THE EA CONNECTION: JUNE 2019
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EA TOOLS FOR RECOVERY
Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Tradition 6: An EA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the EA name to any related facility oroutside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Slogan 6: Look for the good.
Promise 6: We have less concern about self and gain interest in others.
Just for Today 6: I will try to go out of my way to be kind to someone I meet. I will be considerate, talklow, and look as good as I can. I will not engage in unnecessary criticism or finding fault, nor try toimprove or regulate anybody except myself.
Concept 6: We never discuss religion, politics, national or international issues, or other belief systems orpolicies. EA has no opinion on outside issues.

A “Healthy Group” Checkup“Our common welfare should come first; Personal recovery depends on EA unity.” – Tradition One

In my experience with the program, healthy EA groups are like healthy people – they get check-ups once in awhile to stay well. One way to do a check-up is to review the Best Practices for Productive Meetings and tofollow that with a group inventory meeting. The Best Practices information is free and includes such meeting
recommendations as:
Meetings start and end on time.
No cross-talk is allowed.
There are no discussions of religion or politics during the meeting time.
No single individual is identified as a meeting ‘manager’; responsibilities are shared amonggroup members in a manner that is agreed upon and suits the individual group.
The Group Inventory one-pager is $.40 and can be ordered on our literature-for-purchase site. The inventory
asks members to answer questions about their view of the group, and then to share the answers either inwriting or in person at a group inventory meeting.
Some groups find it helpful to schedule these meetings once every four to six months, just before or after
their usual meeting time. Others prefer to have some group health discussions during the business section of
their meetings on a biweekly or monthly basis. Either way, the purpose is to generate discussion aboutthings you believe your group does well, and areas where you’d like to make improvements.
As you work through your Healthy Group checkup, remember that, “… our leaders are but trusted servants,
they do not govern.” However mutual respect of all members, especially those who may have started thegroup or those with important roles in keeping the group functioning, is critical.
I was grateful that someone was there when I walked through the doors of my first EA meeting 35 years ago.
With careful care and attention to group health, someone will be there when all the newcomers of the future walk into their first meetings, too….Colleen C, EA Board of Trustees, Secretary
www.EmotionsAnonymous.org
Box 4245 St Paul, MN 55104
Phone 651-647-9712
Hours Mon—Thurs: 10 to 3:00 CST

director@emotionsanonymous.org
editor@emotionsanonymous.org
groupdata@emotionsanonymous.org
orders@emotionsanonymous.org
shipping@emotionsanonymous.org

RECOVERY USING THE TOOLS OF EAStep 6: Were entirely
ready to have God remove
all these defects ofcharacter.
Six months ago I completed Step 6
with my sponsor. At least I thought I
did but have found that we neverreally "finish" a step. We keep themwith us as "tools" to use throughout
life. I even felt "entirely ready" tohave ALL of my character defects
removed. And yet I found that I stillclung to some. I didn’t evenunderstand why I wanted or needed
them.
Today, I can see my character assets
beginning to blossom. With my HP's
help, I am feeling more comfortable
in my own skin and with who I am
and who I am becoming. EA is reallya gift! EA is like someone putting
you in front of a mirror and allowing
you to face yourself, yourimperfections, character defects,
and telling you that you are nolonger alone. That you don’t have tosuffer anymore, there is a way out.
That you are worthy of love, living
life, happiness, serenity, kindness,help and freedom from emotional
pain. "Stinking thinking" is likelooking at yourself through a
distorted mirror. It’s not real andcauses so much pain seeing
ourselves that way. It hasn't beenand still isn’t an easy journey but its
been getting better as I learn
through my mistakes to findhealthier alternatives. I am stronger
than yesterday but not as strong as I
will be tomorrow. All it takes iswillingness to try…Denise

I have struggled a lot with self-pity
in my life and most of the time, I
didn't even realize it. I felt sorry formyself, when others gave me
sympathy, I felt better. One of theToday book reflections talks about
feeling so sorry for ourselves that
we cannot see the world around us.
That was me for sure. When I firstgot into recovery in another 12-step
program, I was unable to see that
others were hurting as much, if not
more, than I was—I felt that I had
been dealt the worst hand ever, andthat's how I thought, how I talked tomyself and others.
I didn't know that there was adifference between feeling sorry formyself and feeling bad. When I felt
sorry for myself, I said, "I hate mylife, I hate everything about it, andnobody has it worse than I do."When I felt bad or sad, I found that I
could say, "I hate my life today, andthat's how I honestly feel. But I
know it will pass, and until it does,
it's ok for me to admit it, and maybe
be kind to myself while I'm feelingthis way." Working Step 6 with asponsor helped me see self-pity as acharacter defect, and helped me toask my higher power for help with it.
I couldn't wish it away! Or stuff it or
ignore it.
Grateful for EA, which has helped
me learn that my feelings are notbad or wrong, and that I'm not bador wrong for having them, that all
feelings are ok, and that eventhough they are not all pleasant,they can all help guide me in theirown way...Gail

