

1628

1629

1630

1631

1632

1633

1634

1635

1636

1637

1638


StepFour:SessionThreeofThree1639


1641


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


1642


LEADER1645

“TosummarizeourworkthusfaronStepFour,I’llreadthesecondparagraphofStepFour1646fromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(p.29).1647

LEADERREADS1648

“Thoseofuswhohavecompletedstepfourhavefoundthattakingthis1649searchingandfearlessmoralinventorywasoneofthemostlovingthingswe1650everdidforourselves.Aswetookanhonestlookatthepast,atwhowe’d1651beenandwhatwe’ddone,webegantounderstandourselvesbetter.That1652understandingwasthebeginningofemotionalhealing.Manyofushadlived1653ourlivesuptothispointwithasecretfeelingofshame.Wecarrieddeepin1654ourheartsthefeelingthatwewereworthlessorinsignificant.Oftenthis1655shamestemmedfromunresolvedguiltovermistakeswe’dneverfullydealt1656with.Wehadneverfacedourwrongshonestlyandacknowledgedthem,so1657wewereleftfeelingashamed.Writingourstep-fourinventoryenabledusto1658begincleaningupthemessesofthepastsowecouldstartlifeover,afresh.”1659

LEADER1660

“Weaskourselves:‘AmIbeginningtohaveasenseofthefreedompossiblewhenthis1661processiscomplete?’Ifnot,pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery1662afterthissession.”1663

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofOtherProblemAreas(20minutes)1664

LEADER1665

“Inthis,thelastofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilllookatotherproblem1666areasinourlivesthathavecausedustofeelshame,guilt,ordiscomfort.We’llalsoexamine1667oldbeliefsaboutourselvesthatwe’vecarriedwithusforfartoolong.PleaseopentheOA1668TwelveandTwelvetopage43.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraphatatime.MayIhave1669


LEADER



avolunteertostartreading,beginningwith‘Afterwritingourinventory,…’andcontinuing1670totheendofthechapter(p.44)?”1671


LEADER1673

“Let’sdiscusshowtobalancethedesireforthoroughness,whichcanbeanothernamefor1674perfectionism,versustheadvantageoffinishingourinventoryinthetimewehave.Itmay1675helptorememberthatinthisworkshop,inadditiontoworkingonourinventory,weare1676learningtheprocessofself-examination.NodoubtwewillrepeattheFourthStepinthe1677future.Completingitnowwillhelpusrecallhowtodothat.Inaddition,wewillapplythis1678processintheStepTenSessionwhenwelearnhowtotakeaSpot-checkInventory.1679



LEADER1683

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage48.MayIhaveavolunteertostartreading,1684beginningwith‘Nowlet’spondertheneed….’through‘ThesearethefirstfruitsofStep1685Four’atthetopofpage50?”1686


LEADER1688

“Let’sdiscusshowwethinkdoingaFourthStepInventorywillhelpuschangeforthe1689better.1690



! InstructionsforCompletingtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet(20minutes)1694

LEADER1695

“HerearetheOtherProblemAreasWorksheetsandExamples,aswellastheguidelinesfor1696thistopic.TherearetwocopiesoftheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.Wewilluseoneas1697practiceshortly.”1698

[Leadersetsthetimerforfiveminutestohandout1699materialsandreviewtheguidelinesand1700worksheets.]1701

LEADER1702

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines?”1703


LEADER1705

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheintroductoryquoteandheadingsontheOtherProblem1706AreasWorksheet?”1707


LEADER1709

“NowmayIhaveavolunteertoreadsomeoftheentriesontheOtherProblemAreas1710WorksheetExamples?Pleasechoosetheonesthatappealtoyouthemost.”1711


LEADER1713

“Arethereanyquestionsordiscussionaboutthisworksheet?1714

“Pleasetakefiveminutestowriteaboutoneormoreproblemareasthatarecausing1715discomfort.”1716


LEADER1718

“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshop,andforthenextfiveminutes,taketurns1719sharingabouthowyoucompletedtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.”1720


LEADER1722

“Nowthatwe’vestartedtousethisworksheet,let’stakefiveminutesforquestionsorto1723discusstheprocessingeneral.”1724


LEADER1726

“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewillworkontheOldBeliefsWorksheets.”1727

1728

1729

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofOldBeliefs,Patterns,andLabels(15minutes)1730

LEADER1731

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.Overtheyears,wehaveaccumulatedmany1732negativeideasaboutourselves.Theseideasmaybeintheformofbeliefsthatwehave1733aboutourselvesornameswemaycallourselves,suchasstupid,lazy,slob,orliar.Ifweare1734torecover,wemustnotshyawayfromexaminingtheaccuracyofthesebeliefsornames,1735whichmayhavebeenwithussinceearlychildhood.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJune101736fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage162?”1737


LEADER1739

“Howcanwemovefromfeelingsofshameaboutourselvestoalifeofabstinenceand1740recovery?1741



LEADER1745


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



“PleaseopenForTodaytoSeptember21onpage265.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthis1746page?”1747


LEADER1749

“Whatcanwehopetoachievebyshiningalightonouroldbeliefs?1750



! InstructionsforCompletingtheOldBeliefsWorksheet(25minutes)1754

LEADER1755

“HerearetheOldBeliefsWorksheetsandExamplesforworkingwitholdbeliefs,patterns,1756andlabelsaswellastheguidelinesforthistopic.TherearetwocopiesoftheOldBeliefs1757Worksheet.Wewilluseoneaspractice.”1758

[Leadersetsthetimerforfiveminutestohandout1759materialsandreviewtheguidelinesand1760worksheets.]1761

LEADER1762

“MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreadingtheOldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines?Pleasetake1763turnsreadingoneparagraphatatime.”1764

[Volunteersreadfromtheguidelines.]1765

1766LEADER1767

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheintroductoryquoteandtheheadingsontheOldBeliefs1768Worksheet?”1769


LEADER1771

“NowmayIhaveavolunteertoreadtwoorthreeexamplesfromtheOldBeliefsWorksheet1772Examples?”1773


LEADER1775

“Arethereanyquestionsordiscussionaboutthisworksheet?1776

“Pleasetakefiveminutestowriteabouttwoormoreoldbeliefs,patterns,orlabelsthatyou1777havecarriedwithyou.”1778


LEADER1780

“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshop,andforthenextfiveminutes,taketurns1781sharingwhatyou’vewrittenduringthisexercise.”1782


LEADER1784

“Nowthatwehavebeguntofilloutthisworksheet,let’stakefiveminutesforquestionsor1785todiscusstheprocessingeneral.”1786


178838 1789

1790



LEADER




“Beforeournextsession,pleasecompletetheOtherProblemAreasandOldBeliefs1791Worksheets.Makeextracopiesoftheworksheetsasneeded.Oneofouroldlabelsmightbe1792‘Ineverfinishanything!’Ifso,begintoaffirmsomethinglike‘IfinishwhateverIstartina1793timelyway.’Inaddition,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethischaracterdefect1794(oldlabel),andthenactasifithasbeenremoved:Stayinactionandcompleteour1795inventory.” 1796 1797

1798 1799 1800 1801

1802


OtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines1803

Experiencehasshownthatsomeofushaveotherbehaviors,suchasoverspending,people-1804pleasing,beinglate,orcollectingclutter,thatcauseproblemsinourlivesandhavenotbeen1805includedintheotherpartsofourinventory.Thisworksheetprovidesuswiththe1806opportunitytofurtherunburdenourselves.1807

ColumnOne1808

Listanyotherbehaviorsthatcreateproblemsinourlife.1809

ColumnTwo1810

Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfwewereseekingtoprotector1811benefitbythisbehavior.1812

Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceforthisbehavior.Circling1813one,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelooking1814forgeneralpatterns.1815

ColumnThree1816

Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormorecharacterdefectsorthoughtsthattriggeredour1817actions.1818

Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceforthisbehavior.Circling1819one,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelooking1820forgeneralpatterns.Listothertraitsthataremoreappropriateinthe“other”column.1821

ColumnFour1822

Brieflydescribewhatalternativebehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive.1823

1824

OtherProblemAreasWorksheetExamples“Ourpastproblemshavebeencontrollingouractionsandfeelingsforyears,ofteninwaysofwhichwearenotaware.Aswefacetheproblems,theylosetheirpowertooverwhelmandcontrolus.Thechainsofself-obsessiondropfromusonebyone,andweareabletoknowanddoourHigherPower’swillmoreeasily,withouttheneedtoprotectourselvesfromuncomfortablefeelingsbyeatingcompulsively”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30)

1 2 3 4

Thesebehaviorscreateproblemsinmylife:

WhataspectofselfamIseekingto

protectorbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait

triggersmyaction?Whatbehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

Itrytoimpressotherpeople.

+ + + + + + + + + + Beingmyself

Igossipaboutothers,creatingbadfeelings.

+ + + + + +

Lookforthegoodinothersandnotgossip.

OneormoreareasinmyhomearesoclutteredIamembarrassedtohavepeoplevisit.

+ + + + + Sloth,lackofdiscipline,poortimemanagement

Plantimetocleanupanddoitregularly.

Idonotspeakupformyself. + + + + + + + Expressmyfeelings.MeanwhatIsayandusekindlanguage.

