January, 2021
Volume 1, Issue 9

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

Finding Ways to be of Service — derita p.
Happy New Year! 2021! The turn of a new year. Now is a goodtime to do something different, something more. It's a good time tobuff up my program; a time to evaluate my recovery. Is it as goodas it can be? Do I feel peace and serenity? Can I do more; help one
more person; put myself in a place to do more service?
Service is one of the keys to my success in the program. The more I
serve, the stronger my program. When my helpfulness to others decreases so does my serenity, peace, and thus recovery.
During this pandemic we are all doing things a little differently, but
the basis of what we need to do for our recovery remains the same.
Personally, I still need to go to a lot of meetings. Instead of face-toface meetings, I'm doing mostly Zoom and telephone meetings. I
still need to do service for EA.—and there are plenty of ways to dothis. Instead of helping with physical duties at my face-to-facemeetings, such as setting out literature or being a greeter, I can, firstof all, get a virtual homegroup. Then I can volunteer at it; maybe I
could offer to moderate the meeting or I could sign on early to see
if any newcomers are there, welcome them ,and answer any questions they have before the meeting starts. Perhaps I could contributemoney if I have it. When I think about making a donation, I thinkof what else I would have spent the money on and ask myself, “Isthat (whatever that is) more important than my recovery?” In fact,some of the things I would spend money on are not even conducive
to my recovery.
We can, and need, to be creative right now in all sorts of ways. Just
being there for each other is the greatest form of service. I know
many people have been there for me over the years. Why would I
not be there for others? And the wonderful part of serving is that italways, always makes me feel better, though I don't believe it willat first. I will charge myself to do more. Please join me as we leave2020 behind and welcome in the new year.

Quick Tip of theMonthFind a way to recognize
when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired thatworks for you—perhaps bymonitoring your reactions
more closely for the nextweek. When you find yourself slipping into a pattern,
try to HALT and take careof what you need.

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
216-624-3559deritapippen@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

January’s Tools
For Recovery
Step 1
We admitted we were powerless over our emotions that our lives had become
unmanageable.
Promise 1
We realize a new freedom
and happiness.
Just for Today 1
I will try to live through thisday only, not tackling all of
my problems at once. I cando something at this momentthat would discourage me if
I had to continue it for a lifetime.
Slogan 1
Let go and let God
Helpful Concept 1
We come to EA to learn how
to live a new way of life
through the 12-step programof Emotions Anonymous
which consists of 12 Steps,
12 Traditions, concepts, theSerenity Prayer, slogans,
Just for Todays, EA literature, weekly meetings, telephone and personal contacts,
and living the program one
day at a time. We do notcome for another person we come to help ourselves
and to share our experiences,
strength, and hope with others.

Uncertainty is Exhausting— Kelly M.
We are many months into
this pandemic and the lackof control I have over somany things is exhausting. I find managing myown uncertainty is tiring. Itis particularly unmanageable when I try to manageother people's uncertainty. We are now in uncertain times, there is no controlling it and there are nocertain answers except tohave faith that this will
pass, not sure when, notsure how. I know this andit brings me great comfort.
My routines bring me closer to my HP too. I was
sorting out my recycling
this morning and thinking

about something I neededto do. It made me think
about how my faith wasgetting me through thisdifficult time and how alack of faith / and panic at
work was leading to rash
decision making.
I then laughed and reminded myself that I do this too- when my HP is not nearme, panic sets in easily andI can resort to old ways.
This reminded me that I do
better when I respond to
the RFT's in the morning—
it is a ritual that helps remind me of the best pathfor me, a path where I am
never alone. I am grateful
we walk this path together.

Scholarship, Prisoner and Hardship Funds
need additional support.
In the past two years we set up funds to assist in defraying
start-up costs for new groups, to send materials to prisoners, and to make EA materials available to individuals who
could not afford to purchase them. Member support forthese funds was generous but demand has been high. Thesefunds are now depleted. Would you consider making a designated contribution for this effort? Please make a giftonline (https://emotionsanonymous.org/donate/donatepage.html) or send a check with a note on which fund you
wish to support. Thank you!

Tradition 1
Our common welfare shouldcome first; personal recovery depends on EA unity.

You can find the Trustee Reflections on the website,www.emotionsanonymous.org.
This month we focus on Step 1.
Page 2

Contribution Gratitude

New Skills, New Life — ML

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

When I relax and work with my brain instead of hostile
feelings, the pieces seem to go together of their own volition,
just like the parts of my life. I'm often reminded that byaccepting EA as my "new way of life" I have things to do. I
need to hand over to my HP those things I'm struggling with,and do so no matter how much my pride and ego try to tellme I CAN FIX IT by myself, ESPECIALLY when pieces ofmy life don't fit. This allows me to relax and carry on throughmy day. If I'm feeling stuck it's because I'm standing on
the brakes, so to speak.

