Have you been to any of the MAI Conventions?  If not, I’d especially like to connect with you – here and at the next Convention!

For many of my OA years, I lived south of the WI/IL border.  I had heard about Milwaukee holding conventions – every year! We weren’t doing that in the Chicago area.  I heard they were good and that stuck in my mind, but I didn’t consider attending. Until I moved to the Milwaukee area. Then I decided there was no reason not to go and see for myself.

I didn’t know many OA members in the area, just the ones who attended the small meeting I had made my new home meeting. I do love interacting with people (really love it with other OA members!) But I’ve also spent enough time as a “loner” when I wanted or needed to experience something that my “outside” friends wouldn’t care to.  Still I felt tentative when I first walked into the “auditorium” alone.  I found a seat off to one side, near the front.

There was another person who had chosen to sit alone in that area and she and I later talked and got to know each other a little. There were several keynote speakers spread over the weekend and one in particular impressed me with what she had to say.  She talked about her disease, her successes and difficulties on the road of recovery.  She credited a certain attitude with being hugely helpful and a breakthrough in her recovery.  She called it “befriending obedience.”

I didn’t/don’t like the idea of “obedience” at all and “befriending obedience” seemed a bit bizarre. As much as obedience rankled me, I listened to the speaker and was won over to what she was saying. Obedience was not something I needed to fear – if it meant I was obedient to principles and suggestions that were going to aid me in my recovery. Thus was my attitude forever changed in a way that has served me well.

This was 14 years ago, and I still remember and utilize the experience and strength of that speaker. I’ve attended many conventions since that first one, and every time there have been important “aha” moments and/or significant boosts in my recovery that have stuck.

I haven’t missed a convention over the years and wouldn’t today. I’ve grown closer to my home group members who have attended and have made many new friends there.

That person sitting alone I mentioned earlier?  I did get acquainted with her and later we became close at intergroup (when I became a rep) and we have enjoyed working together over the years on several service tasks. Convention has boosted my recovery every time and has filled my life with meaningful relationships with so many OA members who were just “friends I hadn’t met yet.” I hope to meet you next time!