October, 2020
Volume , Issue 6

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

Trustee reflection— Scott J.
Thanks to everyone who was able to call in by phone or use GoToMeeting to attend EAI’s Membership Annual Meeting on Sept. 25th,
2020. This was an important gathering time for the fellowship that happens each year (and it’s required by Minnesota state law!).
In the past, the Annual Membership Meeting has been a part of an annual
EAI Convention. However, since attendance at Conventions declined andcosts have risen, the Trustees felt that it was irresponsible to keep holding
them and discontinued them three years ago. Trustees do meet annuallyfor a board workshop—this year’s event this was held virtually!
Due to the pandemic, and to save the costs of meeting face-to-face, thisyear was our first completely virtual Annual Meeting. We had 27 participants who answered the role call at the meeting. We had some technicalchallenges (since this was our first virtual meeting!) We were grateful foreveryone’s patience.
We heard a comprehensive and helpful report from our Executive Director, Elaine Weber Nelson. As the president of the Board of Trustees, Icovering the five strategic goals of EAI for this next fiscal year (this information will be posted on the website). There was also a treasurer’s report as part of a financial update, as well as reports from both the Communications Committee and the Bylaws Review Committee.
The following topics were brought up by members during the meeting:the request to make the Yellow Pamphlet free, intergroups, EA’s upcoming 50th anniversary, having more of an EA presence in prisons, andsome brief conversation on how our tools are shared at meetings.
Hopefully you know of several new ways of participating in the EA program (Zoom/telephone meetings, and others) as well as about the recent
new literature available (e.g. the Welcoming the Spiritual Awakening
Within Me workbook). We also hope you know all the ways to find out
more about what’s going on in EA (EAI’s website/the EA App and thenew discussion forum rolled out in the last few weeks - you can find thisat emotionsanonymousloop.com).
We’re grateful for people’s patience as these new and exciting ways toreach more people who can benefit from our program are presented. Astrustees and EAI staff, we’re always open to your ideas and feedback.

Quick Tip of theMonth
Some groups struggle tohave people share too muchor (surprisingly) not longenough during group sharing time. Using an old fashioned egg-timer or just atimer on a phone can help
people know how short or
how long to make the shareof their experience, strengthand hope.

Your Trustees
Scott J.— MN
507-276-0323
sdjakel@gmail.com
President
John W.— MN
612-760-0313johnwerner52@gmail.com
Vice President
Colleen C.— MN
651-245-5461
coyne2003@hotmail.com
Secretary
Paul N.— NJ
929-399-6515
aibtikarfoundation@gmail.com
Treasurer
Derita P.— OH
216-624-3559
deritapippen@gmail.com
Steve B.— CA
909-438-4938
stevebell_28@yahoo.com
Kelsey W.— IL
618-334-6658
knlweez@gmail.com
Bezhad Arabpour Dahouei—Iran0098 913 341 4015
Behzad_7761@yahoo.com

OCTOBER’S TOOLSNew Ways of Seeing — Dolores G.

FOR RECOVERYThe RFT from June 23 said: Before becoming a part of theprogram, I was selfish and inconsiderate. There were so manytimes I said, “Me first.” I manipulated and maneuvered others
into doing what I thought was right. Selfishly, I demanded thateveryone else do what I wanted. If they didn’t, I sulked and I
stormed. If that didn’t work, I developed a headache or mysterious pain to get the attention I thought I needed or deserved. I
am trying today to be more consider of others, more aware of
their needs.

Step 10
Continued to take personal inventoryand when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
1Promise 10
We intuitively know how to handle
situations which used to baffle us
Just for Today 10
I shall be unafraid. Particularly, I
shall be unafraid to be happy, toenjoy what is good, what is beautiful, and what is lovely in life.

I saw myself in this reflection only too clearly. I became very
sad and ashamed to realize my manipulation — right down to
the headaches and the mysterious pain. But now I see thatthese were habits formed early in life when I felt unheard anddisregarded. This was learned behavior that was triggered inme as an adult whenever I feel minimized, squelched, orpassed over.

Slogan 10
I need people
Helpful Concept 10
We have not found it helpful toplace labels on any degree of illness or health. We may have different symptoms, but the underlying emotions are the same or similar. We discover we are not uniquein our difficulties and illnesses.
Tradition 10
Emotions Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the EA
name ought never be drawn into
public controversy.

Today I have learned new ways to deal with those feelings. Ican speak up on my behalf as an equal, an adult — not as thatforgotten child lost in the shuffle. I am as important as others. Not "me, only" or "me, first" but "me, too."Principle 10: Perseverance— Luz M. (Spain)
Perseverance is one method to create healthier habits inthe future — day by day. Persevering in the EA program moves me toward fulfillment of the 12 Promises.
Staying on track helps make significant achievements
in my personal power and growth possible.
I will persevere.

FREE!
The main pamphlet of theEA program (#1— the “YellowPamphlet”) is now available
for free! Find it on thewebsite or add it to yournext order!

You can find the Trustee Reflections on the website,www.emotionsanonymous.org.
This month we focus on Promise 10.
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Contribution Gratitude

I Need People — Zoe

EAI could not operate without donations and we deeply appreciate yoursupport! Recent gifts have been received from these groups:

I was struggling to find a program for myself. I attended
different types of 12 step programs, but none worked forme. Eventually, I found EA. But it was not like everything
was fixed.

Isabela, PR

Shaker Heights, OHSt. Paul, MN Wed
Glen Ellyn, IL Bend, OR Sat ZoomUkiah, CAMidwest City, OKEugene, OR

I struggled to truly surrender myself andto keep myself involved with EA. When I read the books,I saw a glimmer of hope — but it all sounded like afarce. And then the one month mark since I went to my first
EA meeting passed and I realized I am nota different person, rather a changed person.

In Memory of:The neurons in my brain have rearranged ever so slightly —in just the right ways. This morning, I read "moving in theright direction" in the EA book. As I was reading it,
I found that I now had the beliefs written there.

Burlington, IA

Mandel "Max" Nevitsky, fromDeborah S.

In Gratitude of:Bend, OR Zoom Meetings,
from Sharon W.

Administrative News
September was a busy month, getting
ready for the Annual Membership
Meeting and the annual Board workshop. Usually, the Board meets in person each year — this year we opted tomeet virtually both because of thepandemic and to save costs. Threehours on a computer in a meeting can
be challenging!
The meeting was focused on developing a strategic plan to guide the organization during the next 12 months.
EAI’s goals are to increase the number of groups, increase the number ofEA members involved in some way,build awareness of the program, stabilize the organization’s finances, andfind ways to encourage groups to focus on healthy practices. This plan
will help both the Trustees and staff
focus on activities that will move theorganization forward and help tospread the EA message more broadly.

I know I am on the right bus, heading to the right place. Iam determined to let go of my old ways, and I know I am
among people who understand. I now have a sponsor, andI began to call people on the phone. I am feeling that I
can overcome any difficult emotion that comes
my way since I have support, and people to talk to.

Did you know?
In the past 12 months, more than 160,000 people visited theEA website—that’s about 14,000 every month! Whew! And
we had almost 300 people ask for information on how tostart a new group! EA is growing and we can use your help
to spread the word however you feel comfortable.

Please write!
We encourage member reflections! Please submit yours tosubmissions@emotionsanonymous.org. Reflections should be
no more than 200 words. Please note which step/promise/
tradition etc. you are referencing.

Office Information*
EAI P.O. Box 4245 St. Paul MN 55104-0245
Office Hours: M-TH 10a.m.—3 p.m. CT Phone: 651-647-9712
www.emotionsanonymous.org
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