IamsobusytakingcareofotherpeoplethatIdonottakecareofmyself.

+ + + + + + Focusonmyownrecovery.

OtherProblemAreasWorksheet“Ourpastproblemshavebeencontrollingouractionsandfeelingsforyears,ofteninwaysofwhichwearenotaware.Aswefacetheproblems,theylosetheirpowertooverwhelmandcontrolus.Thechainsofself-obsessiondropfromusonebyone,andweareabletoknowanddoourHigherPower’swillmoreeasily,withouttheneedtoprotectourselvesfromuncomfortablefeelingsbyeatingcompulsively”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30)

1 2 3 4

Thesebehaviorscreateproblemsinmylife:

WhataspectofselfamIseekingto

protectorbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait

triggersmyaction?

Whatbehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

OldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines1830

“Workingthisprogramhelpsme…tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmaybe1831revealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).1832

Whenwereactwithanger,fear,orjealousytoaparticularevent,ourreactionisbasedon1833ourbeliefabouttheeventandhowtheworldworks.Forexample,ifmybosscriticizesmeI1834mayfeellikeacompletefailure,likemyjobisinjeopardy,orstupidfornotknowinghowto1835dothejobasexpected.Or,Imaylistencalmly,listeningforhowIcandomyjobbetter,1836pointingoutgoodreasonsformychoices,feelingconfidentthatmybosslikesmeandinmy1837generalcapability.1838

ThedifferentreactionsstemfromwhatIbelieveaboutmyselfbeforetheeventhappened.If1839myoldbeliefisthatIamnotsmartenoughorthatmybossdoesn’tlikefatpeopleand1840doesn’tgivemeenoughcreditorthatIamnotworthytohavethisjobtobeginwith,Imay1841overreactandfeeldevastatedasdescribed.Or,ifIgenerallylikemyselfandamconfidentin1842myabilities,Icanhandlethecriticism,learningfromitordiscountingitbasedonitsmerit1843andnottakingitasapersonalattack.1844

Reviewtheexamplesprovidedandthenrevisittheotherworksheetslookingforpatterns.1845Weaskourselves:1846

• HaveIfrequentlyfeltlikeavictim?1847• DoIoftenfeelworthless?1848• DoIfeelashamedwithoutaspecificreason?1849• DoIthinkIamabadparent?Orbadfriend?1850• DoIfeelsafeintheworldgenerally?1851• DoIfrequentlyhavetroublewithauthorityfigures?1852

1853

Reviewtheitemswherepeopledidnotmeetourexpectations.1854

• DoIexpectspecialtreatment?1855• DoIbelievepeopleshoulddowhatIsuggest,liketheactorwhowantstorunthe1856

wholeshowasdescribedintheBigBook39onpages60and61?18571858Whatelse?Lookforthebeliefsthatsupportordrivethosepatterns.Labels,orhowwetalk1859aboutourselves,oftencaptureourbeliefs.Forexample,dowefrequentlyhearourselves1860sayingoneormoreofthefollowing?18611862

• “Ineverremembernames.”1863• “Iamnotagoodmother.”1864• “Idon’tdeserve.…”1865


• “I’mshyandhaveahardtimemakingfriends.”1866• “Ican’tloseweight.”1867• “Ialwaysgetlost.”1868• “Ialwaysmessup.”1869

1870

Therearemanypossibilities.1871

Ourbeliefsprovidethecriteriabywhichwejudgeevents.It’sasifwearewearingglasses1872andseetheworldthroughthoselenses.Thelensesmaybe“lackofself-worth”insomeor1873allareas,“prejudicetowardoneormoregroups,”or“fearaboutourexperienceinthe1874world,”tonamejustafew.Lookingatourunderlyingbeliefsisanimportantaspectofour1875housecleaning.1876

FollowingaretheguidelinesforcompletingtheOldBeliefsWorksheet.1877

ColumnOne1878

Listalloldbeliefs,patterns,orlabelswehaveaboutourselves.1879

ColumnTwo1880

Brieflydescribewhathappensbasedonthatbelief,pattern,orlabel.1881

ColumnThree1882

Writeanaffirmationaboutanewbelief,pattern,orlabel,toreplacethelimitingone,based1883onournewunderstanding.Onpage354inForToday,December19providesanexample:1884

“Believethatyoucanbeabstinent.Youwillbe.Believethatyoucanhave1885sanity,peaceofmindandfreedomtolivethelifeyouwant.Youwillhave1886them.Believethatyouwillrecover.Youwill.1887

Fortoday:IaffirmthatIhavewithinmeallIneedtoliveanabstinent,sober1888life;andIbelievethatlifeisverymuchworthliving.”1889

InalaterStep,weaskGodorHPtoremovetheoldbeliefs,patterns,andlabelsjustlikewe1890willourothercharacterdefects.Theaffirmationherebeginsthefootwork.1891

1892

1893

1894

OldBeliefsWorksheetExamples“WorkingthisprogramhelpsmedistinguishwhatInolongerneedfromwhatisimportant,tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmayberevealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).

1 2 3

Oldbeliefaboutmyself: Whathappensbecauseofit: Newtruth:Iamnotworthy. Idon’tdefendmyselfwhenI’mtreated

poorly.Idon’ttakecareofmyself,likebuyingniceclothesorgoodfood.Orsometimes,Igototheotherextreme,buyingwhatIcan’taffordtoshowIamworthy.

Ilikemyselfunconditionally,justbecauseIexist.“Feelinggoodaboutmyselfisthemostbasicrequirementofhappiness.Itislikingmyselfunconditionally,feelingworthwhilejustbecauseIexist.Myworthisdeterminedbymeandhasnothingtodowithpublicacclaim,thenumberofpeopleIknoworthesizeanddecibelofthepartiesIattend”(ForToday,p.36).

IfIexpressmyfeelings,peoplewon’tlikeme.Safertogoalongwithwhattheywant.

WhenaskedwhatrestaurantormovieIprefer,IdefertowhateveryoneelsewantswithoutsayingwhatIwantandoftendowhatIdon’treallyenjoy.Or,Idon’tsayIdon’tlikethegossiporracistjokesthatarebeingtold.

IsaywhatImeanandmeanwhatIsay,withoutbeingmean.“Beinghonestandopenwithfriendsandfamilyisasignofgrowth”(ForToday,p.116).

Theworldisnotasafeplace.

Idon’tgooutatnightorvisitnewplacesbymyselfandmissmanyinterestingexperiences.Irestrictmyownlife.

Iwilltakeprecautionsandopenmyselftonewexperiences.“Ihavethestrengthtowalkthroughmyfears,totakeachanceonanewwayoflife”(ForToday,p.99).

Women/mencan’tbetrusted.

IoverreacttocommentsbecauseIassumethatpeoplewillhurtme.Ihavefewclosefriends.

Mostpeoplearetrustworthy.

Iamnotsmart. EventhoughIhaveamaster’sdegree,Idonotfeelsmartand,therefore,cantakeoffenseatwhatpeoplesayornotapplyforjobsbecauseIthinkI’mnotsmartenough.

Iamasmartperson—notassmartassome,butsmarterthanothers.Iamenough.

Idon’tdoenough. I’llnevergeteverythingdonethatIhavetodo.I’malwaysinarushandIfeelexasperated.

Idoenough.

Ineverhaveenough. Icannevereatenoughtosatisfymyself.

IoverspendonclothesbecauseIneverhaveenoughclothestosatisfyme.IwanttocontroleverythingsothatIgetmoreofeverything.Ihoardstuff.

Ihaveenoughfood,clothes,andeverythingbecausemyHigherPowersatisfiesmyneeds.

OldBeliefsWorksheet“WorkingthisprogramhelpsmedistinguishwhatInolongerneedfromwhatisimportant,tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmayberevealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).

1 2 3

Oldbeliefaboutmyself: Whathappensbecauseofit: Newtruth:

StepFour:SessionThreeofThreeHomeworkandReadingfor1898

NextSession1899

1900

! Action1901

• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon'tknowhowtousethe1902worksheets.1903

• CompletetheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.1904

• CompletetheOldBeliefsWorksheet.1905

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepFiveSession401906

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepFive(pp.45-52)1907

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepFive(pp.55-62)1908

• BigBook41,“IntoAction”(pp.72-75)1909

1910

1911




1912

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepFiveSession1913

AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanotherhumanbeingtheexactnatureofour1914wrongs.1915

1916


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


1917

1918! Summary1919

LEADER1920

“TosummarizeourworkonStepFour,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepFourfromtheOA1921TwelveandTwelve”(p.44).1922

LEADERREADS1923

“Eachofuswhocompletesafourth-stepinventoryinOAfindsit1924essentialtoourrecoveryandamajorfactorinchangingourlives.As1925wereachtheendofstepfour,wediscoverthatapromisemadein1926OvereatersAnonymous’s‘OurInvitationtoYou’43hasbeguntobe1927fulfilled.Weare‘movingbeyondthefoodandtheemotionalhavocto1928afullerlivingexperience.’”1929

LEADER1930

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepFour?HaveImadeasearchingandfearless1931moralinventoryofmyself?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery1932afterthissession.”1933

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFive(upto45minutes)1934

LEADER1935

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepFive:‘AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanother1936humanbeingtheexactnatureofourwrongs.’1937


43 Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition (p. 1)


LEADER



“PleaseopentheBigBook44topage72.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,beginningwith1939‘Havingmadeourpersonalinventory,…’through‘…untiltheytoldsomeoneelsealltheir1940lifestory’onpage73?”1941


LEADER1943

“InwhatwaysisStepFiveimportantandhowwillitbenefitus?1944



LEADER1948

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage48.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,1949beginningwith‘Itisimportantthatwechoose….’through‘…inawaywehavenotbeen1950sincechildhood’onpage50?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”1951


LEADER1953

“WhatthoughtsdoyouhaveonwhotochooseandontheactualprocessofdoingtheFifth1954Step?1955



LEADER1959

“TheBigBookprovidesanaptpassagedescribingwhattodoafterwegiveawayourFifth1960Step.PleaseopentheBigBooktopage75andfollowalongasIread,beginningwith1961‘Returninghomewefindaplace….’through‘WethenlookatStepSix’atthetopofpage76.”1962


LEADER1964

“WemayalsowanttoreviewtheOATwelveandTwelveonthistopic(pp.51-52).Afterthe1965break,we’llreadfromVoicesofRecovery,whichreferstothispassage.”1966

44 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.

