July, 2021
Volume 2, Issue 3

Strength & Hope
A message in support of emotional well-being.

Growth of EA—Paul N.
One of the things I love about EA is its consistency. There are times whenmembers are in sync with the spirit and text of the program and times
when we lose touch with why the program is so important for our emotional health. The groups, the material and our self-defined Higher Power are
all there when we need them and are searching for something to hold onto.
The foundation of the program, which for me is people seeking a common
purpose of improved emotional health primarily through sharing, listening
and working the EA materials, will never change.
Looking back, there have been many significant pieces of literature thathave been added to the EA library such as Today (1987) and Spiritual
Awakenings (2019). There are some days when a good Today reading canhelp turn a dark day into a bright one. And the Spiritual Awakenings workbook provides valuable reflection questions to help people work
the Twelve Steps. Through the website, people access meetings in theirarea and newcomers learn more about the program. Conference calls, video calling, and virtual platforms enabled groups to move online when they
couldn’t meet in person. There have been a lot of changes since the program began which have helped it to survive and thrive.
Looking forward, I want as many people as possible to be aware that EA
exists and to understand the benefits of the program. We will soon release
the results of a survey more than 200 members participated in - this could
go a long way in showing health professionals the power of the program. I
also think that a key to the non-profit organizations that have strong impact
is volunteerism. If EA has more people writing, for instance, it will help tokeep the program’s content current and growing. The program has lostmoney three of the past four years. Consistent donations in a manner that isfinancially sensible for each member is crucial in helping to ensure that theprogram remains strong.
I look forward to continuing to participate in a program that has broughtme and many others understanding, serenity and hope. The Emotions
Anonymous program is made possible by people around the world whoshow up to meetings, group facilitators, my fellow board members and thehard-working staff at the central office. All of EA’s members will help toshape how the organization grows and progresses over the next fifty years.

Quick Tip of theMonth
The harder it is to make it
to a meeting, the more I
probably need it to improve my emotional
health.
THANK YOU to our outgoing Trustee President
Scott J. He has been aguiding force to EAI foryears and we have truly
appreciated his leadership and thoughtfulness.
WELCOME to Paul N. asincoming President.

Your Trustees
Paul N.— TX
929-399-6515
aibtikarfoundation@gmail.com
President
Steve B.— CA
909-438-4938
stevebell_28@yahoo.com
Vice President
Colleen C.— MN
651-245-5461
coyne2003@hotmail.com
Secretary
Derita P.— OH
216-624-3559
deritapippen@gmail.com
Treasurer
John W.— MN
612-760-0313
johnwerner52@gmail.com
Kelsey W.— IL
618-334-6658
knlweez@gmail.com
Behzad Arabpour Dahouei —Iran0098 913 341 4015
Behzad_7761@yahoo.com

July’s Tools forRecovery
Step 7
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Promise 7
Self-seeking slips away.
Just for Today 7
I will have a program. I may
not follow it exactly, but I
will have it. I will save myself from two pests— hurryand indecision.

A Simple Thing to Ask- Scott J.
Step 7 asks me to make arequest: “Higher Power, will
you please remove my shortcomings?” It seems like asimple and easy thing to ask– except for one thing. I’ve
grown attached to the way I
live my life. I’m often morethan a little reluctant to let
go of my defects of character.
I think of a short-coming assomething in my life where I“come up short” of my intention to live my best life. I
think of a defect of characteras something that just isn’t
working in terms of how Ilive – it’s defective.
The key for me is to be humble enough – to keep my ego
out of it – when I trust a
power greater than myself tohelp replace what isn’t
working with what could
work. I can ask for patience
to replace my impatience. I
can ask for peace to replace
my turmoil. I can ask forkindness to replace my rude
behavior.

Accepting What we Don’t Know- Lynn A.