Slogan 6: Look for the good .
I live in northern California, and we

had a big storm here. It was
especially loud last night with lots ofrain and high winds. At first I was
getting a bit scared in the night, butthen I remembered our slogan"Look for the good." Istarted to think of thegood things in my life
such as sleeping in awarm bed in a warm
rental home that is sturdy and safe.
Turning on my little computer tablet
and putting on some beautiful musicthat calmed me. Having a Higher
Power belief that can calm me when
I reach out to that Power and ask forhelp. Saying a prayer helps comfort
me, too.
I have been daily watching for thelittle and big miracles in my life andam seeing many of them. Even being
diagnosed with mental health labels,
I have still lived my life medicationfree and with more sanity than
insanity due to the 12-step way oflife, talk therapy and having a desire
to be well emotionally. A doctor
said I had to be on medication for
the rest of my life. Luckily, with lotsof help from our program, doctors,and professionals, that was not thecase.
Another miracle is that even though
my marriage did not work out, I still
managed to raise my two kids as asingle mom. They are now 23 and26, and they are my loving family
that I am so grateful for. That is ahuge miracle, and I know my Higher
Power was with me all the way andstill with me helping me. Today I
have the things I need and some ofmy wants. That is a lot to be gratefulfor as I continue to look for the goodin my life...Connie

DISCOVERING THE TOOLS OF EAToday Book: June 5
Too often I agonize over a problem as if all solutions depend one me. I try to anticipate what to do
and what to say. I seem to have to torment myself a while before I remember it is no all up to me.
God can help me and is willing to do so, but I have to ask. Often I “discover” the solution quite
soon after I ask. How wonderful to have such a friend to rely on.

I Can Choose
I have written about my extreme anxiety, and some of you have responded with personal emails encouraging me, forwhich I am very grateful. Today's RFT is "We often take on the problems of the world. We let our feelings of despair
overpower us." It goes on about so much despair in the world situations and allowing people and situations to instill in
us fear, anger, defeat, and hopelessness. "I can choose who and what I listen to."Today I choose to listen to you, my dear friends, who share from your heart honest, true feelings of where you are inyour daily life, the hurts and pain as well as the encouragement and hope you share. Today I choose to listen to myinner voice telling me that this anxiety does not define me. I proved to myself over the weekend that I can get out anddo things in spite of those feelings and not die.
Today I choose to be ever so grateful for all of you, for my wonderful doctor, for my job, for my car that keeps on running, for my mother who is always a long distance phone call away ready to listen, for my nephew who is now honorably discharged from the Marines and out of danger (Hoo-Rah), for the gentle breeze today, and especially grateful tomy HP who never fails me even if I feel I fail Him. My days are minute by minute sometimes, but I am grateful to behere and alive and doing what I need to do to keep on going. Sometimes I slide backwards but for today I am gratefulfor those minute -by-minute challenges...Pat S

High Anxiety
I am experiencing a period of serenity despite high anxiety and stress levels last week. Instead of reacting to my anxiety and trying to control it, I practiced acceptance by paying attention to what it was like to have high anxiety. It feels
weird not to do anything in response to anxiety. But I am sure that has been contributing to my sense of serenity inrecent time. I know life takes many forms, so I am going to enjoy living with serenity while it is here. I am grateful that
EA has shown me that serenity is a possible state of mind, even when it is not permanent...SarahFeelings of DoomI am a person who has anxiety. The same type that many people on the Loop have. That awful feeling of dread—sometimes panic. But right now I am dealing with a different kind of anxiety since I am having to consider the possibility of my son having cancer. This is a feeling of doom. Makes all the other anxiety pale in comparison. Makes me only
wish I could have my normal anxiety right now—worrying about everything like I do, silly things like making it somewhere on time, or did I make a mistake on my taxes, or all the minutia of life.
If I get through this scary time, I hope I remember that all the little worries/anxieties are pretty unnecessary. And I
need to let go and let God now and always. Really all I can do is pray.
It is weekend and I don’t have work or work friends to support me for two days. My husband is away. I am having toget through one minute at a time. And try to make my son’s birthday on Sunday something pleasant. I know you are allout there, and that is helpful. Biopsy is Tuesday…Claire

