EA Connection—July 2016Your monthly newsletter from isc

From the Executive Director, International Service Center
What does being part of Emotions Anonymous mean to you? Do you find that you feel more able to cope with life after
attending a meeting—whether in person, on the ‘net, phone, or chat? When you’re having a rough day, do the EA materials help you see things more clearly? I hope so, because that’s what I think EA is supposed to do. Attending
meetings, reading the materials, talking to others—all of these activities can help us cope with the difficulties of lifeand—hopefully—find new ways to frame what we face. There has been a lot of research and writing about social isolation and the damage it can do, not only to our mental well-being, but to our physical selves as well. When things aren’t
going so well, I think a natural tendency is to isolate. But the principles behind EA encourage us to do the opposite , toseek out others, to talk about our feelings, to reframe and refocus. If you agree that there are benefits to being involved in EA, would you consider helping to share the message? We have small posters you could put in local libraries
or coffee shops, business cards you could pass out to people who might be interested in attending a meeting, new“Welcoming the Newcomer” packets available for groups to give to new attendees, an EA Recovery app that offers ‘onthe-go’ steps and ideas, and a website jam-packed with all kinds of information! We’d like to see existing groups growstronger and more stable, new groups form, and more members get involved in service work at a level that supports
the expansion of the program. Someday I hope never to tell someone that we don’t have a group in your area again!
We need regional trustees, committee members, and individuals at the local level willing to commit to spreading theword. Email me at director@emotionsanonymous.org if you’re interested in taking on a new role in an organization you
value...Elaine Weber Nelson, Executive Director

July tools:
Step 7: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Tradition 7: Every EA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Helpful Concept 7: Emotions Anonymous is a spiritual program, not a religious program.
We do not advocate any particular belief system.
Promise 7: Self-seeking slips away.
Just For Today 7: Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I willsave my self from two pests—hurry and indecision.

Slogan 7: By the grace of God

Of Importance to Groups
Trustee positions in Regions 1, 3 and 5 are open for the next year as our Board rotates service periods. Are you interested in a service opportunities in EA? Want to get to know the groups in your region better? Nomination forms have been
sent to all group contacts. If you would like a form, email Bobbie Jo at groupdata@emotionsanonymous.org. If you havesomeone in mind (or you would like to nominate yourself!) please submit the form to begin the selection process.
Groups will vote on new regional trustees in the fall and terms begin after the 2016 Convention.

Memorials and Special Gifts:
Patricia G—In memory of Joseph Scully
To help support this publication, donations can be made to: EA Connection

EA Tools
Step 7: Humbly asked Him toremove our shortcomings.
I'm focusing on Steps six and sevenagain, as my character defects are
causing me problems. I am learning
to love myself and accept myself exactly as I am, warts and all, but I really want the willingness to let go ofthese defects. I have had a lot ofpain, sometimes repeated on a regular basis, by hanging onto these defects, and so I don't want to keep
going down the same roads again
and again. I want to choose to surrender rather than only surrendering
when it hurts.
What I really don't understand andwhat I need help with is whether I
work on all of my defects at one timeor a few together. Although as I
write this I remember the book says,“we have to strive for the objectiveof being entirely ready to have all
defects removed, often by preparing
to have a few defects removed at atime' and 'we begin by picking out
the defect that causes us the mostpain.”
I am painfully aware of my self centeredness, my tendency to over commit, my impatience, intemperance
and perfectionism which together
cause intensity, and my unrealistic
expectations. I am also painfully
aware of how I resent those whoinadvertently challenge any of thethinking behind these defects. Mymain issues behind these are a fearof abandonment and a fear of death,
which may be the same thing.