Slogan 7
By the grace of God.
Helpful Concept 7
Emotions Anonymous is a
spiritual program, not a religious program. We do not
advocate any particular belief system.
Tradition 7
Every EA group ought to be
fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Principle 7
Humility

When I first entered the rooms of recovery, I heard differing
accounts of individual recovery. Twelve steps, but not one
path was the same. Recovery is as unique as the individual.
Sure there may be similar stories, but never identical. Ilearned that each account consisted of experience, strengthand hope. Regardless of its nature, each story is a recovery
survival guide. For example, I heard stories that seemed easier than others; I heard horrifying stories of those who tried to
go it alone, and I heard stories of how a person worked theprogram the wrong way and the right way. Every one authentic, but a testament of the path taken and the experience,
strength and hope gleaned from such a journey.
Working recovery means living life on life's terms, not mine.
That means I need to suit up and show up each day, ready tobe the faithful student of my Higher Power's will for me. That
is not always comfortable, and the challenges increase witheach day in recovery. I remember the initial God shot I received shortly after entering recovery. It was powerful andaddictive in that I wanted more of that. That is a powerful and(continued on next page)
You can find the Trustee Reflections on the website,www.emotionsanonymous.org.
This month we focus on Step 7.
Page 2

Contribution Gratitude
EAI could not operate without donations and we deeply appreciate yoursupport! Recent gifts have been received from these groups and individuals:
Elgin, IL
Rialto, CA
Ukiah, CA
Oakland, CA

Virginia Beach, VA
Midwest City, OKBend, OR Zoom
Burlington, IA

Colorado Springs, CO Mon
Hollywood, FL Sun Zoom
Chicago, IL Sat 1 PM
16 Anonymous Individual Donors
Kelley S
James B
Ronald L Richard P
Jerry H
Kathleen M
Ann ELouis V
Sylvia S-H Dave Q
Audrey L Denelle B
Janina F Kearston E
Melvin J Rausahn C
Michael H Yehuda A
Kathy F
Leigh B

Gerry S
Daryl D
Mary Beth S
Joel M
Carmelita B
Hannah N
Bob WColleen CLarry W

Administrative NewsWe begin a new fiscal year this monthand look forward to seeing groups
reconvene in person during the ‘newyear’ as well as develop hybrid meeting (combining virtual platforms within person meetings). Please be sure toprovide updates to your meeting plans
as they evolve so we can share that
information on the website. One positive outcome of the pandemic and themove to the virtual space has been theability for those seeking our programs
to be able to connect without necessarily living in the same geographicarea.
We continue to introduce new material and make appropriate revisions toexisting literature—continue to watch
your email and the website for theseannouncements. There is also a new
section in the online store that highlights new/revised materials, hopefully making them easier to find!

Accepting What we Don’t Know (cont’d)
motivating force, but it held me steady for the life lessons Iwas to encounter in my journey. When I was morally andSpiritually bankrupt, I had nothing to give, so I took. But
when I entered recovery, and I began to accumulate Experience, Strength and Hope, then I had something to give away.
You must give away to keep your Serenity. I grasped theidea of being of service, and I can tell you now, had I known
what I was going to face, I would have run as fast and as far
as I could.
Reflecting back through my journaling, I understood more
about why we, as human beings, are not given the play book.
If we had the answers, why would I need a Higher Power? I
wouldn't. Not having the answers keeps me humble, andfaithful. It also helps me to accept what I do not know, andfind comfort in that. My Experience, Strength and Hope
gives me the answers I need each day. Keep coming back.
Yes, no matter what the troubles of the world, in my little
corner, all is well. It may not be the way I think it should be.
It may mean that I am to experience a personal loss. It meansthat I have signed up for recovery, and I live life on life's
terms as best I can. Some days are easier than others, butevery single day in recovery has always been better than one
day outside of recovery.
When people share their Experience, Strength and Hope,read or listen to it with an open heart and open mind. Bewareof the traps and pitfalls. Don't ever think that recovery only
consists of the good days. No change ever occurs without
pain. It is no challenge to do things that I want to do or things
that are easy to do. Overcoming challenges, creatively moving through dark days or depression, leaning on your Higher
Power to help you through painful losses, that is where Experience, Strength and Hope is priceless. It cannot do the workfor you, but if you listen or read, it can provide you with areal time survival guide for whatever troubles you may encounter. The value of another person walking that path before me is priceless.
Today, I will live my Experience, Strength and Hope.
Please write!
We encourage member reflections! Please submit yours to
submissions@emotionsanonymous.org. Reflections should be
no more than 200 words.
Office Information
EAI P.O. Box 4245 St. Paul MN 55104-0245
Office Hours: M-TH 10a.m.—3 p.m. CT
Contact: 651-647-9712/info@emotionsanonymous.org
Website: www.emotionsanonymous.org
Page 3