The EA Connection: March 2018Your monthly newsletter from ISC
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EA Tools for Recovery
Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Slogan 3: One day at a time.
Tradition 3: The only requirement for EA membership is a desire to become well emotionally.
Promise 3: We comprehend the word serenity, and we know peace of mind.
Just for Today 3: I will try to adjust myself to what is and not force everything to adjust to my own desires.
I will accept my family, my friends, my business, my circumstances as they come.

Concept 3: We respect anonymity—no questions asked. We aim for an atmosphere of love and acceptance. We
do not care who you are or what you have done. You are welcome.

News from Your Trustees
How many of you are aware of the EA Administrative
Concepts (pamphlet # 67)? It’s a very helpful reference
when addressing concerns about decisions Trustees makeas your Trusted Servants and to understand how decisions are made and by whom. Here’s why this resource isbeing pointed out: The EA Board of Trustees asked andwas granted permission by Alcoholics’ Anonymous tomake changes in EA literature when referencing our Higher Power specifically as “God”. A.A., in their response to
our request, made it clear that other 12-Step groups havealso asked permission to adjust their language choices. SoEA now has flexibility regarding how we refer to our Higher Power in the Steps, Traditions, Concepts, Promises,and Slogans. With this permission in hand, and after agreat deal of discussion, the Trustees have approved implementation of this change, acknowledging that many of
our EA members are quite comfortable – and may evenprefer – using the term “God” as synonymous with“Higher Power.” In fact, some in EA are very protective of
personally using “God.” As Trustees, this decision follows
key statements in our material that guide this organization – i.e. “we do not advocate any particular belief system” and we are “a spiritual program, not a religious program.” What this all means is that when we ask individuals to share their thoughts in printed materials and theychoose the word ‘God’, we will honor that usage. Otherwise, materials being produced or revised by EA, in abiding by our own convictions to be “spiritual but not religious” and with A.A.’s permission, will be using the nonreligious language of a “Higher Power.” In doing so, werest in the belief that there remains a Power greater thanourselves that can restore us to sanity, no matter whatterm we choose to use.
Yours in Program, Gus S, President, Scott J, VP/Treasurer

What I Learned in EA: A Member Perspectives
In my 20’s, I began to experience depression and anxiety
which worsened over several years. In spite of weekly
visits with a psychiatrist, I was hospitalized three times
and really did not understand how to deal with my emotional problems. When I found EA, I felt real hope because it gives me specific tools: (1) At Meetings I learn totalk honestly about myself with people who are experiencing similar difficulties. I also learn to listen to how others work the program. (2) By working the Steps, I faceand let go of my past and seek help from a Higher Power.
(3) By using the Just for Todays and Slogans, I learn tothink differently, stay in today, not compare myself withothers, remind myself I am not alone, etc. What I learn in
EA has helped me stay out of the hospital, handle my responsibilities, and trust a Higher Power. For these, I amvery grateful!...Anonymous

Memorials and Special Gifts
In memory of Connie B, EA Owasso,
MI Group
In Memory of Mary Lee D, Donald &Virginia, SC

Recovery using the Tools of EA
imperfect and flawed.

Today I woke with one thing on mymind: don’t think about the future,
don’t think about the past, focus onwhat you can do today and let yourHigher Power take care ofeverything else.
What a greatfeeling! All day I kept asking myself:
What can I do right now, today, thatwould make a difference? I also
thought about how turning my life
over to my Higher Power might
include turning my future and mypast over to my Higher Power. This
perspective might be one way oflooking at Step 3 turning my willover to my Higher Power is focusing
on just today. It was truly an
awesome feeling. I felt like I didn’t
have to take care of my entire life all
in one day or fix every problem. Onthe flip side, I felt very irresponsible
as well. But I have a feeling this isbecause I am usually hyperresponsible. Anyway, just for today I
felt great....Chris
Surrender, I have always known
what it meant but until EA and the12 steps, I didn’t know just how
hard it is. Surrendering my will, myego and what feels like my sense of
self is necessary to heal and findpeace and serenity. So what is theattachment to what hasn’t workedall these years? Why is it so hard tosurrender those defects and letthem go? Perhaps because some ofthem have protected my heart fromhurting, or feeling shame for being

