In January, I read Tradition One. I was reminded that whether at a local meeting, an Intergroup meeting, a Regional Assembly, or the World Service Conference, we are guided to keep OA as a whole utmost in our minds. I can remember one World Service Business Conference. I took some quiet time right before voting to pray for the right course of action that would be most beneficial for our entire Fellowship. As a member of OA, voting at every level was and still is a responsibility I take seriously. At the group level we are asked to follow our meeting format.
We are reminded to respect our group guidelines; the length of time we share, no crosstalk, and the list goes on. On page 92 of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd edition, it states, “We may want to talk for longer than is suggested or we may feel that we “just have to share our advice…” however, Tradition One tells us to curb our impulses for the sake of the group.”
The first Tradition, also, makes it our responsibility to lovingly remind members if the group conscience is being ignored. Unity is the spiritual principle of Tradition One. Unity does not mean uniformity. We can listen to others with open minds and learn to express ourselves without insisting that everyone must do things our way.
The beauty of Tradition One as well as all the Traditions is that we can apply their principles to our lives both inside and outside of OA. We are connected to our fellow human beings. Our emotional and spiritual health depends on the health of our relationships. We can practice Unity to help keep our meetings and our lives strong.
By Barbara
Source: https://www.oacfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-01_newsletter.pdf (p.18)
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