But what causes me the most pain?
Probably self centeredness, impatience and perfectionism.
I'm reminded of something I readabout addicts—we don't like giving
things up so we never experience thegood things that can replace it. Maybe that's what I need to focus on, theassets that can replace these—interest in others, moderation, humility, charity, patience, calmness,accepting 'good enough', accepting
my limitations for example. That way
I can become what God intended forme...Ian
I have not been working the steps
and when I realized this a few moments ago, knew that I had to dosome writing which is a way for me
to get the insides out. But I alsoneeded to do some 7th Step reading
and, as I usually do, turned to the 12and 12. Powerful words. Helpfulwords.
This activity came about because I
was beginning to get angry and start
raging (with no one around.) But thepain I was feeling was greater than
my solution which was to act out.
Instead, I needed to face my pain
and work the steps to take the stingout of my pain and face it head on.
So I read and I wrote. This is what I
am sending to my sponsor as a resultof this. "I cannot live this way anymore. I cannot live with the shouting
pain that I have lived with for years
which grows out of an ungratefuland unsatisfied heart. As such I humbly ask God to remove all my defectsof character”...Jim
I made oatmeal for breakfast thismorning with pears from my mom'shouse. As I was peeling the pears I
thought about them and the 12steps. Pears ripen from the insideout which makes choosing the righttime to use them a bit touchy, especially if they have been bruised likethe two had. If I had used them lastweek, they would not have been ripeor tasted sweet. This week, I had tocut out the bad spots but the goodpart remaining was sweet, cooking
the pears with them in would have
spoiled all the sweetness (Step 6). I
cut them out and then diced up theremaining part which was ripe andsweet and cooked them in my oatmeal with some nice spices and ohthey tasted good. (Step 7) I would
not be who I am without the bruises
I've had in life. Before some of thosebruises, I was not ripe. After thosebruises, I am who I am. Thosebruised and spoiled spots need to beremoved, but there is still a lot ofgood and sweet in me that needs tobe saved and used rather than
thrown out just because I'm not perfect. HP, I humbly ask you to cut out
the bruises and rot as I did with thepears so that they will not spread
any further. Save the good in me
and continue the ripening process...Mary

Just for today 7: Just for today I will have a program. I
may not follow it exactly,but I will have it. I will savemy self from two pests—
hurry and indecision.
I find it helpful to make lists andcross things off as they get done. I dokeep old incomplete lists around, butl try to eventually move the incomplete items onto a new list. I also try
not to be too detailed on my list so l
don't get overwhelmed by theamount of stuff to do.
I like that JFT 7 says l don't have tofollow my own program exactly. Thisfrees me to not be locked in to mylist...JoeEa tools Applied: EAnon
EAnon is EA’s online discussion list, if you are interested in joining:
http://emotionsanonymous.org/get-involved/online-discussion-sign-up.html.
The following shares are from our newcomers.

Bouncing off the Walls
I don't remember what day I got tired of bouncing off the walls and surrendered my plan and bought the EA book andsubscribed to EAnon, but my emotional health has improved. I was watching TV with my wife tonight and got to laughing over our lap dog. I have more energy and I am starting to work at some long neglected but oh so necessary tasks. Ihave been less isolated and enjoying the few friends I have. If this continues it will be the best Christmas I have had ina long time. I have actually returned to a former hobby !!!!!!!! Maybe someday I will look in the mirror and not see astranger.
I have been reading the Indecision pamphlet and feel I have found good information on how to proceed regarding mydesire to work part time and help to make a decision as to what I should do...JohnA Quick Fix
I am in touch with conflicting issues and emotions. I want a quick fix. And I know deep down that it doesn't exist. Being
new to EA I want it to instantly heal 57 years of an emotional roller coaster. I'm adjusting to the reality that this iswork. That my moods stabilize here and there, but that it takes constant diligence to work the program. I had somewonderful moments this week. And one really great day. But I'm also struggling through the mud of the past. Boththings are true. Good days with breakthrough moments. Tough days with sadness and flirting with deeper depression.
I am thankful for the Today Book and its daily reflections and the collective wisdom of the program. As hard as thepast 2-3 days have been I did have some triumphs. I have a book contract with 20,000 words due today. I told the editor yesterday that I would not be finished. She gave me another week and was nice about it. It felt like I was being very
responsible, facing up to a responsibility.
I also did some sincere Step work this week, especially my searching and fearless moral inventory. So maybe there
were very few "highs" this week, but I did hunker down with the program to the best of my ability. I hope this doesn'tsound down. I'm not down, I'm just in the "in between" spot. I’m not used to being there...Linda

A New Perspective Needed
I’m still trying to get the hang of things but I wanted to thank all of you for your openness. I read all of the e-mails andI'm learning from them. I'm learning that although I may be powerless over others I do have power over what I do andwhat I think and how I act. I need a different perspective on how I look at things. This will in turn help me adjust myattitude when I start to over think things, which causes my anxiety and depression to kick into high gear. I am realizing
more and more that I need to channel my emotions differently in order to deal with my anxiety and depression in ahealthier manner.
With that said, today was a good day. I am grateful that my car did not overheat today, I'm grateful I had a job interview today, I'm grateful I had food to eat and air to breathe. I'm grateful I'm alive today to be able to enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful blue skies. I'm grateful for this group where I can learn and grow...Anonymous

