EA Connection—September 2016Your monthly newsletter from isc

From the Executive Director, International Service Center
The Arizona convention committee is finalizing the plans for this year’s EA International Convention – I hope everyone
has considered attending, as these conventions are clearly an opportunity to reinvigorate your involvement in both theEA program and the organization as a whole. I know this year’s committee (like every committee) has worked hard tofind a lovely venue, schedule interesting and informative speakers, and create a welcoming atmosphere for the time wewill all spend together at the end of September. If you have not yet registered, you can do so on our website at https://emotionsanonymous-org.presencehost.net/get-involved/2016-events-activities/2016-ea-international-convention.html
Every year prior to the convention, your Board of Trustees gathers to work on issues of importance to the organizationand its membership. This year we will be addressing the ongoing viability of EA and identifying what we need to do to
grow the number of groups and members. During the past year the ISC has accomplished several things to this end:developed a new website that makes finding both meetings and information about EA easier to do; launched an iphone
app for easy access to EA information anywhere; and created new, easier-to-use packets to start meetings and to welcome new members.
I see the next 12 months as pivotal for EA. Mental health is at the forefront of discussion in this country today and EA’sprogram is a proven one – but not enough people know about it. This needs to change. Do you have ideas for how tospread the word/start more groups/get more people to keep coming back? I welcome your ideas and your efforts.
Please email me at director@emotionsanonymous.org and let’s find new ways to reinvigorate this program that hasdone so much for so many already...Elaine Weber Nelson, Executive Director

September tools:
Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Tradition 9: EA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly
responsible to those they serve.
Helpful Concept 9: We utilize the program , we do not analyze it. Understanding comes with experience. Each day
we apply some part of the program to our personal lives.
Promise 9: Our relationships with other people improve.
JFT 9: Just for today I will have a quiet time of meditation wherein I shall think of my Higher Power, of myself, andof my neighbor. I shall relax and seek truth.

Slogan 9: This too shall pass.

Of Importance to Groups:
Join us for our 2016 EA Convention dedicated to achieving and maintaining our PERSONAL EmotionalHealth. Experience our SIX SPEAKERS, EIGHT WORKSHOPS, daily meditation sessions and Emotions Anonymous groupmeetings! Join us to find and renew YOUR NEW WAY OF LIFE.
The discounted registration has been extended until September 2.

Memorials and Special Gifts:
In memory of Gillian W,
EA Auckland, New Zealand GroupTo help support this publication, donations can be made to: EA Connection

EA Tools
Step 9: Made direct amends
to such people wherever
possible, except when to doso would injure them orothers.
I find Step 9 can be a bit challenging. It seems to me that there areseveral things to consider such aswhether an amend will do more harmthan good. I have a couple of situations where I know this to be true. Iknow for a fact that even though I
participated in having a pastor"kicked out" of his church, because
he had an affair with a parishioner, I
did it in an unkind way. Finding him,
apologizing for the way I handled
myself could do no good, and could
potentially drag his family into it.
No good could come from it.
The only amend that is usefuland productive in a case likethis is my resolution to never be involved in that way,in a similar situation, again.
When an amend can be harmful tome, such as re-establishing an extremely abusive relationship, evenlong enough to admit my part in it,
however small, would not be healthy
for me. So, again, my amends mustcome in a different way. Possibly
encouraging and helping someone
else get out of a relationship likemine was.
I also must accept the fact that inchoosing to make amends, they may
not be accepted, and be thrown backin my face. If that happens, I simply
have to say to myself, I've done what
I can, and the case is closed.
If someone I wish I had made amends
to has died, I can do some good in theworld. Taking a meal to a shut in,planting a tree in their memory, performing some act of kindness forsomeone. Something as simple ashelping a handicapped or elderly person load their groceries into their car
when I see they're having difficulties.
I see this as a way of making amends.

There are many ways of making
amends, besides a face to face apology. And there are times these otherways are the better choice. My opinion, obviously. But once I have done
what I can, it's time to let it go andmove on. My resolve to be a better,kinder person as I make my way
through the world is enough. And if I
believe that I am owed amends byanother person...I also need to let thatgo. I am only powerful over myself.
And yes, what may seem simple onthe surface might not be...Abby
Making amends—how do I know
when I have paid my debt in full? I
can only do the best I can - sometimes it is impossible to make directamends and then I can try to find away to make indirect amends. I am
powerless over others. If it would
hurt them too much for me to makeamends, I pray for the serenity to accept that. Equally, if my emotions
are still too difficult for me to beready to make amends, I trust in myHigher Power that this will change inHis way and in His time.
Most of all I need to forgive myself
for not being the superwoman I wastold I could be if I wanted it badly
enough. I can make amends to myself by accepting that life is not allabout taking risks and living on
adrenaline, that I am worthy of being
loved and cared for...Sarah

