THE EA CONNECTION: DECEMBER 2019
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EA TOOLS FOR RECOVERY
Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message and topractice these principles in all our affairs.
Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles
before personalities.
Slogan 12: I have a choice
Promise 12: We realize that God is doing for us what we could not do ourselves.
Just for Today 12: I choose to believe I can live this one day.
Helpful Concept 12: Part of the beauty and wonder of the EA program is that at meetings we can say anything
and know it stays there. Anything we hear at a meeting, on the telephone, or from another member isconfidential and is not to be repeated to anyone—EA members, mates, families, relatives or friends.

FROM YOUR EA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
I know that whether I celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, the vast range of otherwinter festivals around the world, or no holidays at all, the Program is there for me. Some of my holiday
memories are great and I enjoy recreating them in my own home. Other special days have been darker andI've truly had to rely on the Serenity Prayer, the Just for Todays, my meeting and my phone contacts to makeit through. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today, with 35 years in the EA fellowship, without the tools I
use daily to understand myself and my world. My Higher Power walks next to me each day during joyful
moments, sad times, celebrations when I'm surrounded by family or friends, and quiet times when I feelalone. Other people are there for me to lean on too, as is all the literature and resources of EA, from online
to telephone meetings. In my part of the world, winter days are short. The lack of sunlight can be a challenge
and the holiday rush is sometimes overwhelming. That's when I know I have to tune in to my HP's will for meand help myself get out of my own way to achieve it. Whatever you celebrate and wherever you are in theworld this season, I wish you serenity and the special gift of the Promises coming true in your life. That's agift money can't buy...Colleen C, Secretary, EA Board of Trustee

www.EmotionsAnonymous.org
Box 4245 St Paul, MN 55104
Phone 651-647-9712
Hours Mon—Thurs: 10 to 3:00 CST

director@emotionsanonymous.org
connection@emotionsanonymous.org
groupdata@emotionsanonymous.org
orders@emotionsanonymous.org
shipping@emotionsanonymous.org

SPECIAL GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
Kiwana M - Lansing MI, Taperra Riddle
In memory of, and with gratitude for their service our trusted servants :Former Trustee: Russell E - Apple Valley Group, MN
Former Trustee: Betsy P - Apple Valley Group, MN
Former Trustee: Joyce R - Thunder Bay, Canada, Anonymous

RECOVERY USING THE TOOLS OF EAStep 12:Eleven months ago I committed tostudying the 12 steps this year--onestep per month.
I'm studying Step 12 now and itstates that "Having had a spiritual
awakening...we tried to carry thismessage and practice these principles..." I reflected on this:"What do I believe my spiritual
awakening to be...?"I think my spiritual awakening can be summed up
this way: Prior to the past coupleyears, I believed and acted in a waythat seemed to say: "My life is in
my control and the purpose of mylife is to further my own success,enjoyment, superiority, righteousness, and everything else having todo with me and all at the expense ofothers....."
Today, I increasingly believe that mylife is not my life--it is God's. I am
simply an instrument in God's planto bring all His children back to him;in His plan for peace and joy to be
returned to everyone. God uses mefor His purposes--not mine; for His
plan--not mine; for His meaning--notmine.
There is only one Higher Power inmy life and that is God. The more I
live according to this belief, themore at peace I will likely feel. The
more I resist, the more I will be lost.
As of today, this is the message I will
try and live and spread…Chris

Slogan 12: I have a choice
I am so thankful that I am beginningto see I do have a choice. For me
those choices are getting out of bed,
doing self care, going to work,