Midwest City, OK
Boulder, CO
Summerside, PE CanadaUkiah, CA
Ljubljana, Slovenijia(Slovenia EA Group)
New Douglas, ILBend, OR

Gratitude Gift:
Anonymous, Oakland EA Group

Some things I hand over simply dissolve instantly. HP helps
me replace my attitude or thought right then and there.
Usually a saying, a Just for Today, a step or something I
read pops into my head and it's my mini “aha” moment.
Some events (people, places, things) are defect enticing...my"old" defective reaction might be to get ornery first, ask
questions later. Or withdraw. Or strike back. Or run away.
My new way of life gives me 1) an HP to talk to first 2) new
tools and skills 3) an awareness of assets I can use instead.
Sometimes the issue might be an "unsolved situation", requiring
my best efforts at handing it over. Acting "as if" it's okay…
and realizing I'm doing the best I can to let HP handle it in time.

Administrative NewsThe fall months have been busy atEAI! During the 2020 board workshop, the trustees approved a new
strategic plan for the coming year that
focuses on five goals:
Grow the number of groups

Increase awareness of EAIIncrease service by membersIncrease health of existing groups

Improve organizational finances

These goals will act as our guide in
deciding what activities/efforts wewill focus on during the coming year.
The common denominator is growth.
And all of this must happen without
adding staff time. It’s a big job. You,
our members, can help by responding
to requests for engagement and by
making sure the groups you are part ofstay ‘true’ to the program. Thank you
for helping grow EAI!

Relationships can be the trickiest. I may have spent a lifetime
responding one way, when I now need to learn to responddifferently in order to get different results. Unless I am in mortal
danger I can live— and be at peace with—an unsolved problem.
I also need to see where I cut my own self worth, confidence,
enjoyment of life to pieces. If I have self loathing or self hate,
if I have mercilessly high standards, expectations and drive
myself - these need work with HP to heal. These are oldwounds carried forward.
I have to pray for defects to be removed and replaced. For thepeople, places, and situations I struggle with most. I have toput them in my HP’s care. Other people’s lives are NOTMINE to order, dictate or fix.
I am only responsible for myself and how I treat myself andothers. To bring out my true self is my responsibility, and to
do it I need my Higher Power and this program. It isn't about
pretending to be perfect, it's about being honest. It's not about
the lofty "best" or 'stoic" - it's about the true human that is me.
I can step back, take it to my HP, hand it over, and do the next"best first thing."
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

Page 3

2021: Celebrating EAI’s 50th year
A Year To ShareEA is valuable to so many people inso many different ways. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our
beloved program, we are requestingnotes of how the program has helped
you or what you’ve gained from it topublish on this page in future publications. You could include what youvalue most in the program, how you
want to see EA evolve in the next 50years, or simple words of gratitude.
Please email submissions to:
submissions@emotionsanonymous.org

EAI By the Numbers
1971 The year of EAI’s Founding!
1978 The year that the big blue
book was introduced...thesame one we still use today
2019 The year welcoming The
Spiritual Awakening In Me
workbook was published
4Total number of employees
at EAI’s central office who
do everything—managing
the website, fielding
calls, fulfilling literatureorders and updating pro
gram literature

100+ Number of items available
on the EA website, including
more than 40 pamphlets cov
ering a range of emotions
and relevant life circu
stances!

Trustee Share — Paul N.
I have only been attending Emotions Anonymous meetings for
two and a half years, but in that time, I have experienced how
the longevity of EA has been crucially important for the programs members. On multiple occasions, people have comethrough the doors of my relatively new group who had been apart of EA years or even decades earlier in search of the same
serenity they once experienced by working the program. That’s
one of many great aspects of the program: It is always there
when we need it.
Sometimes a life event will make past members want to dial up
or visit a meeting. Divorce, death, relationships, work or family,
just to name a few. New things enter our lives regularly. Knowing that EA is there when times get tough, utilizing the same
reliable literature for almost 50 years is a gift. Being able to joinwith people in a structured way that allows for sharing, learningand reflection can be powerful for healing and growth.
Like most things in life, the program would not be possible
without holistic support from its members. On the 50th Anniversary of the program, it is worth thinking about how we cangive back to a program that has given so much to us. One way isthrough sharing your thoughts/experiences with the program.
There are many different types of thoughts to share as you cansee on www.emotionsanonymous.org under the Literature tabof the website menu under “Write For EA.” Spreading the word
about the program in your community, through emailing orsending flyers to appropriate healthcare professionals(therapists, mental health facilities, etc.) can be of great service
as well. Recurring, sustaining contributions are important to
EAI so we are able to serve people throughout the world whoare looking to improve their emotional wellness as well. Without donations, the office has no way to do all the great things
that they do to make sure that the program is available to people
looking for hope and serenity.
During the next fifty years, I hope that the program is able toreach an ever-growing number of members in the U.S. andaround the world. I truly believe that EA is a program that mostpeople can use at some point in their lives. The tools of the program might look and sound basic at first glance, but working
through steps and growing in the program is a commitment thatis worth the time and effort required. Fulfilling the twelfth step
commitment to carrying the message forward has been an important piece of the program. I hope that together, we will find
fun and rewarding ways of experiencing this great program’s
fiftieth anniversary.