1967

1968! ReadingandWritingonStepFivefromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(251969

minutes)1970

LEADER1971

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFive.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily1972readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite1973onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.1974



LEADER1977

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJune19fromForTodayonpage171?”1978


LEADER1980



1983


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



LEADER1984



4519871988

45 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)


LEADER




LEADER



LEADER


StepFiveSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession1989

1990

! Action1991

• MakeanappointmentwithasponsororanotherpersontohearourFifthStep.1992

• MeetwiththatpersonandcompleteStepFive.1993

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepSixSession461994

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepSix(pp.53-58)1995

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepSix(pp.63-69)1996

• BigBook47,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Returninghome…”through“1997…usbewilling”(pp.75-76)1998

1999

46 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.



StepSixSession2000

WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveallthesedefectsofcharacter.2001

2002


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER

“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.

2003

2004! Summary2005LEADER2006

“TosummarizeourworkonStepFive,I’llreadanexcerptofthelasttwoparagraphsofStep2007FivefromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.51-52).2008

LEADERREADS2009

“Aswecompletestepfive,wemayfeelmanyemotions,amongthem2010humility,elation,andrelief.Weoftenfeelnearer…toourHigherPowerand2011morelovingandtrustingofotherpeople….2012

Intheprocessofsharingourinventorywehavebecomemorehonestwith2013ourselvesandothersthanwehaveeverbeenbefore.Honestyisakeyfactor2014inourrecoveryfromcompulsiveeating,andsowewillwanttodevelopthis2015trait.Thebestwaytodosoistocontinueworkingthetwelvesteps….From2016thispointon,webegintoleavebehindthecharacterdefectswhichhave2017causedussomanyproblemsinthepast.”2018

LEADER2019

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepFive?HaveIadmittedtheexactnatureofmy2020wrongstomyselfandmyHigherPowerandadmittedanddiscussedthemwithanother2021humanbeing?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterweclose2022thissession.”2023

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepSix(upto45minutes)2024

LEADER2025

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepSix:‘WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveall2026thesedefectsofcharacter.’2027



LEADER



“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage53.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthefirst2029threeparagraphsoftheStep,beginningwith‘Atfirstglance…’through‘…thedefects2030themselves’?”2031


LEADER2033

“Whatisthedifferencebetweensayingwe’reentirelyreadyandbeingentirelyready?2034



LEADER2038

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage66.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2039beginningwith‘Whatwemustrecognize….’through‘…excessivemisery’atthebottomof2040page67?Pleasetaketurnsreadingaparagrapheach.”2041


LEADER2043

“Ourcharacterdefectsdosomethingforus,whichiswhywehangontothem.Whatare2044somecharacterdefectsthatwe’dratherkeep?2045




LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



! ReadingandWritingonStepSixfromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(252049minutes)2050

LEADER2051

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepSix.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2052readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2053onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2054

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember3fromForTodayonpage308?”2055


LEADER2057

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust3fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage216?”2058


LEADER2060



LEADER2063


[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]206548 2066



LEADER


2068

2069



LEADER



LEADER


StepSixSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2070

! Writing2071

• ReviewOATwelveandTwelve,StepSix,beginningwith“Evenwhenwedo…”2072through“Wecan’tdoitalone”(p.55).2073

• HowhaveIbeenunsuccessfulatremovingmycharacterdefects?2074

• ReviewAATwelveandTwelve,StepSix,beginningwith“SoStepSix…”through2075“Wheredowestand?”(pp.65-66).2076

• HowdoIknowthatIamnowentirelyreadytohaveGodorHPremoveallofmy2077defectsofcharacter?2078

! Action2079

• Reviewallthecharacterdefects/traitsIidentifiedinStepsFourandFive.2080

• MakealistoftheminpreparationforStepSeven.Ourcharacterdefectsdo2081somethingforus,whichiswhywehangontothem.Arethereanycharacterdefects2082I’dstillliketokeep?Ifso,prayforclarityabouthoweachaffectsmylife.Thenpray2083forthewillingnesstobeentirelyreadytohavethemallremoved.2084

• Reviewthelistandaskifitiscompletetothebestofmyknowledgeatthistime.If2085not,addwhateverneedstobeadded.2086

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepSevenSession492087

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepSeven(pp.59-66)2088

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepSeven(pp.70-76)2089

• BigBook50,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Ifwecananswer…”through“2090…completedStepSeven”(p.76)2091



Spendasmuchtimeasyouneedonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.Thereadingassignmentswillprepareyoutoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleaseshareyourhomeworkbetweensessionswithyoursponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.

StepSevenSession2092

HumblyaskedHimtoremoveourshortcomings.2093

2094


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


2095

! Summary2096

LEADER2097

“TosummarizeourworkonStepSix,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepSixfromtheOA2098TwelveandTwelve”(p.58).2099

LEADERREADS2100

“Aswiththefiveearliersteps,ourrewardswhenwe’vetakenstepsixare2101great.Althoughwemaynotrealizeitatfirst,ourcommitmenttoembracethe2102neededchangesinourselveshasgivenusanextraordinarypowertodeal2103withlife’schallenges.Nolongerdowegothroughlifeclingingdesperatelyto2104thepast,resistanttochange.Fromnowon,wewillstrivetokeepourselves2105entirelyreadyforanytransformationsourHigherPowerwantstobring2106aboutinus.Havingsuchanattitude,wecannotfail.Wewillbecomewiser,2107saner,moreeffectivepeopleaswerecoverfromthediseaseofcompulsive2108eating.We’llfindwecancopewithbothgoodtimes—andbad,learningand2109growingspirituallyfromeachexperience,asourHigherPowerintendedus2110todoallalong.”2111

LEADER2112

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepSix?AmIentirelyreadytohaveGodorHP2113removeallmydefectsofcharacter?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerin2114recoveryafterthissession.”2115

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepSeven(upto45minutes)2116

LEADER2117

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepSeven:‘HumblyaskedHimtoremoveour2118shortcomings.’2119



LEADER



“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage60.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2121secondparagraph,startingwith‘Ifwehaveearnestly…’through‘…status-seeking,and2122self-righteousness’onpage62?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2123


LEADER2125

“WhyishumilitynecessarytocompleteStepSeven?2126



LEADER2130

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage73.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2131beginningwith‘Whenwehavefinally…’andcontinuingthrough‘…whichcangiveus2132serenity’onpage74?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2133


LEADER2135

“Howcanhumilitybringaboutserenity?2136

“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2137manyaspossiblecanshare.”2138


2140


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



! ReadingandWritingonStepSevenfromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2141

LEADER2142

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepSeven.WewillnowreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2143dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutesto2144writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2145

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage183?”2146


LEADER2148

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly2fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage184?”2149


LEADER2151



LEADER2154



5121572158



LEADER


2159

21602161



LEADER



LEADER


StepSevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2162

2163

! Writing2164

! ReviewOATwelveandTwelve,StepSevenbeginningwith“First,wearenot…”2165through“…helpcanIchange”(pp.60-61).2166

• DescribehowIwillworktowardachievinghumilitywithregardtomycharacter2167defects.2168

! Action2169

• RereadOATwelveandTwelve,StepSevenbeginningwith“Howdowecompletestep2170seven?”through“Wehavetakenstepseven”(pp.62-63).2171

• Refertothelistofcharacterdefects/traitsIcompiledinStepSix.Humblyaskmy2172HigherPowertoremovethem,oneatatime,asdescribedintheOATwelveand2173Twelve.2174

• MemorizetheSeventhStepPrayerfoundonpagetbdofthisguideandpage76in2175theBigBook.52Orcreateandmemorizeasimilarprayerformyself.2176

• Followthesuggestionsgivenonpage64oftheOATwelveandTwelve:Visualizehow2177Iwillbewithouteachparticulardefect.Inthedaysandweeksahead,when2178previouslytroublingincidentsarise,pausebeforereacting,askmyHigherPowerfor2179guidance,andpracticehandlingthemdifferently.2180

