Grand Adventures
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
August 2026
"May your journey be, like mine, an adventure carrying you out of the pain to a new way of life better than you have dared to imagine.” -Denise's Story, ABA Book, pg. 240
It’s August, and many of us are looking forward to or desiring a much-needed break. We welcome the chance to travel, to take a physical or a mental vacation from our everyday routines and obligations. We feel a pull to shake things up a bit and explore something new; to enjoy a fresh experience. And also, there are some of us that may wonder, "Are we ready to experience a new adventure?"
In this issue, we explore how our journey through recovery mirrors the Grand Adventure of life. Each of us experiences a multitude of mini-adventures regardless of how we feel or the meaning we may initially give to them. These days of endurance, discovery and adventure become our stories.
The grand—and not-so-grand—adventure of recovery began for most of us when we entered the rooms of ABA. Most of us did not arrive excited nor optimistic about doing the things it would take to heal from addiction; we came carrying plenty of baggage. Without the right belongings, it was hard to imagine embarking on a truly meaningful journey that would lead us in a new direction, one towards peace and freedom from our eating disorder(s).
Yet as we attended ABA meetings and listened to others share, we discovered we were not alone—many carried the same luggage. We began to recognize our fear, resistance, and defiance. Over time, we saw others further along the path who had stronger resources. From them, we learned about the Tools—and saw how they used them (see ABA book, Chapter 13, Tools of Recovery).
As we participated in our recovery, we came to know a Higher Power who offered us the grace of a new life. We became aware that we had a choice: we no longer had to follow the same path. We were ready to choose a new adventure.
Always, and this month especially, may we be open to the adventure our Higher Power is inviting us on.
We encourage you to read or listen to the stories found in Part II of our ABA text as our members share their Grand Adventure(s) of experience, strength and hope.
Our book [First Edition] sums it up beautifully when they introduce this section on pg. 200,
“Some of the people in the following pages have long-term sobriety; others are relative newcomers. Regardless of length of recovery, the key to our healing has been the development of a relationship with a Higher Power, and each of our members has her own unique experience of that process. We offer you our portrayal on that adventure as our gift to you. May you be blessed in the reading of these tales.”
"Higher Power/God, help me to set aside everything I think I know for I have an open mind and open heart to have a new adventure today. "
"Give me the courage to take a leap of faith!"
Personal Reflection: A truly Grand Adventure!
Prior to writing this, describing my recovery as a “grand adventure” seemed like quite a stretch, even with a newfound optimism. But then I reached for my dictionary, as those before me in this Program have taught me to do when I struggle with a word or phrase. Here’s what I found:
Grand: large, striking, or impressive in size, appearance, or style; the most important or highest in rank.
Adventure: an exciting, unusual, and sometimes risky experience or undertaking, often involving bold action, an uncertain outcome, and the exploration of new places or ideas.
Well, it’s undeniable: recovery is a large part of my life; it strikes me often with humility and fresh revelation; and I am frequently impressed by the size, appearance, and style of sobriety in the rooms.
Recovery is, indeed, the most important thing, my highest priority.
It’s certainly been my experience that getting sober and staying sober requires a willingness to do some very exciting (read: terrifying), unusual, and even risky things.
Find people who actually understand — even share — my insane obsessions? Who are somehow free from this disease? Incredible! Spend multiple nights a week reading literature in and out of meetings? Not exactly typical. Surrender control of food, exercise, body weight, shape, and so much else to some abstract Power? Quite the leap!
And as a newcomer, the Steps sure seemed like a series of bold actions with uncertain outcomes, venturing into hitherto unexplored places and ideas.
Admit powerlessness? Turn over my will and my life? Get a sponsor? Go on meal support? “Bold” doesn’t go far enough. The only assurance I had that my problem would be removed was the experience of others, and my ego had me pegged as the exception. Only through sheer desperation (and intervention from a God whose attentions were surely better spent elsewhere) did I become willing to reconsider a few things. The scale is NOT my friend? Human value is INHERENT, not earned? Snacks aren’t OPTIONAL? I AM GOOD ENOUGH??? These were uncharted waters.
