April, 2021
Volume 1, Issue 12

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

Serving EAI as a Trustee — Paul N.
Thousands of people around the world have experienced the benefits ofworking the Emotions Anonymous program since the organization’s
founding 50 years ago. During that time, hundreds of members have
served as trustees to ensure the stewardship and growth of Emotions
Anonymous International. So what does being a trustee entail?
One important aspect of being a trustee is actively participating in themonthly board meetings. Items covered in monthly board meetings typically include the development and approval of literature, financial statement reviews, and other current organizational business. Trustees wholive in the U.S. attend the annual meeting in person. This is an opportunity to report on the past year’s activities and gather input from members.
Trustees also attend a two-day board workshop each fall, when trustees
and the executive director plan organizational strategy for the coming
year. These meetings are typically held in-person as an opportunity fortrustees to build relationships and better understand one another and theirprimary contributions. In 2020 the workshop was held virtually.
Another important responsibility is to respond to inquiries about starting
new groups. When an individual submits an inquiry online to start a newgroup, the central office sends them information and a board member
follows up to provide the person an opportunity to ask questions. Writingis also an important part of being a trustee. All members are encouraged
to submit writings that can be included in literature and/or online to ensure that regular new content is available for EA members.
The current board of trustees is a diverse group of people from different
ethnic and geographic backgrounds from across the U.S. and from Iran.
Applications are now open and are due by June 1, with terms starting on
July 1. Application forms are available on the website here. Requirements
include five years of Twelve Step experience and at least two years inEA, completion of Steps four and five, and a good working knowledge ofthe Steps, Traditions and Concepts, as well as basic computer skills. If
you have questions about whether applying to be a trustee is right foryou, please send me a note at paul.nouri@gmail.com.
I strongly encourage you to apply if you feel that you can contribute tohelp continue and grow this important program.

Staying in touch withsomeone from theprogram between
meetings can help keep
negative thoughts away.
Try reaching out more
often.

Your Trustees
Scott J.— MN
507-276-0323
sdjakel@gmail.com
President
John 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
Behzad Arabpour Dahouei —Iran0098 913 341 4015
Behzad_7761@yahoo.com

Good reminders — ML
April’s Tools forRecovery
Step 4
Made a searching andfearless moral inventory ofourselves.
Promise 4
No matter how far down
the scale we have gone, wesee how our experiencecan benefit others.
Just for Today 4
I will take care of myphysical health; I willexercise my mind; I will
read something spiritual.
Slogan 4
Live and let live.
Helpful Concept 4
We do not judge; we donot criticize; we do notargue. We do not give
advice regarding personalor family affairs.
Tradition 4
Each group should be
autonomous except inmatters affecting othergroups or EA as a whole.

It's easy for me to drift backinto my judgement and criticalways. These are a couple ofmy big meanies that recyclefrom time to time.
I'm reminded that other people's business IS NONE OF
MY BUSINESS. It's often alittle tap on the wrist or asmall reprimand rather than an
all out blowup. Thankfully.
I'm also reminded that being
kind to myself is part of "Liveand Let Live." It can feel challenging when these two defects start to get in my way,especially when I thought I
had left them behind for good.
Lol.
I've had a couple days where I
had to express some anger
with HP… I couldn't quite
square the COVID virus pan-demic, losing our dream vacation, and an unfinished building sitting abandoned in ourbackyard. Still...
The good far outweighs thebad. I'm always grateful tostart my day with my HP.
Even challenging days are somuch better working this program. I CAN live with unsolved problems. I can breakthings down, handle what I
can and turn the rest over tomy loving, supportive HigherPower.
I have different "names" formy HP, but it is always thesame presence. Steady, calm,patient and loving. And this isthe best of EA for me. I always have a place (someone/something) to turn - alongwith the good, orderly direction defined by the Steps.

Did you know…
We’ve released a lot of new literature recently, as well as
updated some older pieces. You can find more informationon our website.




#91— Comfort Zone
#92— Pushing Away our Feelings#94— Guilt#95— Gratitude#54— Depression#46— Anger

You can find the Trustee Reflections on the website,www.emotionsanonymous.org.
This month we focus on Step 4.
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Contribution Gratitude

Choosing a Constructive Bridge — Scott V.

EAI could not operate without donations and we deeply appreciate yoursupport! Recent gifts have been received from these groups:I read a Loop post about the difference between friends andthose that give us personal inventories by using “you” statements. It got me thinking about my own “fearless moral inventory.” I know that I am supposed to make an inventory ofmyself (and I have on several occasions). I keep peeling backlayers of emotion regarding old friends that I feel have abandoned me, old girlfriends and the experiences with them, both
good and bad, as well as places I’ve been.

Bend, ORUkiah, CA
Virginia Beach, VA
Midwest City, OK
Burlington, IAZoom Tues 8 PM, ET
Doylestown, PA

EA Grupo “Concordia”(Valencia, Spain)

Administrative News
We continue to receive requests for
copyright permission from around theworld to translate EA materials andstart new groups. We’re planning to
make some changes to the website tobetter reflect EAI’s global presence
and to make sure that our EA friends
throughout the world can utilize thewebsite to it’s fullest capacity.
Our EA books are flying out the door
these days! We have seen an uptick incase orders for both the main EA bookas well as our Today meditation book.
We recently received an order for
3,000 (yes, you read that correctly) of
the Pamphlet #1 (the Yellow Pamphlet) to be distributed to hospitals
and facilities in California. Wow!
We will be launching a member survey in the next couple of weeks that
focuses on understanding how theprogram has helped members. Pleasewatch for it in your email inbox and/or on the website and respond! All
responses will be anonymous.
Claire, Carleen, Sandy, and Elaine
continue to be in good health andgrateful that spring has arrived inMinnesota!

I don’t really have anybody other than my wife that will use
the phrase, “You should...,” when it comes to offering advice
about how best to navigate my emotions; and depending on
how it’s presented/my current state of mind I can find it helpful or very detrimental to my progress. Sometimes I dismiss
her advice, sometimes I attempt to employ it, sometimes it’shurtful.
However, I’m more concerned about the judge and jury in myhead that constantly, constantly seems to be giving me aninventory in the most harmful manner. My inner critic points
its finger at me, laughs at me, condemns me and never affirms me in any way. It makes me relive old experiences andfantasize about new ones and then condemns me for it. It
keeps me seeking soothing, calming experiences and thencondemns me for indulging in them. My inner critic keeps mefrom obtaining what I see as my “best self” that lies just beyond a chasm too wide to cross — and condemns me for it.
So, how do I distinguish the difference between giving myself a fearless moral inventory by choice and the ever present
critic in my head?
An inventory, as I understand it, is revealing and sometimes
painful, yet is the constructive bridge to a better more balanced emotional life; while my inner critic only serves tokeep me in my misery playing old tapes in my head that serveno constructive purpose.
As I see it, Personal Inventories enhance life. Inner Criticism
takes life away.
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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