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepEightSession532181

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepEight(pp.67-73)2182

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepEight(pp.77-82)21832184




StepEightSession2185

Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedandbecamewillingtomakeamendsto2186themall.2187

2188


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


2189

! Summary2190

LEADER2191

“TosummarizeourworkonStepSeven,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepSevenfromthe2192OATwelveandTwelve”(pp.65-66).2193

LEADERREADS2194

“Repeatedpracticeofstepsevenenablesustoformaworkingpartnership2195withourHigherPowerthroughwhichwearerelievedofthedefectswhich2196haveblockedoureffectivenessintheworld.Aswegainnewhumilityand2197evergreaterfreedomfromourcharacterdefects,God’spowerflowsmore2198surelyandfreelythroughus,bringinghealingtoothersaswellasourselves,2199anddrawingtousallthethingsweoncefoughtsohardtoattain:self-esteem,2200afeelingofusefulness,joy,strengthtosurmountdifficulties,fellowship,and2201love.Oursimpleprayers,humblyspoken,areansweredinwonderfulwaysas2202weopenourlivestoGod’stransformingpower,andwefindthatGoddoesfor2203uswhatwecouldneverdoforourselves.”2204

LEADER2205

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepSeven?HaveIhumblyandsincerelyaskedmy2206HigherPowertoremovemydefectsofcharacter?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsor2207orpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2208

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepEight(upto45minutes)2209

LEADER2210

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepEight:‘Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedand2211becamewillingtomakeamendstothemall.’2212


2214


LEADER



“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage80.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2215beginningwith‘Wemightnextask…’throughtheendoftheSteponpage82?Pleasetake2216turnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2217


LEADER2219

“Refertothelistofmoresubtleharmsdescribedonpage81.WhichonesdoImostreadily2220relatetoasharmfultomyselfandothers?ItmightbehelpfultorefertotheHarms(Guilt2221andRemorse)WorksheetcompletedinStepFour.2222



LEADER2226

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage67.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2227with‘Clearly,…’through‘…mercyandforgiveness’onpage69?Pleasetaketurnsreading2228afewparagraphs.”2229


LEADER2231

“Asthechapterstates,ourownnameshavetobesomewherenearthetopofthelist(p.69).2232InwhatwayshaveIcausedmyselfharm?2233



2237

2238

2239

2240

2241

2242

2243

2244

2245

! ReadingandWritingonStepEightfromVoicesofRecoveryandForToday(252246minutes)2247

LEADER2248

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepEight.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2249readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2250onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2251



LEADER2254

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust30fromForTodayonpage243?”2255


LEADER2257



LEADER2260


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER





5422632264



LEADER




LEADER



LEADER


StepEightSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2265

2266

! Writing2267

• ReviewAATwelveandTwelve,StepEightbeginningwith“Theseobstacles,however,2268areveryreal….”through“…forgettingourown.”Identifyanyobstaclesthatstill2269obstructmywillingnesstomakeamends”(p.78).2270

! Action2271

• RefertomyStepFourInventoryworksheets.Considerthereadingswediscussedin2272oursession.Ismylistcomplete?AmIwillingtomakeamendstothemall?Ifnot,2273identifytheonesIamnotwillingtomakeamendstoanddiscusswithmysponsor2274orpartnerinrecovery.Prayforthewillingnesstomakeamendstothemall.2275

• Isforgivenessofoneormoreindividualsorsituationsanissueforme?Ifitis,Ican2276beginbyprayingforthewillingnesstoforgiveandthenprogresstoactually2277forgivingeachindividually,perhapsbyfollowingthesuggestioninthestory2278“FreedomfromBondage”intheBigBook55(pp.544-552).2279

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepNineSession562280

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepNine(pp.75-81)2281

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepNine(pp.83-87)2282

• BigBook,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Nowweneedmoreaction….”2283through“Weworkforthem”(pp.76-84)2284

2285




StepNineSession2286

Madedirectamendswhereverpossible,exceptwhentodosowouldinjurethemor2287others.2288

2289


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


! Summary2290

LEADER2291

“TosummarizeourworkonStepEight,IwillreadthelastparagraphofStepEightfromthe2292OATwelveandTwelve”(p.73).2293

LEADERREADS2294

“Asmuchaswemightliketo,wecannotskipthemakingofamends.The2295experienceofOAswhohaveworkedthestepsbeforeusshowsthatrecovery2296dependsoncompletingstepseightandnine.Withthisinmind,weturnonce2297moretoGod,askingforthewillingnesstodothethingswefear,tomakethe2298amendsweowe.Havingsaidthisprayersincerely,wearenowwilling,and2299wemovequicklyaheadtostepnine.”2300

LEADER2301

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepEight?HaveIlistedallpeopleIhaveharmed2302andbecomewillingtomakeamendstothemall?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsoror2303partnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2304

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepNine(upto45minutes)2305

LEADER2306

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepNine:‘Madedirectamendswhereverpossible,except2307whentodosowouldinjurethemorothers.’2308


“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage76.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2310with‘Oursponsorswillprobablyremindus….’through‘…hurtsofthepast’atthetopof2311page79?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2312


LEADER2314

“Whatismeantby‘Wemustletgoofanyexpectationswemayhave’(p.76)?What2315expectationsdoIhaveaboutmakingamends?2316


LEADER



“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Whowouldliketo2317begin?”2318


LEADER2320

“PleaseopentheBigBook57topage77.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,startingfromthe2321lastparagraphwith‘Undernocondition…’through‘…gratifiedwiththeresult’onpage232278?”2323


LEADER2325

“Whyisitimportanttofocusonourownactionsthatrequireamends?2326

“Wehavefifteenminutestoshare.Pleasebebriefsoasmanyaspossiblecanshare.Who2327wouldliketobegin?”2328


! ReadingandWritingonStepNinefromVoicesofRecoveryandForToday(252330minutes)2331

LEADER2332

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepNine.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2333readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2334onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2335





LEADER



2338

2339

LEADER2340

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJanuary18fromForTodayonpage18?”2341


LEADER2343



LEADER2346



58 The Statement on Abstinence and Recovery is “Abstinence in Overeaters Anonymous is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.” (WSBC Policy 1988b, amended 2002, 2009, and 2011)

! Break(10minutes)

LEADER




LEADER


23502351

“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork


LEADER



LEADER


! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepNineSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2352

! Writing2353

• “OATwelveandTwelve,StepNinefromthebeginningoftheStepthrough“…toward2354theminthefuture”(pp.75-76).2355

• WhyisitimportanttotakeStepNine?2356

• Whatisthedifferencebetweenmakingapologiesandmakingamends?2357

• WhatamendsdoIneedtomaketoeachpersononmylist?2358

! Action2359

• ReviewthelistImadeinStepEight.ChooseatleastthreepeoplethatIamwillingto2360makeamendstonow.Besideeachname,writehowIplantomakeamends.Ask2361myselfifthesearetrueamendsormerelyanapology.Makingtrueamendsimplies2362forgivenessofbothmyselfandtheotherperson.Beforemakingamends,sharewhat2363Iplantodowithasponsororpartnerinrecovery.2364

• NowitistimeforthevitalStepNine.MaketheamendsIhavediscussed.OnceIhave2365completedoneamend,sharetheexperiencewithmysponsororpartnerin2366recovery.2367

• Weprobablywon’tfinishallouramendsbeforeournextsession,butkeepgoing.2368TheBigBook59tellsus“Wewillbeamazedbeforewearehalfwaythrough”(p.83).2369

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTenSession602370

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTen(pp.83-90)2371

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTen(pp.88-95)2372



Spendasmuchtimeasyouneedonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.Thereadingassignmentswillprepareyoutoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleaseshareyourhomeworkbetweensessionswithyoursponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.

• BigBook61,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Thisthoughtbringsus…”2373through“…moreaction”(pp.84-85).2374

2375


StepTenSession2376

Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptly2377admittedit.2378

2379


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER


2380

2381! Summary2382

LEADER2383

“TosummarizeourworkonStepNine,I’llreadthesecondtothelastparagraphofStep2384NinefromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.80-81).2385

LEADERREADS2386

“Ifwearetoberestoredtorightrelationswithothers,wemustdowhatever2387wecantosquarethingswiththepeoplewehaveharmed.Muchofwhatwe2388needtodoinordertomakeamendswon’tbeeasy,butthosewhohavegone2389throughwithstepninehavealwaysfoundittobemorethanworththeeffort.2390WhenwefinishouramendsmostofusfeelclosertoourHigherPowerthan2391everbefore.Aswehavedealtlovinglywitheverypersoninourlives,our2392spiritualawakeninghasbecomeareality.Tothebestofourability,we’ve2393cleanedupthewreckageofthepast,andweareatpeacewiththeworld.”2394

LEADER2395

“StepNinestates:‘Madedirectamendstosuchpeoplewhereverpossible,exceptwhento2396dosowouldinjurethemorothers.’2397

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveIbegunmakingdirectamendswheneverpossible?AmIclearthat2398Imustnotmakeamendsthatwillcauseinjury?AmIfeelinganyresistancetomakingmy2399amends?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2400