My HP whom I choose to call God iskeeping His promise. By working theprogram even imperfectly at times, I
am "realizing a new freedom andhappiness" as said in the first EA
promise. And I realize “God is doing
for us what we could not do for
ourselves." I see it in others and I
see it in myself.
Now that I have learned what I’ve
learned and have the tools, mysuffering is now of my own choice. If
I suffer its because I’m turning myback on my toolbox.
I won’t lie when I say at times I
wanted to say where I wanted tostick that toolbox! And then I
realized, wait a minute, why are you
fighting it? Yes you have these tools
to get you through and you want tochoose your own way Still!! Wakeup Denise! "Surrender." I think I
love that word now!...Denise

I am so thankful that I struggle lesswith my character defect of trying
to make everything fit my own
desires. It was one of my first
discoveries in the Program throughJFT 3. What a relief to stop trying toshove things together and just hand
it all over. Though I have had reliefin letting go of the puzzle pieces ofcircumstances
outside of me,
I do still try to push and batter andshove together the conflicting
pieces of my internal life and mydaily activities. I am practicing
willingness to turn these pieces overas well...Angela
I've found that many program tools
can be put into play when dealing
with customer service, or technicalsupport, or whatever. There aretwo things I do going in: sit at mycomputer so I can play solitaireduring the inevitable periods on
hold when I have "elevator music"
and ridiculous advertisements tolisten to. The other thing is to psych
myself up to not have expectations
regarding how long this is going totake. So I never initiate a call when I
have limited time.
Just basic
program stuff about what the reality
is, and accepting that I have nocontrol over what's happening at
the other end. Another thing thathelps me is to remember that thesepeople are just people...exactly likeme. No better, no worse. When they
go into those aggravating comments
like...did you know you could
upgrade for only an additional $9.95
a month...we have an extended
warranty available, etc??? They are
just doing their job. Remember thatlittle spiel, the one that said "thiscall will be recorded for security andtraining purposes." That means thesupervisor at any time can check to
see if this person is following theassigned script. I would not like towork like that, but it's just a realityof the techie world we live in. And I
can always go back to JFT 3...KimDiscovering the tools of EA
Going to Neutral
My HP had to teach me how to let go. On my own I was not learning it too well. So he gave me so many things to worry
about that there was no possible way to keep up with them all. And so I have let go of it all. And I mean all. A short list:
my dog, husband, son, mother in law, father in law, job, sister in law’s mother… All of the listed things are in crisis ofsome sort right now.
I can’t keep up. So I am staying in the now and it is great in the now! I so enjoyed going to work today, I looked forward
to it, to having my mind absorbed in my work instead of issues going on in every direction of my life. It was a relief. So I
hope I can let go from now on without needing my whole life to be so chaotic. As someone in my face to face groupused to say, “there are really only 2 steps, the first is to let go, the second is to let go some more”. I used to enjoy hearing him say that.
I also heard something good on the radio. We all know to think positively is the goal. But we can’t all get there. So it
was suggested that we can at least let go of the negative and go to neutral—even if we can’t go all the way to the positive. I am usually predicting doom, so find it impossible to go all the way from that to sunshine and rainbows (I am just
too much of a born pessimist) but I can go to a place of, “I don’t really know what will happen.” A middle ground, notnegative or positive, just neutral...Claire

Where I Got StuckWhen I first started working the 12 Step Program I had two very big areas where my life really got stuck. One was theidea of a HP because I came from a very religious community and their view of God was not one that worked well forme so I struggled with Step Two for a while.... The other that I still struggle with is the slogan, I need people.
It's very hard to invite people into your life when you don't like people...humans are a very strange lot. Like I have adog, she might bite other people but she does not bite the hand that feeds her. However, you can be as nice as you
want to with a human and many of them will bite you when you don't give them what they want from you. Just saying,not all, but some.

