EA CONNECTION: NOVEMBER 2017Your monthly newsletter from ISC
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Executive Director

EA Recovery Tools

November is Gratitude Month in the “anonymous” programs.
It’s a good opportunity to reflect on the positive things in ourlives and I hope EA is included on your gratitude list. I know thisprogram helps many people lead happier lives. I am particularly
grateful to the EA Board of Trustees – their willingness to work
together, their positive attitudes, and their friendship. I am
grateful for each of you who respond to the call to help us carry
the message; I recently asked for story submissions and I wanted to share one here from Connie W.:

Step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation
to improve our conscious contact with God, as weunderstood him, praying only for knowledge of His
will for us and the power to carry that out.

What I Learned in EA
EA helped me learn to live with unsolved problems with serenity.
I solved what I could solve and let go of the rest. I learned to live
one day at a time and I also learned I was not alone. There wereothers like me in EA who were getting well emotionally by following this simple program. They gave me hope that I could getbetter emotionally, too, if I followed this way of life. EA helped
me to not focus on negatives so much and to look for the good inmy life. This has helped me feel more serenity daily, too. Myemotional health is so much better due to EA recovery. I learned
the slogan ‘I need people’ in EA and I’m grateful I found EA
members who helped me find serenity and I hope to keep coming back to help others, too...Connie
None of this would be possible without contributions from themembership. EA needs your support. Please consider making agift this month. Click here to make your contribution now.
Elaine Weber Nelson, Executive Director.

The Loop
The Loop (EAnon) is our online discussion forum. Members share
their experience, strength and hope in regards to EA recovery. Much
like in our regular EA groups we are able to watch the miracle ofrecovery.
We recently had some delivery issues, but it appears all is now
resolved, in addition, we can now accept Yahoo and AOL address,
click here to learn more, or to join the Loop. If you have difficulties,
contact Karen or Bobbie Jo

Tradition 11: Our public relations policy is basedon attraction rather than promotion; we needalways maintain personal anonymity at the levelof press, radio and films.
Promise 11: We acquire a feeling of security
within ourselves.
Concept 11: Each person is entitled to his or her
own opinions and may express them at a meeting
within the guidelines of EA. We are all equal - noone is more important than another.
Just for Today 11: I will not compare myself withothers. I will accept myself and live to the best ofmy ability.
Slogan 11: Keep it simple.

OF IMPORTANCE TO GROUPS
1. We’re hearing that some groups are being
asked for insurance at the location of theirmeeting. Please know that the ISC does NOT provide any sort of insurance coverage.
2. Are you organizing a local event? Please let
the ISC know if you are holding something special
so we can share your information on the Calendar! Send your notices to Elaine.
3. Has your group contact or meeting information
changed? Email Bobbie Jo with updates. Correct
information on the website listing is important so
newcomers can find a meeting or someone tocontact with questions.

In Memory of Bob R - Anita H, AZ
To donate a memorials or special gifts click here1

RECOVERY USING THE TOOLS OF EAStep 11: Sought throughprayer and meditation toimprove our conscious
contact with God, as weunderstood him, praying
only for knowledge of His
will for us and the power
to carry that out.
Step 11 is one of my favorite steps.
In my mind I think of it as my “let itgo” step. That is because in the step
I am told to seek God’s guidance andto ask that He provide direction ofHis will for me. Now my problem isthat I often forget to do the above
and it isn’t until I am really hurtingthat I remember to call on God forguidance and that He always has mybest interest at heart.
I have found that the Slogans offer
support for Step 11, such as “Let goand let God, You are not Alone, By
the grace of God, and Keep itsimple.”
This step also serves as a reminderthat God is always there, I just needto “hook up. ” So, if I remember tokeep Step 11 at my side and use theslogans as companions, life goespretty darn good and I am
grateful...CaryStep Eleven, is one of my favorites.
It describes to a T what I am
learning, how to trust myself intrusting God. Since coming to theprogram, I felt hope in the very firstmeeting I went to. I didn't
understand much but I kept bringing
the body and gradually the mind didfollow. I came into the program withraw nerves. My head hurt so much, I
couldn't get any relief. I felt thelonger I worked on my problems, theshorter my attention span was. I
became bored very easily. I wanted
the answers instantly and I wanted
someone else to tell me what to do.
I tried all kinds of mental twists andturns. And, each time I used my selfwill instead of placing my trust in myHP. My fear set off all kinds ofnegative thoughts. Being fearfulbrought out worry, anger, envy andresentment. I had to blame
someone / anyone. I blamed mysponsor for not listening to me.
Didn't she know I needed special
attention? Didn't she know how
different I was? My behavior hadn'tchange much and I couldn't
understand why. No one understoodme. My home group was working on
Step Eleven and Tradition Eleven. I
came in late and entered throughthe second side door. I didn't want
to disturb the group. But...mysponsor was chairperson. Our eyes
met and she pointed to a chair she
wanted me to sit in. It was next toher. Wouldn't you know, I had tochange something about mydemeanor but I couldn't on shortnotice. You see, I was still putting onan act. I didn't know how to be real.

