Growth is Taking Responsibility and Being Self-supporting

Growth is Taking Responsibility and Being Self-supporting

Tradition Seven: Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

“Taking responsibility is a meaningful sign of spiritual and emotional growth.”
— Voices of Recovery, September 8.

When a basket gets passed at a meeting or the meeting treasurer posts a donation link in the chat window, it reminds me that this program exists because of the contributions of its members, and I have a responsibility to give in my turn as well. When I can give money, I give money, but there have been times over the years where I couldn’t give as much as I wanted to. So I gave time by taking service positions. Being self-supporting keeps us strong and free of outside influences. Applying this tradition to my own life, I have worked hard to be self-supporting there too. Certainly I need the support of loving friends during difficult times, and I lean heavily on my Higher Power all the time, but even then, I have a responsibility to do my part. I need to pick up the phone. I need to share what’s going on. I need to be willing to do the work, even if it’s just a tiny bit. I need to show up. I am grateful this tradition exists to keep our meetings going and help me keep going too.

Journal Prompt: How does this tradition apply to my own life? Am I taking responsibility? If not, why not? Have I contributed to the OASV Intergroup to help ensure that all our meetings continue and sustain?

Consider making a (recurring) monthly contribution so we may continue to help the still suffering compulsive eater. Contribute now to OASV Intergroup via PayPal – click here!

Please send your blog submissions to blog@oasv.org. We look forward to hearing from you
and to sharing your story of experience, strength and hope with others on this amazing journey of OA recovery from compulsive eating through the Twelve Steps.