eating healthy, exercising, not engaging in behaviors that cause me
grief and chaos (and that haveshown this in the past very clearly tome). I used to always think it just
had to be this way, I had no choice,it just was going to be that way. Ifelt that about my illness verystrongly. It was something I had andI would not get well. I did not believe wellness was a choice. I felt I
was going to lose my mind, end up
on disability or in a homeless shelter, grow old alone and be crazy andlikely die a young lonely death.
Wow! I have made healthier choices in my life which improved mythinking and overall mental wellness. Thank God! I could have chosen to stay in bed every day andcontinue to spiral downward but I
sucked it up, got up, started reading
and learning and accepting andpraying and working for what I
wanted and slowly these things arecoming to fruition. Thank you HP…
Julie RI have a choice. I can choose to staywhere I am or continue through theprocess of recovery. Working theSteps is not a once and done effort. I
go through them each year after theinitial completion of the 12 Steps.
And I always find more revealed anddiscovered. And while that sounds
great now, it is far from where I wasin the beginning.
Entering recovery, I had a flurry ofemotional ups and downs. As I became aware of emotions that werepreviously stuffed, I found anger,rage, impatience, denial, and arrogance. I was a ticking time bomb inan emotional mine field. Each step I
took was a risk. Through it all, andwith the support of a sponsor, I connected with my Higher Power. Thatconnection has been tested often.
The concept of a Higher Power hasevolved tremendously.

As I began detaching from my emotional prison of fears, anger and resentment, I gripped my Higher
Power's hand more firmly. I had tosacrifice the one (me/selfishness)for the greater good (Higher Power/selflessness). The expense for suchan act of surrender comes at theexpense of pride and ego. This ensures an attitude of gratitude.
As I continue on the path to recovery, I see answers to questions I had
long ago. At the same time, somequestions have no place in my consciousness today. I may not see it, I
may not be aware of it, but growth
is a perpetual event. It occurs
whether I want it or not. But it occurs on my Higher Power's time line,
not mine. No matter, how much I
crave it, no matter how much I have
begged for it, I must be willing towait for it. Because when I do that, I
am assured my Higher Power will
give me the tools to cope with itappropriately….Lynn A

The Twelve Steps
I am grateful to this program andthe twelve steps because to me,
they are much like a "broken record" that I have in my life that brings
me comfort/peace/stability, as it
continues to say the same things
over and over. I can continue to healand grow. I need this beautiful broken record in my life, this constantreminder, this guide, this consistency, this reliability _— for this is what
was missing before, these 12 steps
that remind me that I am neveralone as I have a HP and He walks
with me as do the others in my pro-

DISCOVERING THE TOOLS OF EA
Changing my Attitude
Christmas Attitude 1
I'm beginning to have a better attitude about Christmas. When I return home from my day out, I immediately turn on
my little 10" Christmas tree with its blinking lights. I had hoped the little pine wreath would smell a bit but it doesn't.
I'm thinking of checking to see if there is a pine-smelling air freshener and if so, I'll spray it and pretend it's comingfrom my little wreath.
I had given up Christmas cards but a box of them called out to me the other day when I was justbrowsing, "Buy me, buy me!" What could I do??? I haven't sent any cards yet. I always write something
personal. I do not understand people who send a card with just their name?
I saw a cute display in my neighborhood today with Snoopy wearing a Christmas hat and rowing a boatwith gifts. Very California. I do NOT have to conjure up anything bad about Christmas. I like this newattitude I have. I think I'll keep it, “one day at a time.”

Christmas Attitude 2
The breezeway of my condo complex is now decorated with a small live Christmas tree with sparking-colored lights on
one side and a wreath with white twinkling lights on the door of the condo on the right side. Also, on a table on theright is an artificial tree with one red bulb and Snoopy sitting beneath it. It's festive.
I'm continuing to change my Christmas stance. I know, I know, there's a lot of commercialism around
Christmastime, but that doesn't mean that I need to focus on that aspect of Christmas. I shall think of it
as a time of love and joy and generosity of spirit.

Christmas Attitude
I'm really amazed by my new Christmas attitude. I'm no longer upset by all the Christmas ads. Instead, I'm gratefulthat there are so many things that I do NOT want or need.
I rather like that folks seem to be wearing a lot of red things. I like the color "red" and I think it makespeople feel spunkier. I even am amused when I see people wearing Christmas hats.
And I'm happy when I see Christmas trees being transported on the top of cars--- as I no longer have todo that---and I have a lovely little 10" Christmas tree that doesn't even need water.
I guess the lesson I've learned is that it's never too late to change one's attitude.