LEADER



! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTen(upto45minutes)2401

LEADER2402

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTen:‘Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhen2403wewerewrong,promptlyadmittedit.’2404

“Thewordwhenisimportant.It’snotifwewerewrong.AccordingtotheBigBook62,weare2405foolingourselvesifwethinkourcharacterdefectsaregoneforgood.Pleaseturntopage842406andfollowalongasIreadtheparagraphbeginningwith‘ThisthoughtbringsustoStep2407Ten….’”2408


LEADER2410

“WorkingStepTenmeansactivelyworkingStepsFourthroughNineeveryday,including2411bothspot-checksthroughoutthedayasneededandadailyreview.Somebelievethatwe2412onlydoStepsFourthroughNineformallyonce,andthen,whenwetakeStepTendaily,we2413reviewtheconceptsthatareinStepsFourthroughNine.Wecontinuetotakepersonal2414inventoryandwhenwearewrongwepromptlyadmititordowhatisnecessarytomake2415amends.WeworkStepTenasawayoflife.Nowwe’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsand2416discussingwhatweread.2417

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothebeginningofStepTenonpage83.MayIhave2418avolunteertoreadfromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘…regainouremotional2419balance’onpage84?Pleasefollowalong.”2420


LEADER2422

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage90.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2423passage,beginningwith‘Itisaspiritualaxiom….’through‘…notforperfection’onpage242491?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2425


LEADER2427

“Wenowhavefifteenminutestodiscussthesepassages.Pleasebebriefsoasmanyas2428possiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?” 2429



LEADER2431

“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage85.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2432paragraphstarting‘Therearemanywaystotakepersonalinventories’?Pleasefollow2433along.”2434


! StepTenSpot-check(upto25minutes)2436

LEADER2437

“HerearetheStepTenSpot-checkmaterials:theStepTenSpot-checkExampleandtwo2438copiesoftheStepTenSpot-checkWorksheet.Keepacleancopyoftheblankworksheetfor2439thehomework.We’llworkwiththeothercopynow.”2440

[Leaderhandsoutmaterials.]2441

LEADER2442

“MayIhavetwovolunteerstoreadtheStepTenSpot-checkExample?Readingrowbyrow,2443onecanreadtheleftcolumnandtheothertherightcolumn.”2444


LEADER2446

“HerearetheSummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadings.Theseheadingsmayhelpus2447recalltheinventoryprocesswelearnedinworkingStepsFourthroughNine.”2448

[LeaderhandsouttheSummaryofInventory2449 WorksheetHeadings.]2450

LEADER2451

“Thinkofacurrentorrecentsituationthatdisturbedyou.Nowtakefiveminutestofillin2452therightcolumn,asbestyoucan,ontheStepTenSpot-checkWorksheet.”2453


LEADER2455

“Turntothepersonnexttoyouandsharewhatyouwrote.Eachpersonwillhavethree2456minutestoshare.”2457

[Leadersetsthetimerforsixminutes.]2458

2459

2460

LEADER2461

“Wenowhavefifteenminutestodiscussthespot-checkexercise.Pleasebebriefsoasmany2462aspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2463


2465

StepTenSpot-checkWorksheetExamples2466

StepTenisaprocessweusetohelpuscontinuetogrowspiritually.WhenweworkStep2467Ten,weactivelyworkStepsFourthroughNine.“Instepsfivethroughnineweventured2468outsideourisolationtoshareourselvesindepthwithourHigherPowerandwithother2469people”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.84-85).2470

Thepasthasbeencleanedup.Nowit’stimetopracticeStepTen.2471

2472“ThepurposeofStepTenistoidentifyandremovefromourpathtoday’sstumblingblocks,thosemanifestationsofpride,fear,anger,self-pity,greed,andotheremotionswhicharebringingpainintoourlivesandkeepingusfromgrowingtoday”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.84).

Inyourmind,quicklygothroughtheStepFourInventoryworksheet(s)toidentifywhichcharacterdefects/traitstriggeredyourreaction.Ask:“HowwasIhurtorthreatened?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?DidIdoharm?WhataspectofselfamIseekingtoprotectorbenefit?”Identifyandadmityourpart.

Rememberweareonlyassickasoursecrets.

StepsFourandFive:IdentifyandadmittoGod/HP,toyourself,andtoanother….

WhileIwasdrivingmychildrentoschool,anotherdrivercutmeoff.Iwasresentfulandangry.Iexpectedtheotherdrivertofollowmyrulesoftheroad.Ifearedforourlives.Thisthreatedmysecurity.

Ioverreacted.Iscreamedandcursedtheotherdriver.

TomyselfandtomyHigherPower,Imentallyacknowledgedmyexpectations,fear,anger,andoverreaction.

“Sometimeswe’llbecaughtoffguardandfallbackintothedefectivepatterns,butifwepersistinvisualizingandpracticingbetterwaysoflife,theywill,withourHigherPower’shelp,eventuallybecomesecondnature”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.

StepsSixandSeven:Pray/Meditate.

God,savemefrombeingangry.

Helpmeshowloveandtolerance.

Thankyou,God,forkeepingussafe.

Blessthem;changeme.

SeventhStepPrayeronpagetbdofthisguideandpage76oftheBigBook63.


64).

AskyourHigherPowertoremovethecharacterdefects/traitsthatflaredup.

Sayaprayerofyourchoice.

“Steptensuggeststhatwemakeamendspromptly,assoonaswerealizesomeonehasbeenwronged.Bydoingthis,webringanewhonestyintoourrelationships”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.87-88).

Makeamends,asneeded.

StepsEightandNine:Makeamends.

Kids,I’msorryIscreamedandscaredyou.Iloveyou.AreyouOK?Howaboutahug?

“Practicingtheprincipleoflovewelearntoacceptothersastheyare,notaswewouldhavethembe….Slowlybutsurelywefindweareestablishingthebestpossiblerelationshipwitheachpersonweknow”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.105).

Closure:Showloveandtolerance.

IletgoandletGod.Isangsongswithmykidstotakeourmindsoffthescarymomentandbackintothepresentmoment.

Inthefuture,Iwillstrivetobemoreawareandalertwhiledriving.

WhenIgothome,Imadeanoutreachcall.

24732474

StepTenSpot-checkWorksheet2475

StepTenisaprocessweusetohelpuscontinuetogrowspiritually.WhenweworkStep2476Ten,weactivelyworkStepsFourthroughNine.“Instepsfivethroughnineweventured2477outsideourisolationtoshareourselvesindepthwithourHigherPowerandwithother2478people”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.84-85).2479

Thepasthasbeencleanedup.Nowit’stimetopracticeStepTen.2480

2481“ThepurposeofStepTenistoidentifyandremovefromourpathtoday’sstumblingblocks,thosemanifestationsofpride,fear,anger,self-pity,greed,andotheremotionswhicharebringingpainintoourlivesandkeepingusfromgrowingtoday”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.84).

Inyourmind,quicklygothroughtheStepFourInventoryworksheet(s)toidentifywhichcharacterdefects/traitstriggeredyourreaction.Askyourself:“HowwasIhurtorthreatened?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?DidIdoharm?WhataspectofselfamIseekingtoprotectorbenefit?”Identifyandadmityourpart.

Rememberweareonlyassickasoursecrets.

StepsFourandFive:IdentifyandadmittoGod/HP,toyourself,andtoanother….

“Sometimeswe’llbecaughtoffguardandfallbackintothedefectivepatterns,butifwepersistinvisualizingandpracticingbetterwaysoflife,theywill,withourHigherPower’shelp,eventuallybecomesecondnature”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.64).

StepsSixandSeven:Pray/Meditate.

AskyourHigherPowertoremovethecharacterdefects/traitsthatflaredup.

Sayaprayerofyourchoice.

“Steptensuggeststhatwemakeamendspromptly,assoonaswerealizesomeonehasbeenwronged.Bydoingthis,webringanewhonestyintoourrelationships”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.87-88).

Makeamends,asneeded.


“Practicingtheprincipleoflovewelearntoacceptothersastheyare,notaswewouldhavethembe….Slowlybutsurelywefindweareestablishingthebestpossiblerelationshipwitheachpersonweknow”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.105).


24822483

SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsResentmentsandFears

ResentmentsWorksheet“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).

1 2 3 4 5People,





Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

Low

Self-Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

FearsWorksheet“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).

1 2 3 4 5 6

WhoorwhatamI

afraidof? Why?Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?

Whatismypartin

creatingormaintainingthissituation?

Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggers

myaction?WhatwouldmyHigherPower

havemebe?

Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsSexConductandHarms

SexConductWorksheet“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus,‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

WhodidIhurt? WasI:




HowwasIatfault?

Inthefuture…

Selfish?

Dishonest?

Inconsiderate?

Jealousy?

Suspicion?

Bitterness?

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy/

Jealousy

Fear

Low

Self-Esteem

Self-centered

Other

Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).

1 2 3 4

WhoorwhatdidIharm? WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotectorbenefit?


