Meetings

[Biscuits]

Hi all

Can't wait to get back to my meeting tonight, i've never missed two meetings in a row in the 10 years i've been attending OA and i have really felt the effect of this.

Made lots of phone calls last night, letting people know how much they mean to me and thanking them for their support over the last few years. Without their help and their attendance at the meetings i would struggle.

I used to get resentful that there was only one meeting a week that i could attend when i heard stories of people who attend lots of meetings but i am truly thankful that this meeting exists. It is a safe haven from all the crap that i have to deal with in life and my fellow sisters whom i truly love show they understand where i am coming from by responding to my struggles with love and hugs.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has given me support since i joint SB and to send you my love and lots of cyber hugsssssssssssss

[Neagrm]

Hi, Biscuits! It's so nice to see you here. Yes, getting to meetings is the most helpful thing and I'm glad you'll be able to go tonight.

I would love to hear about your meeting and how it goes and what it's like to be back, helpful topcis they discuss, or whatever; of course, only if it doesn't break confidentiality.

It sounds like you're really counting your blessings, a great thing I need to do more often.

Hugs,
Nea

[BigSis]

Me, too! Me, too!

I've only been to my one meeting, and we purposely formed to concentrate on the 12- and 12 (OA), and not (for today) on a particular food plan.

So - how is YOUR meeting structured? topics?

[Biscuits]

I guess i don't always realise how lucky i am when it comes to my meeting, i have a great bunch of fellow sisters to rely on, some who have been around for a number of years and whom i have built fantastic relationships with over this time.

Our meeting is great, we have a monthly structure that was voted in at a group conscience some years ago and it works well for us.

1st week we study a step
2nd week we discuss a topic (denial, honesty, shame, guilt, fear, resentment etc)
3rd week we have group conscience and study a tradition
4th week we read OA literature
5th week (if there is one) we invite a speaker to the meeting either from OA or AA to share experience strength and hope

The last part of our meeting each week is put open for members to share their own experience, strength and hope from the week.

Last nights meeting was brilliant, we had a newcomer which is always great so we focused on welcoming her to our meeting.

It always feels like i am among family when i am at my meeting, my friends know me so well, in fact they know me better than my birth family and are always there with hugs and love when i need them something i did not and do not get from my family.

[Neagrm]

Wow, it sounds like a wonderfully supportive and healthy group. I feel similarly about the Al-Anon group I go to locally. We also have a similar format, with the five-week months celebrating recovery birthdays, each birthday person first presented by a few words from their sponsor. :-)

It would be nice to have an OA focus group, too, but I'll soak up what I can. It's such a great help to have those kinds of friends. I don't know what I'd do without them.

I'm so glad you have that group, Biscuits!

[Biscuits]

Hi Neagrm

Just a thought but have you ever considered starting an OA group, thats what i did when i realised that i was kinda sick of travelling great distances to get to a meeting. I was greatful for these meetings but i didn't like travelling by myself alone at night and in the dark.