Christmas Attitude
I'm no longer going to say that I'm NOT a Christmas Person. It does seem such a negative identification. I'm
thoroughly through with NEGATIVITY. Sure, I've chosen it a lot in the past, but now I'm DONE.
I enjoy looking at variations of the baby in the manger. So innocent.
I like the idea of PEACE, HOPE, and LOVE, and "God bless us, everyone." I like it a lot. I've chosen, ever sorecently, to be a Christmas Person. But that still doesn't mean I'm going shopping.

Christmas Attitude 5
It is the Christmas season and I am HAPPY. I realize that my experiences in life have been so influenced bymy ATTITUDE and EXPECTATIONS. I have always had this genetic problem with depression, but by working the stepsof EA— (over and over!) I have learned how to have fun and how to avoid getting bogged down trying to deal withthings I cannot change.
It's pretty astonishing to me that here I am, 86 years old, having had all kinds of experiences, somereally really BAD, and yet I can look back with a lot of compassion and little regret. I've SURVIVED it all
and am living with calmness and thankfully a wee sense of humor about it all. Love to all and themerriest of Christmases...CarolThank you Carol for teaching us all that we can change, no matter our age, and that Attitude andExpectations play a large part in our ability to make those changes...Karen M, Editor

2019 - 2020 EA Board of Trustees
Please feel free to contact members of the Board with questions or concerns
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting can be viewed here.

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
Derita P, OH 216-624-3559 deritapippen@gmail.com Treasurer
Paul N, NJ 201-264-1807 paul@nobleequity.com Trustee
Steve B, CA 909-438-4938 stevebell_28@yahoo.com Trustee

THE TWELVE TRADITIONS
The 12 Traditions are the guidelines by which our group and our fellowship function.
They have proven over the years to be an effective way of holding the fellowship and individual groups together.
Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions,ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Tradition 12 reminds us that anonymity is EA’s spiritual foundation. Anonymity and confidentiality are among thegreatest gifts of our fellowship, essential for fostering trust and openness at meetings. But what if someone’s sharing
conveys a credible threat of harm to themselves or others? Must a member keep silent when faced with the possibilityof harm to another? Under such circumstances we must remember that our Traditions are guiding principles not rigid
dogma, and whether or not to report a threat to appropriate authorities is a personal one for each individual EA member and his/her Higher Power...Steven B
The principles of the program are far more important than the people who carry the message. It is not important whowe are, but rather, what we are. We are Emotions Anonymous, and we offer people the chance to recover from theiremotional problems. Our message of recovery is what we can offer to the newcomer. We are all just members of theprogram. We practice a genuine humility by remembering we are one among many, no better and no worse than others; and by placing the principles of the program ahead of the personalities in the fellowship. We do not publish thenames of speakers. We are all just examples that this program can work, does work, and will work for anyone whoworks it...Derita P
Sometimes using the word anonymous might make some of us feel that we have a reason to be anonymous, something to hide. This is not at all the spirit of tradition 12 as I understand it. EA fellows come into meetings week afterweek to grow through sharing. Sometimes the stories and feelings we share come from a vulnerable place within us.
Anonymity is essential as the foundation of emotional safety in meetings and in fellowship so that we can continue togrow through the program...Paul N
The idea of placing principles before personalities can be challenging. The program teaches me that I must apply thesteps, traditions and concepts in every area of my life, from the workplace to the family room. When I become rushed
and impatient, particularly around this sometimes-stressful holiday season, it’s easy for me to “overrule” my HP.
That’s when I let my personality and personal wishes take over. My prayer for this holiday season is the serenity prayer. Turning things over is a great way to put principles first...Colleen CCoping with the Holidays
I appreciate having a place to share honestly about how difficult holidays can be. I appreciate that I
can admit that I don't like all the noise, the gatherings, the extra food, and spending. I know that I
need people, and that I actually like people, but I just know that if I spend too much time with people, no matter how much I like them, I get worn out. I've learned in EA that it's ok if that's my truth.
I do my best to honor those boundaries I have for myself, even though I can't always do it perfectly.
I guess it's a balancing act, because I know that I need to be around people at times, but I know attimes, I need to have solitude. Grateful for EAnon (the Loop) and for EA…Gail