December 2020
Volume 1, Issue 8

Quick Tip of theMonthStrength & Hope
A message in support of emotional well-being.

Stop to think, breathe andconsider the options before
acting on your emotions orthoughts; within that pause,
you may find your HigherPower.

What We’ve Lost and Gained — Colleen C.
This holiday season, approaching the end of a very difficult year,
it would be easy to reflect on things I’ve (at least temporarily)
lost. Instead I’d like to focus on what I’ve found. I have found theability to rely on my Higher Power like a reliable friend to get me
through dark times, even when I’m sad, tired, or distracted. I’ve
learned that I can have a program even though I may not be able
to live that program 100% every day. I’ve found that I can reallybe together with people while staying six feet, or even severalstates, apart. I’ve learned that people smile with their eyes andthat despite wearing a mask, I can make someone’s day with justthat kind of smile.
I have found that I can mourn and I can hope at the same time. Ican revisit Step One as often as I need to, and for me, practicing
acceptance daily is critical. I can be happy that I have a homegroup that supports me over the internet in much the same way
we used to support each other in person. Sometimes we even cry
together.
In some ways, I feel more vulnerable than I ever have, and thatjust makes me human like everyone else. Silence isn’t a void tobe filled but an opportunity to listen for serenity. I’ve learned I
have to be a little silly every day at the same time I need to takemore seriously the responsibility of trusting myself and beinghonest.
The holidays mean many different things to people worldwide,
but that diversity is something to be thankful for. This year, morethan ever, I am grateful for the EA program and all of us striving
together for emotional wellness, whether we’re from Minnesota,
California, Geneva, Nairobi or Iran. This year, the world seemed
like a smaller place to me, and that’s okay. I know I am not alone.
And that is the best gift anyone can receive.

Your Trustees
Scott J.— MN
507-276-0323
sdjakel@gmail.com
PresidentJohn W.— MN
612-760-0313
johnwerner52@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

Living Life on Life’s Terms - Lynn A.
December’s Tools
for Recovery
Step 12
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps,
we tried to carry this message,
and to practice these principles
in all our affairs.

Promise 12
We realize that God is doing for
us what we could not do ourselves.

Just for Today 12
I choose to believe that I canlive this one day.

Slogan 12

When I first entered the rooms of recovery, I heard differing accounts.
Twelve steps, but not one path was the same. Sure, there may be similar stories, but never identical ones. I learned that each account consisted of experience, strength and hope. 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 the program the wrong way and theright way. Every one authentic- a testament of the path taken and theexperience, strength and hope gleaned from such a journey.
Working recovery means living life on life's terms, not mine. Thatmeans I need to suit up and show up each day, ready to be the faithfulstudent of my Higher Power's will for me. That is not always comfortable, and the challenges increase with each day in recovery. I remember
the initial God shot I received shortly after entering recovery. It waspowerful and addictive and I wanted more of it. That is a powerful motivating force and it held me steady for the life lessons I would encounter on my journey. When I was morally and spiritually bankrupt, I had
nothing to give, so I took. But when I entered recovery, and I began toaccumulate experience, strength and hope, then I had something togive 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.

I have a choice.

Helpful Concept 12
Part of the beauty and wonder of the EA program is thatat meetings we can say anything and know it stays there.
Anything we hear at a meeting, on the telephone, orfrom another member is confidential and is not to be repeated to anyone—EA members, mates, families, relatives or friends.

Tradition 12
Anonymity is the spiritual
foundation of our traditions,ever reminding us to placeprinciples before personalities.

Reflecting back, I understand why we are not given the play book. If I
had the answers, why would I need a Higher Power? I wouldn't. Not
having the answers keeps me humble, and faithful. It also helps me toaccept what I do not know, and find comfort in that. My experience,
strength and hope gives me the answers I need each day. Keep comingback. Yes, no matter what the troubles of the world, in my little corner,
all is well—even if it may not be the way I think it should be. 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, but every 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 mind. Beware of the traps and pitfalls.
Don't ever think that recovery only consists of the good days. Nochange ever occurs without pain. It is no challenge to do what I wantor what is easy. Overcoming challenges, creatively moving throughdark days or depression, leaning on your Higher Power to help you
through painful losses, that is where experience, strength and hope ispriceless. It cannot do the work for you, but if you pay attention, it canprovide you with a real 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.
You can find this month’s Trustee Reflections on Promise #12
on the website, www.emotionsanonymous.org.
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Contribution Gratitude

Giving up Control — Gail G.

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

I had fears of what God would ask me to be and do, fears of alife I did not want to lead. Slowly, my faith has developed towhere I am willing and able to turn my life over to God. Pieceby piece, I have ventured to give up control of my will and lifeand let God have control. Many times I take control back. At
no time has it worked out better for me to have been in control
rather than God. Every time God has been in control, it has
worked out for the best. My spiritual progress has been gradual. As my trust in God has grown, the areas I surrender to myHigher Power have increased.—Today, July 13.

Austin, TX
Bend, OR
Midwest City, OK
Vienna, VA
Burlington, IA
St. Paul, MN (Dayton)
Tues & Sat Spiritual
Awakening Zoom Groups

MN's Give to the Max
day 2020:$751/16 Donors

I really like this reflection, because I really have had that fear the fear that God/ Higher Power is going to make me do something that I don't want to do, be somebody that I'm not, or don't
want to be. It really does seem to be about giving up control. "Every time God has been in control, it has worked out
for the best." When I'm really in a place of not seeing that, I
forget about it, and I end up thinking about the past, the future,and feeling sorry for myself. When I return to a place of willingness, I find peace. Grateful for this program.

The Strength of Sharing at a Meeting
Administrative News- Chrissy F.

Much work during the past month has
focused on our international efforts.

I have been on the verge of a
spiritual awakening. Once I
felt as though I had "crossedover," I could not containmy excitement. So when I
got discouraged by friends
who didn't understand thenew me, I remembered mynewly found program, andattended a meeting thatnight. Of course, the topic

We are working on organizing ourSpanish literature into ‘regular’ EA
pamphlets and adding to the material
in this language.
The French Canadians (PFEA) havecreated a new website and new domain name, which is
now www.emotifsanonymes.org.
The Germans have been very busy—
holding a successful conference in thefall and writing new material which
we will be translating into English andsharing soon.
We welcomed a new board member
this fall from Iran. We are very happy
to have Behzad offer his point of view
on EAI and he is willing to stay up
until 2 a.m. to join our meetings (dueto the time difference)!

was something that I needed
to hear to help encourage me
to keep moving forward. I
believe it will be a turning
point for me in working myprogram.
I believe from now on, nomatter my emotion, my safest place for sharing is EA.
Thank you, EA, for that security.

Please write!
We encourage member reflections! Please submit yours to
submissions@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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