One key part of this grand adventure has been what I must — and get to — leave behind. Punishing workouts. Tasteless zero-calorie dupes. Shapewear. Heart monitors. Lies upon lies. Fear-driven compulsions.
But the best part? The people taking this grand adventure with, beside, ahead, and behind me. That’s you, my fellows — you’re the best. Thank you for my recovery.
-Alison E.,CAN
An invitation to see your life as an Adventure
Can you describe a time(s) that your Higher Power has shown up for you on your adventure(s) of recovery?
[Getting sober (especially giving up exercise) was the most difficult thing I have ever done. The withdrawal was extremely painful. I was terrified to surrender control of my food and body shape. I was jittery, irritable, short-tempered, and felt like a total emotional mess.]
"Nevertheless, with the support of friends, family, and sponsor, I made it through those difficult days. I had to learn to trust in a Higher Power, and working the Steps led to that trust—just enough to get me through each sober day, one at a time.
In time, I started working with other anorexics and bulimics, and we started a meeting in the city where I lived. I continued to work with a sponsor and go through the Twelve Steps, sometimes at a snail’s pace. My basic introverted nature made it difficult for me to do the work of recovery much of the time. Some days it was a struggle to call my sponsor or go to a meeting. Most days I had no real desire to do my Step work or pick up the phone. Nevertheless, I had made a decision at the beginning of this process to do whatever was suggested, however distasteful, by the women I trusted—especially my sponsor. Looking back from the vantage point of today, I see that I made that decision only by the grace of a Higher Power. I am still getting to know that Power, and this is quite an adventure."
-Lauren (from Lauren's Story, ABA 2nd Edition, pg. 271)
How is your Higher Power calling you to join them on this great adventure?
I often hear my Higher Power's voice through music. My favorite, most inspirational recovery song is actually called, The Great Adventure. Below are words from the chorus and a link to the song. I love to roll down my windows, crank up the volume and rock out singing along!
-Anonymous
"Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life...
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for"
Committee Connections- Aren't they grand?!
PI (Public Information) :
The Keeping it Real Workshop is available by contribution on our website.
Website Update & News
ABA Is Now on Instagram!
NEW! Follow us on Instagram for your
daily recovery boost!
Quotes, resources, inspiration and more.
@aba12steps
A Message from our GSR
We had an amazing first Community Conversation Meeting on July 8th. 35 people showed up!!!! We had great participation and there was a lot of good information that was shared. Please come be apart of our next meeting on August 8th. See the flyer at the end of this section for details and Kate's contact info.
Here is a link for the July 8th recording:
Password is recovery4life
Summary of July Meeting
Key Outcomes
The first ABA community conversation drew 35 members internationally to discuss two core topics: how to better hear the membership's voice, and how to strengthen GSR participation. No decisions were made; the session was purely for listening and gathering input. Recurring themes included the need for simpler feedback channels, stronger sponsorship culture, and a GSR structure that better fits a small, predominantly online fellowship. A second session is planned for August covering the same two topics.
Decisions Made
No votes or formal decisions taken; meeting was explicitly scoped as a listening session
Next session (August): Repeat the same two discussion topics before moving to topics 3 and 4 in September/October
Breakout rooms not used; full-group format worked well for ~35 attendees
Key Themes Raised
Membership Voice
Many members unaware of the GSR role, its purpose, or the difference between a "meeting" and a "group"
Strong support for digital feedback tools (e.g., Survey Monkey, website feedback form, newsletter surveys) as simpler alternatives to relying solely on GSRs
Sponsorship identified as the primary channel through which members learn service, traditions, and participation — but sponsors are hard to find and many eligible members hesitate due to perfectionism and fear
Fellowship time (before/after meetings) cited as critical for connection, retention, and willingness to sponsor or serve
Old-timers leaving the fellowship noted as a recurring loss of institutional knowledge and sponsorship capacity
GSR Structure
Only ~4–8 of ~14 appointed GSRs participate regularly; half of ABA's ~40 gatherings are "meetings" ineligible to elect a GSR
Sobriety requirements for GSR seen as a significant barrier, especially in a fellowship where members with longer sobriety often drift away
Key Themes Raised Continued....