As I listened and read with thegroup, my sponsor told me to finish
reading the chapter. I wanted to hit
her in the head with the book. But I
didn’t . As I read something
happened. My face turned red and I
had to admit my childlike behavior.
Thank God, what I read aloudcertainly was me in living color. I wasthe defiant one, I was the person
whom had the trouble with total
inability. Then, the Our FatherPrayer help direct me in the right2directions. Humility had anotherdimension for me. I don't know
when it happened but I felt peaceful.
My body wasn't as up-tight. Mymuscles were becoming relaxed. I
walked lighter, I spoke quieter. I waslosing self-centerness and gaining
selflessness...PatSlogan 11: Keep it Simple
I have to learn to close my eyes toothers shortcomings more. When I
was raised, I was criticized lots, and I
thought I would not criticize others
when I got older, but I did and canstill do it! So I want to instead, look
for the good in people, instead oflooking at their shortcomings.

It seems I would not be able to haveany friends if I always was looking
for the bad in others. Also, a trait I
have had was to just drop someone
from being my friend if they dideven one thing that "I" perceived aswrong. I need to really stop
following that trail! I will pray to not
do that any longer. I need to be
more willing to forgive others andtry and resolve conflicts. I must learn
to “Keep it Simple.”I think the more I see the good inothers, the more I want to bearound people. The more I see thebad in others, the more I do notwant to be around people any moreand just want to isolate.
So I am going to just pray for others
if I see anything that "I" perceive aswrong and instead focus on thegood in them. I will ask my Higher
Power to help me to Keep it Simple.
I am so done with my critical mind .
...Connie

DISCOVERING THE TOOLS OF EA
And, sure enough, I started to bloom
I have lots of strengths and weaknesses. Before the EA program I would attempt to hide my weaknesses and when
they surfaced and other folks addressed them I would deny, blame, and become very angry because of their being noticed and pointed out. I would then be ashamed, guilt ridden, and withdraw into myself and become depressed. Thiswas my life before the program. I did not spend a lot of time relishing my strengths because I would just discount thoseand spend most of my time lamenting about what a poor soul I was and how if only I did this and how can this awful
stuff always happen to me.
I am very happy that when I hit my bottom that I was able to hear the message of the 12 Step program. As I witnessed
the twelve steps working in other peoples lives I was able to let go of my imperfections and start focusing on whatstrengths I did have and sure enough, I started to bloom. I am very grateful for some recovery. I know that I havemore to learn and grow through. I am far from finished because I stored a lot of negative crap during my days of denial
and ignorance.
I always wanted to do something and then I would take up the struggle of change. I did not realize that I
could begin change exactly where I was because that is the place where my HP is at and with it’s help I
could do anything which I gave my attention to...Paul H

POME - POOP
Jessica here and I am Gratefully POME, POOP and many other things but I am absolutely not powerless over my own
actions or my attitude. I have never ever met anyone who said they worked the 12 steps of a 12 step program and did
not get better. It makes no sense to me why someone would not work the steps if they wanted to experience some ofthe promises. I have found that journaling, or in the beginning it was more like writing letters to God, has helped me agreat deal…especially in communicating with my Higher Power!...Jessica

30+
On 30+ Saturday mornings each year for the last couple of years I meet with an average of 3 other EA
members at a busy restaurant in South Saint Paul, MN. It's a time we set aside to work our program together as we strengthen our friendships with each other. We focus on our individual recovery and we talkquite a bit about the future of the EA organization - conspiring to help EA become more healthy and accessible to those dealing with emotional and relational problems as well as scheming to find ways to help EA be financiallysound both for now and for the future. I'm thankful for honest and care-full conversations that we have - while drinking coffee and eating eggs, pancakes, etc...to help us be open to the leading of the Higher Power to help EA flourish not just survive. This organization will do well if we can all see ourselves in the same boat and if we start rowing together in the same direction, offering financial support and positive suggestions (followed by action!) to move us forward. I'm confident of this!... Scott J