Ambition

Pride

Relationships

Security

Self-Esteem

Dishonesty

Expectations

Greed/Envy

Fear

LowSelf-

Esteem

Self-

Centeredness

Other

2489! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTen,continued(upto25minutes)2490

LEADER2491

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTen.Let’scontinuebylearninghowtowriteadaily2492review.Aswereadonpage86intheOATwelveandTwelve,‘Amoreleisurelyandcareful2493analysisthanthespot-checkinventory,adailyinventorymaybewrittenordonementally.2494Itspurposeistorevealthoseareasinwhichwe’rehavingdifficultiesinourdailylivesand2495helpusdeterminewhatwecandoaboutthem.’2496

“TherearemanywaystopracticeStepTen.Wesuggestadailywrittenreviewofwhat2497wentwellandwhatdidn’tgowell.2498

“Wehavelearnedfromexperiencetopromptlytakeinventorywhenourself-centeredness,2499fears,andresentmentsappear.Ifwedon’t,theywillcauseusmiseryandlossof2500abstinence64.Livinglifeinfearandresentmentindicatesareturntolackofconscious2501contactwithourHigherPower,towillfulness,andtotheunmanageabilityofourlives.2502



LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



“Wealsouseourdailyreviewtonoticethatweareoutgrowingourself-hatredandlackof2503self-esteem.Weacknowledgethethoughts,feelings,andactionsgeneratedbyourstrengths2504andourincreasingrelianceonourHigherPower.2505

“Wecanopenourreviewwithaprayer,askingourHigherPowerforhonestyandguidance.2506Wecanexpressgratitudefortheblessingsinourlives—especiallyconsciouscontactwitha2507lovingHigherPower.Wecanclosebyprayingforforgivenessforourselvesandothers,2508releasefromthecharacterdefects/traitsthatcauseusproblems,andwillingnessto2509continuegrowinginourprogram.2510

“Itdoesn’tmatterwherewewriteourdailyreview—justthatwedevelopapracticetodo2511it.”2512

! StepTenDailyReview(upto25minutes)2513

LEADER2514

“DoingaStepTenDailyReviewhelpsuscontinuetodealwithlifeonlife’stermswithout2515pickingupthefood.HerearetheStepTenDailyReviewmaterials—twocopiesoftheStep2516TenDailyReviewandaSelf-Will/HP’sorGod’sWilltable.Keepacleancopyoftheblank2517worksheetforthehomework.We’llworkwiththeothercopynow.Youmayfindthetable2518helpfulasyoureviewtheday.”2519


LEADER2521

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheStepTenDailyReview?Pleasefollowalong.”2522

[VolunteerreadstheStepTenDailyReview.]2523

LEADER2524

“Reflectingonthedaythathasjustpassed,takefiveminutesusingthisworksheettowrite2525areview.” 2526


LEADER2528

“WenowhavetenminutestoshareonthisStepTenDailyReviewexercise.Pleasebebrief2529soasmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2530


2532

2533

2534

LEADER2535

“Thankyouforsharing.LongtimeOAmemberswithmanyyearsofrecoveryembracethe2536dailypracticeofStepTen.Theyfindithelpfulandevenvitaltodiscussthisworkwiththeir2537sponsororotherOAmembers.Inclosing,IwillreadtherewardstheBigBook652538promises—ifwekeeppracticingStepTenforalifetime.Pleaseturntopage84andfollow2539along,beginningwith“Andwehaveceasedfighting…”through“…fitspiritualcondition”2540onpage85.2541


2543


StepTenDailyReview2544

Date:__________SunMonTuesWedThursFriSat2545

2546

Gratitude—todayIthankmyHigherPowerfor:

SomethingsIlikeaboutmyselfare:

2547

TodaywasI:2548

Resentful?2549

Selfish?2550

Dishonest?2551

Jealous?2552

Fearful?(Oflosingsomething?OfnotgettingwhatIwant?Ofbeingfoundout?)2553

Restless,irritable,ordiscontented?2554

WasIkindandlovingtowardall?2555

DoIoweanamends?2556

WhatdidIdoforothers?2557

WhatcouldIhavedonebetter?2558

WhatdidIdowell?2559

2560

Refertotheprayerprocessdescribedin“FreedomfromBondage”intheBigBook66(p.2561552)andtheSelf-Will/HP’sorGod’sWillhandouttocompletethefollowing:2562

2563

God/HP,grantmefreedomfrom: Andreplaceitwith:

2564

God/HP,Ipray/wishforthehealth,prosperity,happiness,andwell-beingof:2565

AllthethingsIwantformyself,Ipray/wishwillalsobegiventothisperson.2566

2567


Self-Will/HP’sorGod’sWill2568

Mayalsobethoughtofas:CharacterDefect/CharacterAsset2569

Liability/Asset2570

Self-Defeating/LifeAffirming2571

2572

Dishonesty * Honesty2573

Fear * Faith/TrustinHPorGod2574 Selfishness/Self-seeking * InterestinOthers/Altruism2575

Self-centered * Love-centered/HP-orGod-centered2576 Inconsiderate * Considerate2577

Pride * Humility/SeekingHP’sorGod’sWill2578

Greed * Giving/Sharing2579 LustfulThoughts * RespectfulThoughts2580

Anger * Serenity/Acceptance2581

Envy * Gratitude2582 Judgment * Acceptance2583

Sloth/Procrastination * TakingRightAction2584 Gluttony * Moderation2585

Impatience * Patience2586

Intolerance * Tolerance2587 Resentment * Forgiveness2588

Hate * Love/ConcernforOthers2589 HarmfulActs * GoodDeeds2590

Self-pity * Gratitude2591

Self-justification * Humility/Truth2592 Self-importance * Modesty2593

Self-condemnation * Self-forgiveness2594

Suspicion/Jealousy * Trust2595 Doubt * Faith/TrustinHPorGod2596

2597

672598

25992600260126022603

26042605



LEADER




LEADER



LEADER


26062607

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepTenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession26082609

! Writing2610

• HowwillactivelyworkingStepTeneverydayexpandmyspirituallifeandsupport2611long-termabstinence68?2612

• ReviewtheOATwelveandTwelve,StepTen:2613

o Beginningwith“Intakingdailyinventory,…”through“…allowingwounds2614tofester”(pp.87-88).2615

o Beginningwith“Apersistentefforttoletgoofourdefects…”through“…2616whateverwecantochange”(p.89).2617

o Beginningwith“Aswerepeatedlyactonstepten…”throughtheendofthe2618chapter(pp.89-90).2619

• WhatactionsdoIseemyselftakingtopracticeStepTen?2620

! Action2621

• ForguidanceinworkingStepTen,readtheBigBook69,chapter6,“IntoAction,”2622beginningwith“ThisthoughtbringsustoStepTen….”through“…isourcode”(p.262384).2624

• ChooseatimeandplacetowriteaStepTenDailyReview.MakecopiesoftheStep2625TenDailyReviewsoIcanfilloutoneeachdayfortherestoftheworkshop.Doingso2626willhelpmeestablishavitallifetimepractice.2627




• AssoonasIgetanuncomfortablefeeling—anger,fear,hurt,andsoon—takeaStep2628TenSpot-checkInventory.AsIprocessmyfeelings,refertotheStepTenSpot-check2629WorksheetandtotheSummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadings,asneeded.Make2630copiesoftheworksheetsoIcanquicklywritethisinventory.PracticethisSpot-2631checkInventoryfortherestoftheworkshop.Soonwewilllearntheprocesssowell2632thatwecanquicklydoitinourhead.2633

• Whentakinginventory,noticewhichcharacterdefects/traitsareinvolved—usually2634someformofselfishness,dishonesty,resentment,orfear.WhatdoIneedtodoin2635ordertoberidofthedefect/trait?2636

• WhenIfeelI’veharmedsomeone—especiallyifI’munclearaboutwhatamendsto2637make—discussthesituationwithmysponsor.2638

• Whenissuesarisethatneedclarificationduringinventory,discussthemwitha2639sponsor.2640

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepElevenSession702641

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepEleven(pp.91-98)2642

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepEleven(pp.96-105)2643

• BigBook71,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“StepElevensuggestsprayerand2644meditation….”through“…waywehavejustoutlined”(pp.85-88).2645

2646



StepElevenSession2647

SoughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwithGodas2648weunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforusandthepowerto2649carrythatout.2650

2651


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER

“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthoseofwhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”

LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER

“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingthe

2652

! Summary2653

LEADER2654

“TosummarizeourworkonStepTen,I’llreadpartofthelastparagraphofStepTenfrom2655theOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.89-90).2656

LEADERREADS2657

“Aswerepeatedlyactonstepten,webegintoseetheremarkablewaythe2658stepswill,fromnowon,continuetoremoveunnecessaryturmoilandpain2659fromourlives.Thenewattitudesofhonestyaboutourproblemsand2660surrendertoaPowergreaterthanourselveshavebecomeapartofusby2661now;theyarethebasisofeverychoicewemakeinourday-to-daylives.2662Reviewingourrecentbehavior,keepingourHigherPowerinchargeofour2663lives,askingforguidance,andpromptlyadmittingourerrors,becomesa2664saneandsatisfyingwayoflife—farbetterthannursingourfearsorbuilding2665afreshsetofresentmentstoharbor.Forcedtoadoptthisnewwayofcoping2666withlifeinordertorecoverfromcompulsiveeating,wenowfindourselves2667gratefulforthisprograminitsownright.”2668