Slogan 9: This too shall pass.
This too shall pass is one of my favorite slogans. It has taken me
through many hard times. It is soeasy to forget that whatever is happening is happening in this moment
only, tomorrow it could be completely different. Feeling of grief lighten
as time passes, arguments with a special love one get resolved, someone
who seems to have gone away comesback into your life. If we just let theriver flow or the stream trickle whatever it is that is bothering us willpass. In the end, it is all about God's
will for us and His wisdom is far su-perior to ours...KarenI am grateful that the mir acle of"This too shall pass" has happened
once again. I had a rough start to myday with thoughts of loneliness andhopeless running through my head on
my way to work. It even took a little
while for them to move on when I
was at work. I attended Mass at noon
and, although I was there physically,
it just wasn't doing anything for me.
I am grateful that I know that feelings
aren't permanent and that I can bedoing the right things, but not feellike it or feel like it is making a difference. I also know that if I do what
the program tells me to do, like taking positive action and looking forthe good, eventually my feelings will
follow.
It has not been a great day, but I cansay that my day is a success, because
program teaches me that if I have myserenity, my day is a success. I am
grateful for EAnon and for my EA
meeting, because I know that there I
can find people who will understandme and with whom I can feel athome...JoeI often reflect on this slogan— ithas helped me too many times tocount. For some time now, perhaps ayear or more I also look at the slogan
another way. In the way that evengood times will pass—everything
passes. So when I am feeling like myworld is in top shape I remember toappreciate those good times, savor
them, try to make them last because
as life goes, even this good time willpass. Things change—constantly, I
want to be ready to accept thosechanges, to accept what life brings tome. I can only control so much, yet
I can control much because I am thethinker in my world. I choose myreactions to life. I love this slogan, I
have used it during many trying
times, second by second, minute byminute. ...Twyla

Ea tools applied: H.A.L.T.
H.A.L.T.
As on the highways, there are directional signs in my life which warn me of possible mishaps,
signs such as H.A.L.T., which reminds me never to get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Mybehavior can be, and often is, affected by any of those four feelings….Today Book August 16
I am slipping, when I look ar ound me in a gr oup of people, and feel left out, inappr opr iate, afr aid that I am notenough for anyone there. I am slipping, when I look around my house and notice all the things wrong with my messes,
rather than what is right. I am slipping, when I find myself unable to decide what to do first, or when I find myself
anxious and unable to focus on what someone else is saying to me. I am slipping, when I am afraid of myself. All, or
any of these, can be a signal that it is time to HALT.
Each of us learns as we gain experience, what our slips might look like and over time we know our triggers. One day at atime, life becomes more livable, less chaotic. We develop a sort of insurance plan that helps us navigate "slips" with a bit
more awareness. Heck I still get muddy in a slip, but I can always take a refreshing shower and erase the mess and startagain...Victoria
Today my emotions seem ver y intense, and I don’t really know why. Almost always, when I am feeling strongemotions, I am somewhere in HALT (too hungry, angry, lonely, tired). Almost always, I’m tired, and usually one ormore of the others too. So, for today, I hope to be very nice to myself. I’m grateful to this group for regular reminders
to do so. It makes such a huge difference. I’m so grateful to know that I’m powerless over my emotions, because it hashelped me do less “stuffing” of my feelings. Acceptance has helped me so much too. When I can accept the facts of mysituation, I don’t fight it so much. All these help me with finding peace…GailH.A.L.T. is a r eally good acr onym in the pr ogr am and sometimes I for get to use it when things star t
getting to me. Hungry, I eat when I need to as my stomach will remind me. Angry, that anger is muchdiminished thru resolving a long and deep anger issue with a parent as I knew I had to get to the root of why Iwas angry at myself. The rest of anger that pops up is where I'm working on turning it over by using theprogram. Lonely, I use the Loop to feel not so alone, family/friends support, and now got a wonderful guy in mylife that is such a blessing to me and loves me unconditionally even with my faults and rough past, very positive andsupportive. Tired, that's a work in progress as my "sleep clock" has been somewhat messed up for several months as it
has affected the way I feel physically and mentally. Along with prayer and meditation, an ounce of cherry juice
concentrate (as recommended by my therapist) is helping so far...Janelle
One way of wor king the pr ogr am is r ecognizing HALTS befor e I r eact to a situation. Checking in with myself—
H—Am I hungry? A—Am I feeling angry about something? L—Am I feeling lonely? T—Am I tired? (I've added an"S" to the end to make HALTS.) S—Am I stressed about other things?
Today, I am tired. Thanks to HALT’S, I was able to r ecognize why I was feeling impatient, sensitive, judged,overwhelmed, and annoyed. I was even able to tell my husband: “I am tired,” instead of blowing up at him or anyone
else around. Grateful just for today for a program, a loving Higher Power, music, headphones and visiting myparents...Bashie
I like HALT, it helps me to see mor e what is going on with me and take time to help myself. If I am hungr y, I
check to see if I have eaten recently and if I haven't, I tend to that or at least get a little snack if I have already eaten. If I
am angry, I write out my feelings in my journal and I talk things over with my sponsor or Psychologist and that helps me
to not be as angry. I learn to let go of anger more lately as I do not like the feelings of living in anger. I willingly turnover my anger to my Higher Power. If I am lonely, I try and make times that friends of mine and I can get together. I
make sure I reach out to others at meetings I attend, too. I go to extra 12 step meetings if I am really lonely, too. I findthat often someone else just needs to have a listening ear and I can be that at times, too. I also know my Higher Power isalways here with me, so if I remember that, then I know I am not alone. If I am tired, I will take a little rest or even sleep
in a little longer if need be, that is if I don't have something scheduled. I do plan days where I can relax more. Today I
was tired after working at my volunteer job, so I just rested lots after work and felt better after. I am grateful for our little
saying we have in the program. Whenever I get upset about something, I check the HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely orTired) in me and see if any of that is coming into play with my upset and then take care of those
things as best as I can with my Higher Powers help. Grateful for EA...Connie