Accountability
When I’m very overwhelmed, frustrated and near tears, I can be destructive. It’s very hard to admit, but I
know I need to hold myself accountable. I’ve been having many good days, and today was my first real
bad day in a while. I couldn’t find something, and the more I looked, the more aggravated I got. I really hate this about
myself. I feel like I lose control sometimes and become basically "insane." I want my sanity back! I’ve forgiven myself,
given myself time to calm down and recognize I have to be aware of this powerlessness at all times. I realize my mistake was not accepting I just couldn’t find it, that it was no big deal and not allowing myself to step back and calm
down. It also didn’t help that I felt like I was in an oven and sweating profusely. And I guess it’s also shameful because
its such minor that cause me so much frustration. I’m actually calmer in more serious situations.
Thank you for listening and letting me get that out and hold myself accountable. God, help me to remember to pause
when I’m agitated...Denise

2018 - 2019 EA Board of Trustees
Please feel free to contact members of the Board with questions or concerns.
Scott J, MN 507-276-0323 sdjakel@gmail.com President
John W, MN 612-760-0313 johnwerner52@gmail.com Vice President
Colleen C, MN 651-245-5461 coyne2003@hotmail.com Secretary
Derita P, OH 216-624-3559 deritapippen@gmail.com Treasurer

The Twelve Traditions
The 12 Traditions are the guidelines by which our group and our fellowship function. They have proven over the years
to be an effective way of holding the fellowship and individual groups together.
Tradition 6: An EA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the EA name to any related facility or outside enterprise lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
The primary purpose of EA is to aid people by offering a twelve-step program of recovery, creating connection andoffering resources for mental wellness and emotional health. We read in Tradition 6 and in other key EA messages tonever divert from helping others to deal with their lives differently. We want to support others so that they no longer
have to suffer with emotional problems. Any diverting issue prevents us from having a laser-like focus on helping others. I ask that my H.P. help me and others to always focus on helping as many people as possible in this endeavor andto not get diverted along the way...Scott J, President, EA Board of Trustees

From Our Books
It Works if You Work It—page 55
Tradition Six tells us, Keep it simple. It would be easy to make EA into a big business, endorsing home healthcare products or vitamins or certain types of psychotherapy, but that invites trouble. We are a loosely organized, extremely focused group that works best when we concentrate on helping those seeking emotional wellness.
For some of us, money, property, and prestige are among the many egocentric things that brought us to EA. Balancing
the cares and concerns of the outside world, in addition to concentrating on being there for new EA members, isstretching our recovery, and our fellowship, too thin. Pursuing our primary purpose is our highest and best calling.

EA’s 12 By 12—page 32
It is very tempting to think EA could help more people in their emotional recovery or greatly increase its financial security by operating clinics, endorsing self-help books, or supporting other mental health projects. However, the early experiences of A.A. demonstrate that such endeavors would only detract from EA’s main purpose. A.A. members thought
they could start businesses and work for social change to further help alcoholics to recover. A.A. groups were throwninto turmoil as some members vied for position and prestige by running hospitals as a way to spread their twelve-stepprogram. Controversy developed among members over which treatment centers or methods to endorse. They worked
for legal reforms, only to find themselves mired in politics. Many members’ recovery was jeopardized by such conflictsand chaos.
A.A. finally decided it was best for them to stick with what they did best, which was to share the twelve-step program,and leave the rest to others. They learned that A.A. was better off to give up the potential money, property, and prestige. Their continued sobriety and the possible sobriety of other alcoholics was much more important than all thoseother things.
What happened to A.A. could happen to EA if it involved itself in outside activities. The risk of clouding the EA messageand confusing the public and newer members about EA’s main purpose would not be worth the gain. It would taketime away from what EA was founded to do.
Tradition Six protects our unity, enables EA to avoid many problems, and keeps us focused on
our primary purpose. (closing sentence from EA’s 12 By 12 on Tradition 6)
The complete text can be found in EA’s 12 By 12, available for purchase on our web site