Panic Attacks
I am new to EAnon and love reading all of the reflections and writings on this loop. I am so grateful to be able to read
all of these and not feel completely alone in my feelings for a few precious moments. I am grateful to have the capacity to believe in a Higher Power. I have terrible panic attacks that have gotten worse lately and any small thing can set
them off. Although I now have a handle on why I have them, I am as powerless as ever, and struggling to let my Higher
Power guide me through them. In fact I am trying to use sharing on EAnon to bring me through a panic attack rightnow. I am amazed that the slightest things can send me spiraling, and though I know that my Higher Power wouldn't
give me anything I can’t handle, I still wonder why me. So if I am following correctly, I am struggling with Step three. I
know that my Higher Power can restore my sanity, and I am indeed powerless over my emotions, but turning over mywill and my life to my higher power? That requires some trust I think, and is really hard at this point...Emily

2015—2016 ea board of trustees
Region 1: Northwest - Treasurer
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
IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE
Lynne S—Email: lynnesmith50@hotmail.com

712-420-2058 USA:

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
France B—E-mail: france.boulerice@gmail.com
General Service Trustee - Vice President
Vince C—Email: vincovea@yahoo.com

603-891-1431

General Service Trustee - Trustee-at-large
Harold F—Email: hthnhhugs@aol.com

603-624-8455

General Service Trustee Scott J—Email: sdjakel@gmail.com

507-276-0323

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

623-915-5795

Slogan 7: By the Grace of God
This slogan helps me avoid pitfalls which can affect my own serenity: being impatient, critical, and resentful, for example. Iknow I could not have gotten well emotionally without God’s help, so I am forever grateful for the gift of recovery so freely
given, which translates to the reality that God did for me what I was unable to do for myself...Gus S
By the Grace of God. I
have not drank due to my physical illnesses. By the Grace of God I have not harmed anyone due to my mental health andemotional issues. By the Grace of God I am a loving father, grandfather, husband and friend. By the Grace of God that I have
EA in my life. By the Grace of EA I do have God in my life…Lynne S Yes, by the grace of God! Wow, by the grace of God!
Living, by the grace of God! Incredibly, by the grace of God! Unquestionably, by the grace of God! No fear, no worry; instead
health & peace, by the grace of God! Something to ponder, by the grace of God...Tyrrel By the Grace of God, I have a wonderful life! I have good emotional health management skills through my EA Program. I am in good physical health with exercises that I learned, I have a good job with good colleagues and a good supervisor who believes in me, I have a fabulous family who loves me very much. I am grateful for my daughter and my husband who I love very much and I am grateful for myEA friends, all made possible by the Grace of God...France B “By the Grace of God” reminds me that I can’t fix myself, andneither can others. It is a waste of energy failing to be God. Instead, I should be grateful for the recovery I have been
given...Val C“Color Your Recovery”

Would you like to color your recovery? An effort has begun by EA members to develop a coloring book depicting the tools ofEA as found in the Yellow Pamphlet. Along with reinforcing our tools, coloring can also provide enjoyment and a way to calm
overwhelming emotions. Becoming more familiar with the EA tools, some may even display their works of art! All this canstimulate and encourage recovery. Please contact colorsofrecovery@gmail.com if you would like to submit designs for thecoloring book or be part of the group that puts it all together!

Events Far and Near:
Tear Down Your Walls—July 15-17
Kings House Retreat - Buffalo, MN
Contact Diana G 763-755-9317
E-mail: dlsg@usfamily.net

2016 Convention Registration
Registration for the 2016 Convention in Tempe, Arizona is available online! Go toemotionsanonymous.org and click on ‘upcoming activities’ and select the date on
the event calendar (September 23-25) or click on the link on the slideshow as it
scrolls across the page. Sign up early and receive a discount! The Convention isgoing to be GREAT!!

Events Far and Near:

Emotions Anonymous™

Email Addresses:

28th Anniversary Public Info Meeting

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

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

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

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