The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process. Spiritual Principal: Equality.
I can remember serving on a board in my community one time and feeling so frustrated. Eventually I walked away from everything because of its toxicity affecting my mental health. I felt the silencing of voices and feeling unheard. It really affected the goals and mission we had set out. I felt very powerless to change anyone’s opinions. Personalities clashed and it really, really tainted me from ever becoming a part of any board going forward. I have to be honest. I wanted my way like everyone else. Definitely not an atmosphere to promote anything but hostility.
Things are so different now.
In being recovered and living in the Steps daily, I have learned how to clear away the crap this crazy compulsive overeater can conger up in her head. When something disturbs me about another, I look at it honestly and find my part in it. I take whatever action I need to clear it away. In living in the Steps, my personal recovery keeps improving daily. I get to know myself and recognize what needs to be changed in me.
I learned about the Traditions too when I began to work with others. I needed to learn a healthy way to be around them. It sure keeps my sanity in being able to not overreact when things happen. I take that pause. I see the situation though the principles of my program and I can act accordingly by living n the very Steps that are my way of living. The solution to all my problems today.
Once doing service above the group level, the Concepts of service brought everything together. When I am in a large group of individuals with various different personalities and ideas, it takes a lot of patience tolerance kindness and love on my part to not resort back into my old ways. if not for the Concepts, Traditions and Steps: OA would fall away.
Everyone has the right to participation. We are all equals, no one is above the other and all our opinions matter. If we don’t stop and listen with an open heart to everyone around the table, how can we learn from another? Allowing each person a voice, we can offer a place for the opportunity to speak and be heard. And with an informed conversation can make the best decision for the whole group. Equality surely fosters a fertile ground for growth.
This really has taught me to be a listener in my life and allow others to give their opinions as well as give my own. This sometimes can be very difficult. My ego can be evoked. I pause and I listen. I consider what is being said with an open mind. We all are equals and are deserving to be heard. I am learning the art of communication and being respectful of others. Being the message and what HP would have me be. Equality comes about by practicing this Concept, one day at a time.
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The experience, strength, and hope expressed in this article, reflect the individual OA members and does not represent OA as a whole. Other OA groups and service bodies are welcome to reprint articles from Experience, Strength & Hope Newsletter without permission. When reprinting from other OA newsletters, be sure to credit the source.