LEADER2669

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepTen?HaveIcontinuedtotakeapersonal2670inventoryandwhenIwaswrong,promptlyadmittedit?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswitha2671sponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2672

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepEleven(upto45minutes)2673

LEADER2674

OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”


LEADER



“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepEleven:‘Soughtthroughprayerandmeditationto2675improveourconsciouscontactwithGodasweunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledge2676ofHiswillforusandthepowertocarryitout.’2677


“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage91.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2679beginningatthesecondparagraphwith‘InOAweshareabeliefthat…’through‘…when2680wefeeltheneedforguidance,strength,orserenity’onpage93?”2681


LEADER2683

“Accordingtothispassage,StepElevenembodiesfreedom,action,andpractice.Whatdo2684eachofthesewordsmeantousinthecontextofthisStep?”2685

LEADER2686



LEADER2690

“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage102.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2691beginningwith‘Inthemorning…’through‘…intentofStepEleven’onpage103?Please2692taketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2693


LEADER2695

“WhatistheintentofStepElevenandhowcanwepracticeit?2696



27002701270227032704

2705

2706! ReadingandWritingonStepElevenfromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2707

LEADER2708

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepEleven.NowwewillreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2709dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutesto2710writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2711

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage306?”2712


LEADER2714

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember4fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage309?”2715


LEADER2717



2720

2721


LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



LEADER2722



2726



LEADER



HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)

LEADER



LEADER


StepElevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2727

2728

! Writing2729

• ReviewtheBigBook73,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Inthinkingabout2730ourday…”through“…reallydoes”(pp.86-88).2731

• StepElevenisaboutlivinglifeonaspiritualbasisinsteadof“self-willrunriot”2732(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.62).WhatdoespracticingStepElevenmeantome2733inthoughtandaction?2734

• RefertotheOATwelveandTwelve,StepElevenbeginningwith“Stepelevenimplies2735thatthroughourpractice…”through“…ourHigherPowerinthefuture”(pp.97-273698.)2737

• WhataresomewaysinwhichIcanbegintorecognizemyHigherPower’swillfor2738me?2739

! Action2740

• IfIdonotyethavearegularStepElevenpracticeofprayerandmeditation,begin.2741TheOATwelveandTwelveadvisesusaboutbothprayerandmeditation:2742“RememberingthatourgoalistodevelopacloserconsciouscontactwithGod,2743prayerissimplywhatwedowhenwetalkwithourHigherPower…”(p.93)and2744“Theonlywaytodomeditationwrongisnottodoitatall”(p.96).Setasidealittle2745timeeverymorning,evenifitisonlyfiveminutes.Allowmyselftositcomfortably2746andquietly,andbegin.Makethisadailycommitment.Discussmypracticewithmy2747sponsororpartnerinrecovery.2748

! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTwelveSession742749

• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTwelve(pp.99-106)2750

• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTwelve(pp.106-125)275173 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.



• BigBook752752

• Chapter7,“WorkingWithOthers”(pp.89-103)2753

• AppendixII,“SpiritualExperience”(p.567-568)2754


StepTwelveSession2755

Havinghadaspiritualawakeningastheresultofthesesteps,wetriedtocarrythis2756messagetocompulsiveovereatersandtopracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.2757

2758


• SerenityPrayer

LEADER


LEADERREADS



LEADER




LEADER



• WorkshopGoal

LEADER

“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingthe

2759

! Summary2760

LEADER2761

“TosummarizeourworkonStepEleven,I’llreadanexcerptfromthelastparagraphof2762StepElevenfromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(p.98).2763

LEADERREADS2764

“OAswhohavemadeprayerandmeditationaregularpartoftheirliveshave2765foundaresourceforhealingandstrengthwhichcannotfail….OurHigher2766Poweristheonlysourceofhelpthatisalwaysavailabletous,alwaysstrong2767enoughtoliftusupandsetourfeetonthepathoflife.Prayerandmeditation2768areourlinkstothisunfailingsource.Practicedregularly,theyopenourlives2769tothecomfortwesoughtinfoodbutcouldneverfind.Throughprayerand2770meditationwealignourselveswithahigherspiritualPowerwhichgivesus2771everythingweneedtolivetoourfullestpotential.”2772

LEADER2773

“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulybeguntotakeStepEleven?AmIseekingthroughprayer2774andmeditationtoimprovemyconsciouscontactwithGodasIunderstandHim,praying2775onlyforknowledgeofHiswillformeandthepowertocarrythatout?’Pleaseshareabout2776thiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2777

! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTwelve(upto45minutes)2778

LEADER2779

“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTwelve:‘Havinghadaspiritualawakeningasthe2780resultofthesesteps,wetriedtocarrythismessagetocompulsiveovereatersandto2781practicetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.’2782

OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”


LEADER




“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage99.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2784fromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘…insteadofincompulsiveeating’onpage100?2785Pleasefollowalong.”2786


LEADER2788

“Haveyouexperiencedanykindofspiritualawakening?Whatwasitlike?2789



LEADER2793

“PleaseopentheBigBook76topage89.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthefirsttwo2794paragraphsofthechapter,through‘…brightspotofourlives’?Pleasefollowalong.”2795


LEADER2797

“Thinkabouthowwehavebeenhelpedbyothersinthisprogram.Therearemanywaysto2798helpothers,includingsponsoring,leadingameeting,makingoutreachcalls,anddoing2799servicebeyondthegrouplevel.Howdoyouplantohelpothers?2800



280428052806

2807

2808

2809


2810

! ReadingandWritingonStepTwelvefromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2811

LEADER2812

“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTwelve.WewillnowreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2813dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutesto2814writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2815

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage336?” 2816


LEADER2818



LEADER2821



LEADER2824




LEADER



! Break(10minutes)

LEADER



77 2827

! WorkshopSummary(10minutes)2828

LEADER2829

“Congratulationstousall!WithguidancefromourHigherPowerandhelpfromeachother,2830wedidit.WeperseveredandcompletedourworkshopontheTwelveSteps!Thisprocess2831requiredthegraceofourHigherPowerandmanyofourstrengths:honesty,open-2832mindedness,willingness,tenacity,dedication,faith,hope,andtrust.Ourexperiencewill2833serveuswellasweworkourprogramdaily,committedtoabstinence78andtosponsoring2834othercompulsiveeaters!2835

“WenevergraduatefromOvereatersAnonymousandweneverstopworkingtheSteps—2836especiallyaswelivedailyinStepsTen,Eleven,andTwelve.Ourprimarypurposeas2837membersofOAistoabstainfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorsandto2838carrythemessageofrecoverythroughtheTwelveStepsofOAtothosewhostillsuffer—2839and,asearlyAAmembersdiscovered,doingsoisthewaytomaintainourownrecovery.2840

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthelasttwoparagraphsofStepTwelvefromtheOATwelve2841andTwelve(p.106)?Pleasefollowalong.”2842

[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]284377 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)



LEADER



LEADER2844

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthelasttwoparagraphsof“AVisionforYou”fromtheBig2845Book,79endingwith‘MayGodblessyouandkeepyou—untilthen’?(p.164)”2846


LEADER2848

“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadpage146fromtheOATwelveandTwelve,beginningwith2849‘Traditionfiveremindsus….’through‘…livingbyOAprinciples’onpage147?”2850


LEADER2852

“OA’sResponsibilityPledgestates:2853

‘AlwaystoextendthehandandheartofOAtoallwhosharemycompulsion;2854forthisIamresponsible.’2855

WillIcarrythismessagetoothercompulsiveeatersandpracticethesePrinciplesinallmy2856affairs?Ifso,pleasestandandsay‘YES!’”2857

! HomeworkAssignments2858

LEADER2859

“Thisisthelastsessionofourworkshop,sothereisnohomework.Buttherearequestions2860andreadingssuggestedtohelpuscontinueourongoingStepwork.Therearealwaysmore2861stepstotakeinourjourneyandincarryingthemessageofrecovery.Werecommenddaily2862work,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharetheworkwithasponsororpartnerin2863recovery,anothermemberofthisworkshop,andfellowOAmembers.”2864


2866

79 In this workshop, we refer to the book Alcoholics Anonymous as the Big Book. The page numbers cited are for the Fourth Edition.

2867

! Closing(2minutes)

LEADER



LEADERREADS


StepTwelveSessionAssignments2868

2869

! Reading802870

• OATwelveandTwelve,TraditionFive(pp.145-151)2871

• BigBook81,chapter11,“AVisionforYou”(pp.151-164)2872

! Writing2873

• SinceIamthemessage,howcanIcarrythemessagetothebestofmyability2874physically,emotionally,andspiritually?2875

• AsIpracticethePrinciplesoftheprogram,howdoIact,think,andfeel?2876

• Havingcompletedthisworkshop,Iamreadytosponsor!HowamIgoingtouse2877whatIhavelearnedtobeabettersponsor?2878

• WhatsupportwouldIneedtofacilitatethisworkshopforothercompulsiveeaters2879whowantrecovery?2880

2881


81 In this workshop, we refer to the book Alcoholics Anonymous as the Big Book. The page numbers cited are for the Fourth Edition.


