Service: Any form of service—no matter how small—that helps reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our own recovery. Members who are new to OA can give service by attending meetings, sharing, and putting away chairs. All members can also give service by putting out literature, welcoming newcomers, hosting a virtual meeting, or doing whatever is needed to help the group. Members who meet specified requirements can give service beyond the group level by serving at the intergroup, service board, region, or world service level.
Recently, I re-read the Big Book chapter, “A Vision for You.” Its theme is that giving service to others will become the substitute for the “Four Horsemen”: Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, and Despair. The fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous will create meaning and satisfaction in our lives.
As with most sweeping promises in the Big Book, in my newcomer’s head I resisted. “Prove it,” I thought inwardly. I would not believe that the answers to my “little food problem” (not so little, but my denial was rampant) involved becoming less selfish, a.k.a., more spiritual. I did not give any service as a newcomer, preferring staying on the sidelines, letting others take on tasks to keep the meeting going, sitting in my chair quietly so others could fix me.
The progression of the illness of compulsive eating opened my mind. The pain of returning to binging and starving, over and over again, made me willing to pick up all the tools. Service was an antidote to self-centeredness, the foundation of my disease. Service also was like getting a flu shot—immunity, a protection against the deadliness of compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors.
The first type of service I signed up for was lugging an old blue plastic suitcase filled with OA literature from the closet to the meeting room. I did that for probably a year. I was not abstinent, and ashamed of that, but putting the literature out gave me a little sense of worth.
Over the years, I have volunteered at the meeting level to be treasurer, secretary, leader, speaker getter. These tasks helped me cultivate humility. OA became less of a “they” program and more of a “we” program. I heard a speaker on an OA podcast say, “If you want to increase self-esteem, do esteem able acts.” Service does just that.
I have noticed that the last couple of times I’ve worked through all 12 steps, by the time I finish with step 12, I can’t help but pick up another service opportunity. I have a desire to give back what has been so freely given to me.
One last thing, I heard fellows in the program promote the tool of service with the saying, “Service is slimming.” As a restrictor as well as a compulsive overeater, that didn’t resonate. But I do connect with a saying regarding the 7th tradition: “Give as if your life depends on it.” Giving service continues to save my life, a day at a time.
Colleen