2015—2016 ea board of trustees
Region 1: Northwest
CAN: AB, BC, MB, ON, SK
USA: AK, ID, MN, MT, ND, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY
Position Vacant: Temporary Contact
Scott J—Email: sdjakel@gmail.com

507-276-0323

Region 2: Southwest - President
USA: AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT
Gus S—Email: schloessergus@gmail.com

602-319-3890

Region 3: Central
ISC 651-647-9712
USA: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE
Position Vacant: For help or information contact ISC
Region 4: Southeast
USA:Tyrell D—Email: atdear08@gmail.com

706-782-2328
Puerto RicoRegion 5: Northeast - Secretary
CAN: NB, NF, NS, NT, PE,YT
USA: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
Valerie C—Email: valcea@gmx.com

585-371-4347

Region 6: French-speaking Canada
819-319-9912
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General Service Trustee - Vice President
Vince C—Email: vincovea@yahoo.com

603-891-1431

General Service Trustee - Trustee-at-large603-425-2141

Harold F—Email: hthnhhugs@aol.com
General Service Trustee Scott J—Email: sdjakel@gmail.com

507-276-0323

Non-member TrusteePhyllis R—Email: eaphyllisr@hotmail.com

623-915-5795

Slogan 9—this too shall pass:
When faced with a horrible obstacle that seems permanent, we have a tendency to catastrophize and crumble indiscouragement. But even those things which may make us consider suicide will pass in relatively short order so wecan get on with our life. Vince C For me, this too shall pass, is a slogan I use in positive and negative ways. Whenthings are going great, I keep myself from being too disappointed when the happy moments go by saying, "thistoo….". I also can find hope during dark days by remembering that tough times won't last because "this too…". Thisslogan can even help me with facing my own mortality. When I think about my earthly existence, I'm humbled to say,in the end, "this too…" ...Scott J When I am facing a problem that makes my life unmanageable, I know that whenI turn it over to the care of my Higher Power, my loving God will take care of the problem. I have faith in him. Theproblem might not be resolved when I want it but in God’s time. I know that because of God this too shallpass...France B
This slogan is a significant one for me, as it reminds me that nothing lasts forever, no matter whatemotion or feeling I might be dealing with at the moment, be it anger, anxiety or fear. I simply have to live through it,relying on the other tools of our EA program, and things will return to normal. What a healthy slogan this is!...Gus S

Celebrating Recovery
September marks my 40th year in 12 Step recovery. I want to share with you what an important part EA
has played in that recovery. I came to work for EA in 1990 as your Executive Director, and semi-retired in2012. I grew up in an angry alcoholic family . Anger terrified me but yet it also became to be my most popular defense
against fear, hurt, and feelings of inadequacy. I believe that the inability to deal with emotions is often an issue forthose in recovery. EA has helped me to deal with mine in a more positive
Events Far and Near:manner. So, EA—thank you for all you have taught me, thank you for the
EA Retreat October 7-9, Glen Rose TX many friends I have made through EA, and last but not least, thank you for“How to live with unsolved problems”
a deeper understanding of my Higher Power.
Speaker Kathy R , Milwaukee, WI
Karen Mead , Editor, EA Connection, a grateful recovering alcoholic.
$120 2-nights & 5 meals For info Ann (817)714-8761/ Anita (926)646-3584

28th Anniversary Public Info MeetingOctober 25, 2016,7:45pm
2095 W Market St, Akron,
For Info: 234-206-1232
E-mail: emotionsanon@yahoo.com

Emotions Anonymous™

Email Addresses:

PO Box 4245
St Paul, MN 55104
Phone 651-647-9712
Fax 651-647-1593
Hours: Monday—Friday: 10 to 4
www.EmotionsAnonymous.org

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

If you have an event you would like to see listed here, send your information to editor@emotionsanonymous.org