HumbledBoy have I been humbled in the past few weeks. And am I glad to be putting these steps back into practice, in this ongoing trip round the 12 steps. I like to picture the steps arranged the way the numbers areon a clock's face; I picture myself at the center, ready to use whichever steps seem most appropriate.
One, Two, Three, Eleven and Twelve are the most often used for me.
I revisited my vulnerability over the Thanksgiving weekend. So, I am especially aware of my powerlessness. It is painful
to admit my life was completely unmanageable, I am in no way stuck on step one, but I sure am glad I was willing todwell there and feel the "quick" that had been exposed from my emotional injuries. In the meantime, what seems
most important is dwelling in the solution. The bruised ego and spirit are healed by my living each day and gently applying the tools. Being willing to apply the tools in new ways and old, allows me to "come back" more and more to myself. My latest Awakening/Awareness has a sense of purpose. Thank you HP for this simple, but profound, program...Victoria
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2017 - 2018 EA BOARD OF TRUSTEESGus S, AZ 602-319-3890 schloesser us@gmail.com President (from Region 2)
Scott J, MN 507-276-0323 sdjakel@gmail.com Vice President/Treasurer (from Region 1/GST)John W, MN 612-760-0313 johnwerner52@gmail.com Secretary (from Region 1)
Jack M, IL 773-720-1827 disaster_man@msn.com (from Region 3)
Valerie C, NY 585-371-4347 valcea@gmx.com (from Region 5/GST)“ The Concepts provide us with the basic structure of EA”
Concept 11: Each person is entitled to his or her own opinions andmay express them at a meeting within the guidelines of EA. We are all
equal - no one is more important than another.

Thoughts from your Trustee on Concept 11:
The guidelines of EA provide a safe space for us to interact at our meetingsand platforms - whether they are face-to-face, skype, phone, or theloop. We get to receive things said and/or written in appropriate ways sothat no offense need be taken. "Take what you like and leave the rest" allows me to know that others have perspectives that are different frommine—and that's okay! It is in a space of equality that I can be comfortableknowing that no one is going to push their opinions on me. Concept 11 is agift...Scott J
This concept is an important one for those of us who might be shy, or feelthat our opinions really don’t matter, especially those of us who have had
to deal with low self-esteem. Important I say because it states that each ofus is equal, and that my opinion matters; it counts; it is as valid as yours.
Finally, I count! Thank you EA!...Gus S

REGIONS OF EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
Region 1: Northwest
CAN: AB, BC, MB, ON, SK
USA: AK, ID, MN, MT, ND, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY
Region 2: Southwest
USA: AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, OK, TX,UT
Region 3: Central
USA: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE

Region 4: Southeast
USA:Puerto RicoRegion 5: Northeast
CAN: NB, NF, NS, NT, PE,YT
USA: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
Region 6: French-speaking Canada

Emotions Anonymous™

How Gratitude Works for Me
I learned at a meeting, yet again (3 times is a charm), that gratitude isthe path to sanity. Gratitude is living in the solution not the problem. It is
about focusing on what is good--not what is not working.
I believe each of us are changing life patterns. It is not easy work. Gratitude is like the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine of recovery go
down smooth. ..Victoria
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Hours Monday—Thursday: 10 to 3:30
Phone 651-647-9712
Fax 651-647-1593
PO Box 4245
St Paul, MN 55104
www.EmotionsAnonymous.org
director@emotionsanonymous.org
editor@emotionsanonymous.org
groupdata@emotionsanonymous.org
info@emotionsanonymous.org
orders@emotionsanonymous.org

Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as theresult of these steps, wetried to carry this message
and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The ISC receives dozens of requests each month, asking how to start a new group. A bigbarrier to getting groups started is the cost of the "starter kit"of EA materials. We'd love to give these away, but our budget
just doesn't allow for that.
So... we want to start a New Group Scholarship Fund: donations would cover half the cost (the other half coming fromthe individual or group starting the meeting) of getting thebasic EA materials to people who want to convene a newgroup.
Would your group be willing to contribute to this fund? If so,please send in your donation with a notation for the Scholarship Fund - or check that box on the online donation form.
Thank you for helping share the message!

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