Great question.
When I first joined OA, I didn't tell a soul what I was doing. I still had a lot of shame wrapped up in my compulsive overeating, and I wasn't ready to share it with anyone. Once I found some freedom and peace, I wanted to tell the whole world, and I'm sure I talked off many people's ears who really didn't want so much personal information.
Today, I share about OA when my higher power puts it on my heart. I've learned that some people are threatened by 12 step programs, some people are judgmental about anything ending in "anonymous", and some people really only want to know if it's a magic, instant cure that they can get too. When God sends someone my way to share OA with, I can feel it. I start out openly, and honestly by explaining that I'm a compulsive overeater, and that with the help of OA, I am recovering. If they want to know more, they'll ask questions.
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