Tomorrow will be ten months that I have been abstinent.
There are many things I have come to love about this program. I have made friends from around the world by having my home group and intergroup be part of the virtual region. Being part of a team who does service for a meeting let me get to know people beyond the three minute share they give during the meeting. We talked about ourselves and what was going on in our lives while finalizing who would be leading, who would be screen sharing, timekeeping etc. as the time for the meeting to begin got closer. When I was initially anxious about doing service, afraid that I would make a mistake, I was reminded that everyone makes mistakes and it’s no big deal.
Then I joined a committee and have weekly interactions with others who believe in giving back to OA by devoting a good deal of time to being of service. They inspire me to do the best I can and they support me when I’m not feeling well and can’t be at a meeting. Someone covers for me and it’s not the end of the world. It has been tough learning to be as kind and caring toward myself as I am to others but it’s slowly happening. My Higher Power made me perfectly imperfect and my OA family accepts me just the way I am.
Being neurodivergent has always made social situations uncomfortable for me and I don’t make friends easily but in OA I have found people who are like me in so many ways. It’s nice to not have to explain myself. Being a sponsor and continuing to work my program gives structure to my days. Recently I helped to start a new meeting and it’s been an exciting project, working with my OA friends to make this meeting happen three times a week.
For me, giving back to my OA community gives me so much more. More confidence, more connection to my fellows, better self esteem and a desire to keep doing good for people, including myself.
-Denise, USA
©2026 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
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