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Emotions Anonymous

Updated on September 11, 2011

EA Bear

We admitted we were powerless over our emotions - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Emotions Anonymous (EA) is a Twelve Step Program, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), for those seeking emotional health. Just as the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire for sobriety; the only requirement for membership in EA is a desire to become well emotionally and to cope better with the stresses of daily living. EA uses the same Twelve Steps as AA with one variation in the wording of the first step; “We admitted we were powerless over our emotions,” rather than over alcohol. Just as in AA, there are meetings, sponsors, a Big Book, slogans, steps, traditions, promises, Helpful Concepts, the Serenity Prayer, EA literature, and “Just For Today” meditations. The biggest difference between EA and AA is that there are far fewer EA meetings available. However, there are phone in meetings and online meetings.

The purpose of EA is to help anyone with any emotional problem get their emotions back under control, so they can make healthy choices in life. The goal is to provide a warm and caring atmosphere where people can feel free to share their concerns, and to hear from others who have had similar struggles make progress toward getting better. Members suffer from and recover from a number of problems to include: depression, anger, relationships, grief, anxiety, low self esteem, panic, abnormal fears, resentment, jealousy, guilt, despair, fatigue, tension, boredom, loneliness, withdrawal, obsessive and negative thinking, worry, compulsive behavior, suicidal thoughts and feelings, love and intimacy, indecision, perfectionism, forgiveness, grief, shame, stress, guilt, failure, shyness, family problems, frustrations, finances, trauma, feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, and a variety of other emotional issues.

Often negative thoughts about stressors and emotions can worsen the situation or intensify the emotions. Negative self talk or beliefs about self and others can prevent a person from getting better, can worsen symptoms that are already debilitating, and can make a bad situation worse. Using the recovery tools of EA such as slogans and meditations, can help a person develop more effective coping mechanisms that can decrease negative thoughts and feelings and improve problem-solving and decision-making. EA is not a substitute for therapy or medications, but can be used to enhance the effects of therapy and medication. EA is not affiliated with religious organizations, but is a spiritual program that uses the “Higher Power” concept to refer to any power larger than oneself that can be used to provide “Good Orderly Direction.”

SLOGANS

Let go and let God.

You are not alone.

One day at a time.

Live and let live.

First things first.

Look for the good.

By the grace of God.

Know yourself – be honest.

This too shall pass.

I need people.

Keep it simple.

I have a choice.

JUST FOR TODAY

The Choice is Mine

  1. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackling all of my problems at once. I can do something at this moment that would discourage me if I had to continue it for a lifetime.
  2. Just for today I will try to be happy, realizing my happiness does not depend on what others do or say or what happens around me. Happiness is a result of being at peace with myself.
  3. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not force everything to adjust to my own desires. I will accept my family, my friends, my business, and my circumstances as they come.
  4. Just for today I will take care of my physical health; I will exercise my mind; I will read something spiritual.
  5. Just for today I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anyone knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least one thing I don’t want to do, and I will perform some small act of love for my neighbor.
  6. Just for today I will try to go out of my way to be kind to someone I meet. I will be considerate, talk low, and look as good as I can. I will not engage in unnecessary criticism or finding fault, nor try to improve or regulate anybody except for myself.
  7. Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests – hurry and indecision.
  8. Just for today I will stop saying, “if I had time.” I never will find time for anything. If I want time, I must take it.
  9. Just for today I will have a quiet time of meditation wherein I shall think of my Higher Power, of myself, and of my neighbor. I shall relax and seek truth.
  10. Just for today I shall be unafraid. Particularly, I shall be unafraid to be happy, to enjoy what is good, what is beautiful and what is lovely in life.
  11. Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I will accept myself and live to the best of my ability.
  12. Just for today I choose to believe that I can live this one day.

Below are links to the Emotions Anonymous website and some recovery stories from the EA Big Book. The EA link can be used to access a meeting locator, information about how to contact EA, information about upcoming conferences, and an online store where products, books and publications can be ordered.


Understanding and Coping with Emotions

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