I have a hard time being vulnerable with others. I struggle when it comes to being in a relationship and allowing people
to come and go in my life and not attempt to control what's happening. As a result of these character defects it's hardfor me to be in long term committed relationships. I wear out, and when I turn my attention off of a relationship I haveto move on - which is very hard for many of those who I have invited to be close to me.
There are so many different emotions which come to mind as I write this that travel along the roots of my emotional
problems. I won't take the time to list them all but before the EA program I listed guilt and shame at the head of my list
when I did my Step Four.. As I did my Step Five I could understand how powerful these feelings were and as I shared
my thoughts about them with my HP and a trusted Fifth Step person I was able to let the energy of these two feelings
go, so I seldom go back and visit these two things. I am thankful for this program in helping me lay down the fear thatcomes from being a little different than others. Recently I read where a person was sad to see a 30 year EA member
still attending meetings. I smiled... as I have been at this for over 33 years and I still have to come back and deal withmy emotions which are constantly a part of who I am. I’m able to reach out and ask for help today. I am able to share
openly about who I am. I am grateful that today I do need people and want them in my life even if it's for a lifetime...PaulNegative versus Positive self-talk
Before I started EA (it's been 7 weeks now- although it took me ages to figure out the loop) - I started every morningwith my usual negative self-talk - "Oh "shucks"- it's another day, I have to figure out how to get through today." Now
its all different. I say, "Thank you Lord, it's another day and I GET to figure out the best way to get through today."Such a HUGE change!! Thank you all for helping make this happen...Ruthie

2017 - 2018 EA Board of Trustees
Please feel free to contact members of the Board with questions or concerns
Gus 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 H, 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 12 Principles, Step 3: Faith
In the early 1950’s Twelve Steps groups began informally sharing what has
become known as the Principles of the 12 Steps. Each step has a corresponding principle that one can keep in mind when working the steps. Belowmembers share how FAITH factors into Step 3 for them.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over tothe care of God as we understood him

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

Wikipedia defines faith as complete trust or confidence in someone orsomething. When I am anxious or worried and start an emotional slip, I stopmyself and turn things over to God. Thanks to the EA program, I recognize
those times of trouble are when I am not really showing my faith and trust inGod. It’s more than lip service. If I feel God is my co-pilot, it’s time for me toswitch seats. EA slogans help me snap back to where I need to be: Let Goand Let God. There is a God and I’m not it...Irenie

Region 4: Southeast

Faith....I thought I had faith. I had a belief in a Power greater than myself
but not a faith that my Higher Power was in control. I was still trying to do
things my way and wondering why my reactions were the same. This month I
had a rude awakening and finally said enough! This was after I contemplated
giving up on myself and succumbing to the life of isolation and fear again. I
turned to my Higher Power, God, and I asked for help, for His will in my lifeand for His forgiveness. I knew I could not do this without God. Now, I turn tomy Higher Power for relief and guidance on dealing with my emotions. I turnmy life and my will over to the care of God and trust the outcome...Denise

Emotions Anonymous™

I am grateful that I found a loving Higher Power in Step 3, my faith has
deepened by continuing with all the rest of the Steps. My faith continues togrow as I review my Steps and live the Steps in my life to the best of my daily
ability.
Today when I look at my life, I can hardly believe all the things I made it
through. I know I was not alone and I know many miracles helped me
through the years. So it is good to remember all the miracles I have had asthat just strengthens my faith even more...Connie

editor@emotionsanonymous.org

Many of the shares in this publication come from The Loop (EAnon) ouronline discussion forum. Click here for more information on the Loop .

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