StepTwelveSessionActions:NextSteps2882

Whatarethenextstepswecantakeindoingserviceforourgroup,ourintergroup(IG),our2883region,andtheOAWorldServiceBusinessConference(WSBC)?Workwithasponsorto2884createanactionplan.Includesuchitemsas:2885

! Giveserviceattheindividual,group,andservicebodylevels.2886

• Stayabstinent!AbstinenceisaservicetoourselvesandtotheFellowship.2887

• Facilitatethisworkshop.2888

• UsetheStrongMeetingsChecklistandWritingExercise.2889

• Leadorvolunteertospeakatmeetings.2890

• Attendourhomegroup’sbusinessmeetings.2891

• Takeaservicepositioninourhomegroup.2892

• “CallFive!Keep’emalive!”(Callmemberswhomissedthegroupmeetingtosay2893“Hi!”)2894

• IncreaseourSeventhTraditioncontributiontosupportOA’smissiontocarrythe2895messageofrecoverytothestill-sufferingcompulsiveeater.(Rememberthecostof2896ourlastbinge.)2897

• Callorofferridestonewcomers.2898

• Sponsoranewcomer.2899

• Representourgroupatintergroupmeetings.2900

• Joinanintergroupcommittee.2901

• Takeaservicepositioninourintergroup.2902

• QualifyandvolunteertobeaWSBCdelegate.2903

• SubscribetoLifeline.2904

• WritestoriesforLifeline.2905

• AskourhomegrouptopurchaseaLifelinesubscription.2906

• Chairorco-chairanOArecoveryeventorretreat.2907

• Qualifyandvolunteertobearegionrepresentative.2908

! Familiarizeourselveswithoa.organdsharesuchinformationas:2909

• OAvirtualservices,suchaspodcastsandvirtualworkshops.2910

• Sourcesofrecordedspeakers.2911

• SuggestedMeetingFormats.2912

• What’sinOA’sbookstore.2913

• Guidelinesforservicebodies.2914

• Local(face-to-face),online,andphonemeetingdirectories.2915

• Freediscontinuedliterature.2916

• AStepAheadnewsletter,availableasafreedownload.2917

• Guidelinesforservicepositions.2918

• What’shappeningatWSBC.LookontheWorldServiceEventspageonoa.org.2919

! IntroduceOAtoourhealthcareprofessionals—doctor,dietician,dentist,2920therapist,andothers.2921

• Shareourrecovery:physical,emotional,andspiritual.2922

• OffertheIntroducingOAtoHealthCareProfessionalspamphlet.2923

• OfferacopyoftheProfessionalCommunityCouriernewsletter,availablefrom2924bookstore.oa.orgorasafreedownloadonoa.org.2925

• Volunteerifwequalifyoroffertohelpfindaspeakerforaprofessionalassociation2926meeting.2927

• OfferasubscriptiontoLifelinemagazineforthewaitingroom.2928

• Keepthemsuppliedwithlocalmeetingdirectories.2929

• InvitethemtoanopenOAmeeting.2930

TheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous

1. Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—thatourliveshadbecomeunmanageable.

2. CametobelievethataPowergreaterthanourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.

3. MadeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlivesovertothecareofGodasweunderstoodHim.

4. Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.5. AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanotherhumanbeingtheexactnature

ofourwrongs.6. WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveallthesedefectsofcharacter.7. HumblyaskedHimtoremoveourshortcomings.8. Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedandbecamewillingtomake

amendstothemall.9. Madedirectamendstosuchpeoplewhereverpossible,exceptwhentodoso

wouldinjurethemorothers.10. Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptly

admittedit.11. Soughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwith

GodasweunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforusandthepowertocarrythatout.

12. HavinghadaspiritualawakeningastheresultoftheseSteps,wetriedtocarrythismessagetocompulsiveovereatersandtopracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.

PermissiontousetheTwelveStepsofAlcoholicsAnonymousforadaptationgrantedbyAAWorldServices,Inc.SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveStepsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveSteps.

StepOne:HonestyStepTwo:HopeStepThree:FaithStepFour:CourageStepFive:IntegrityStepSix:WillingnessStepSeven:HumilityStepEight:Self-disciplineStepNine:LoveStepTen:PerseveranceStepEleven:SpiritualAwarenessStepTwelve:Service

TheTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous1. Ourcommonwelfareshouldcomefirst;personalrecoverydependsuponOA

unity.2. Forourgrouppurposethereisbutoneultimateauthority—alovingGodas

HemayexpressHimselfinourgroupconscience.Ourleadersarebuttrustedservants;theydonotgovern.

3. TheonlyrequirementforOAmembershipisadesiretostopeatingcompulsively.

4. EachgroupshouldbeautonomousexceptinmattersaffectingothergroupsorOAasawhole.

5. Eachgrouphasbutoneprimarypurpose—tocarryitsmessagetothecompulsiveovereaterwhostillsuffers.

6. AnOAgroupoughtneverendorse,financeorlendtheOAnametoanyrelatedfacilityoroutsideenterprise,lestproblemsofmoney,propertyandprestigedivertusfromourprimarypurpose.

7. EveryOAgroupoughttobefullyself-supporting,decliningoutsidecontributions.

8. OvereatersAnonymousshouldremainforevernon-professional,butourservicecentersmayemployspecialworkers.

9. OA,assuch,oughtneverbeorganized;butwemaycreateserviceboardsorcommitteesdirectlyresponsibletothosetheyserve.

10. OvereatersAnonymoushasnoopiniononoutsideissues;hencetheOAnameoughtneverbedrawnintopubliccontroversy.

11. Ourpublicrelationspolicyisbasedonattractionratherthanpromotion;weneedalwaysmaintainpersonalanonymityatthelevelofpress,radio,films,televisionandotherpublicmediaofcommunication.

12. AnonymityisthespiritualfoundationofalltheseTraditions,everremindingustoplaceprinciplesbeforepersonalities.

PermissiontousetheTwelveTraditionsofAlcoholicsAnonymousforadaptationgrantedbyAAWorldServices,Inc.SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveTraditionsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveTraditions.

TraditionOne:UnityTraditionTwo:TrustTraditionThree:IdentityTraditionFour:AutonomyTraditionFive:PurposeTraditionSix:SolidarityTraditionSeven:ResponsibilityTraditionEight:FellowshipTraditionNine:StructureTraditionTen:Neutrality

TraditionEleven:AnonymityTraditionTwelve:Spirituality

TheTwelveConceptsofOAService

1. TheultimateresponsibilityandauthorityforOAworldservicesresideinthecollectiveconscienceofourwholeFellowship.

2. TheOAgroupshavedelegatedtoWorldServiceBusinessConferencetheactivemaintenanceofourworldservices;thus,WorldServiceBusinessConferenceisthevoice,authorityandeffectiveconscienceofOAasawhole.

3. Therightofdecision,basedontrust,makeseffectiveleadershippossible.4. Therightofparticipationensuresequalityofopportunityforallinthe

decision-makingprocess.5. Individualshavetherightofappealandpetitioninordertoensurethattheir

opinionsandpersonalgrievanceswillbecarefullyconsidered.6. TheWorldServiceBusinessConferencehasentrustedtheBoardofTrustees

withtheprimaryresponsibilityfortheadministrationofOvereatersAnonymous.

7. TheBoardofTrusteeshaslegalrightsandresponsibilitiesaccordedtothembyOABylaws,SubpartA;therightsandresponsibilitiesoftheWorldServiceBusinessConferenceareaccordedtoitbyTraditionandbyOABylaws,SubpartB.

8. TheBoardofTrusteeshasdelegatedtoitsExecutiveCommitteetheresponsibilitytoadministertheOAWorldServiceOffice.

9. Able,trustedservants,togetherwithsoundandappropriatemethodsofchoosingthem,areindispensableforeffectivefunctioningatallservicelevels.

10. Serviceresponsibilityisbalancedbycarefullydefinedserviceauthority;therefore,duplicationofeffortsisavoided.

11. TrusteeadministrationoftheWorldServiceOfficeshouldalwaysbeassistedbythebeststandingcommittees,executives,staffsandconsultants.

12. ThespiritualfoundationforOAserviceensuresthat:a. NoOAcommitteeorservicebodyshalleverbecometheseatof

perilouswealthorpower;b. Sufficientoperatingfunds,plusanamplereserve,shallbeOA’s

prudentfinancialprinciple;c. NoOAmembershalleverbeplacedinapositionofunqualified

authority;d. Allimportantdecisionsshallbereachedbydiscussion,voteand,

wheneverpossible,bysubstantialunanimity;e. Noserviceactionshalleverbepersonallypunitiveoranincitementto

publiccontroversy;andf. NoOAservicecommitteeorserviceboardshalleverperformanyacts

ofgovernment,andeachshallalwaysremaindemocraticinthoughtandaction.

SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveConceptsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveConcepts.

ConceptOne:UnityConceptTwo:ConscienceConceptThree:TrustConceptFour:EqualityConceptFive:ConsiderationConceptSix:ResponsibilityConceptSeven:BalanceConceptEight:DelegationConceptNine:AbilityConceptTen:ClarityConceptEleven:HumilityConceptTwelve:

Selflessness(b)Realism(c)Representation(d)Dialogue(e)Compassion(f)Respect

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