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What Do You Mean By "Doing the
Footwork"? ~ by Lisa Soon after I
got into OA I heard "Let go and let God." Later it was "Just do the
footwork." I tried to understand how I was suppose to turn things over
to my Higher Power, but also do the footwork. I couldn't figure it
out. What was the difference between taking back control of something
and just "doing the footwork"?
Eventually I did come to understand. Awareness came with one of the
first loving acts I started to do for myself. I started to wear my lap
belt when I drove. I have the automatic shoulder strap seat belt in my
car, but for years I would never use the lap belt. I figured, "Oh well,
I want to die anyway, why bother." My husband would remind me to put it
on when I was in the car with him. Occasionally I would do so just to
appease him, but I never told him my thoughts.
Soon after working the steps I began using my seat belt. Amazing!
Sometimes I would reach down and touch it just to remind myself that,
yes I do love and care for myself. That was such a difficult sentence
to say to myself the first time. Eventually I started saying, "See HP,
I'm doing the footwork." It was comforting to know that I was taking
some positive action on my part, and communicating with my HP too. I
remember the old-timer's saying "Faith without works is dead."
Eventually I began doing a lot more things as I started working the
steps that would be considered "the footwork". I found myself making my
bed in the morning, I pulled the drapes, I began answering the phone,
sometimes I even placed the calls! I continued using the other tools of
the program: meetings, literature, writing, anonymity, and service. I
used the tool of sponsorship and got a sponsor. Soon I became a
sponsor. Though I was releasing weight, I still struggled with the tool
of "plan of eating".
When I lost my sponsor I had to be vulnerable once more and reach out
again and get another sponsor. This asking for help part was really
hard for me. But I said I would go to any length, right? Still God
works in his own way and his own time. Most recently, with the help of
my new sponsor, I started developing and using a plan of eating that
was right for me and all my allergies.
But the most important action, and the hardest, I took was I asking for
help when I need it. Whether it's from my sponsor, another OA'er, or
my HP. Now that's doing the footwork. And it keeps me abstinent.
These days I always use my lap belt. When I do so I feel the love of my
HP returned.
Such a small gesture, putting on a lap belt, but now it contains so much
significance. It's like a quick little prayer or meditation. Plus it
makes me realize how far I have come in this program.
Recovery Slogan: If God is your co-pilot, SWITCH SEATS! ~ Anonymous
For OA people of color, here is a link for additional stories:
http://ebonyoa.home.att.net/stories.htm |