Suggestion to question whether the GSR model is the right fit for ABA, or whether it should be simplified, renamed (e.g., "ABA Messenger"), or replaced with a lighter structure
Joan clarified the formal distinction: a group has elected officers, regular business meetings with minutes, and a GSR; a meeting does not — and only group members can vote on fellowship-wide issues
Rotating the GSR role within a group conscience (rather than one person committing for a year) proposed as a practical workaround
Pending Confirmation
Whether to create a simplified newcomer welcome/starter pack explaining GSR, service structure, and sobriety in plain language
Whether to establish a WhatsApp group for broader fellowship connection outside meetings (flagged as needing more discussion before launch)
Whether to launch sponsorship workshops and tradition/sobriety education sessions at the GSR or fellowship level
Feedback form to be sent to today's attendees on how the session went
Open Questions
Should the meeting/group distinction be revised or simplified for a fellowship of ABA's size?
How can ABA better understand why old-timers stop attending (exit interview concept raised)?
How should GSR-gathered insights flow back to the board and the Pulse Committee survey?
Action Items
Kate (GSR): Compile chat and transcript; produce summary of key themes for the board and GSR 435
OM (Kheri): Send transcript and chat log to Kate; meet with Kate next week to plan August session
Kate + GSR team: Develop a feedback/survey mechanism (website form or newsletter-linked survey)
GSR team: Share session recording with full fellowship; encourage board members to listen
All GSRs/sponsors: Begin shoulder-tapping members for service; communicate that low/no sobriety requirements exist for many positions
ABA 2026 Retreat Update
Living Sober: United in the UK
Our ABA Retreat is fast approaching with just two months to go! 👏
Have you been thinking of coming along? Please join us, there are still places and three subsidies available.
We can look forward to speakers, workshops, meditations, emotion regulation support, crafts and games night, pajama party and more.
The Retreat Schedule is now live on the ABA website on the events page. Please be aware you would need to click, ‘read more'; we don’t want you to miss it.
We would love for you to click on the pajama party music playlist URL Link to add your songs for our pajama party:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Azq6Bd7wtww3fzd1IQFta?si=xBuCZ4dqT--m-aPoOp2TiA&pi=x_iLB1O7SOSJA
We hope to make our ABA Retreat accessible and, ‘carry its message to the
anorexic or bulimic who still suffers,’ (Tradition Five, ABA Text). If you are able
to support other ABA members financially to attend the ABA Retreat please click
on the donate link on our ABA Website and please reference ‘Retreat Support’
when donating.
***We just received some wonderful news from a lovely hostel in Kensington Gardens, London. The hostel has approved 10 ABA members attending the ABA Retreat free stay from Tuesday 22nd till Thursday 24th: Two triple rooms and one 4 person room. The hostel is 20 minutes away from the main train station in London. There is also the option of going to the Wednesday night ABA in person meeting which is 20 minutes from the hostel.
Please let the ABA Retreat Committee know if you would like to stay in the hostel by sending an email to abaretreat@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you there soon.
In fellowship,
The 2026 ABA Retreat Committee
Upcoming Events
Retreat Countdown- 1 month to go!
...22 tickets sold so far!
Upcoming Meetings
GSR Meeting
August 15th, 2026 @ 2:30pm EDT
Zoom: 883-1435-6561
PW: surrender
The next Board meeting is in September!
Birthdays
Celebrating?
Please let us know when your birthday is, so we can share experience, strength and hope here!
Sponsorship
Are you interested in being of service? We would love to have your information added to our corner!
Josephine P. USA (Central Time)
+1 406-202-6003
*Available as a temporary sponsor
We think it's grand!
We appreciate your questions, concerns, and ideas to help the newsletter best carry out our 5th and 7th traditions! Contact jessaatheart@gmail.com.
From page 145 of our ABA Book:
5th Tradition:
"Each group has but one primary purpose- to carry its message to the anorexic or bulimic who still suffers."
7th Tradition:
"Every ABA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions."
