HERITAGE DAY THOUGHTS

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Kenneth Weaver
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July 2017 / Quarterly Al-Anon Information Service Office ~ 9417 Brookline ~ Baton Rouge LA 70809 ~ (225)924-0029 Office Hours M-F 9 a.m. til 3 p.m. (call ahead to verify daily volunteer staffing) WWW.

1 July 2017 / Quarterly Al-Anon Information Service Office ~ 9417 Brookline ~ Baton Rouge LA ~ (225) Office Hours M-F 9 a.m. til 3 p.m. (call ahead to verify daily volunteer staffing) BLESSING Recently, I thought I have been struggling with acceptance because of a loved one s addiction and denial. My program has taught me that it is not up to me to classify someone as an addict, or alcoholic, or codependent since I know that I can only honestly speak about my own experience. But I have found myself deeply affected by fear and pain because I do not feel accepted or loved by this person. I found myself trying to explain my loved one s behavior to myself by assigning labels to this person s actions or creating stories around why they can not give me what I want. I would tell myself, this person is not spiritually fit enough to be open and loving. At other times, I would think why doesn t this person love me enough to do this for me? Am I not good enough?. Sometimes I would just call my loved one an addict and detach with resentment and anger. In the end, I realized I was right I was struggling with acceptance. Only, I was struggling with accepting my loved one rather than judging. I was also struggling with accepting myself and trusting in my Higher Power. I know this because my entire focus was on the acceptance I did not feel I was receiving from my loved one. I worried about this person and their behaviors rather than keeping the focus on me and my behavior and my needs. It is none of my business what my loved one does or why unless it violates my boundaries; and having my boundaries violated is not the same as having my fears triggered. And that is all that is happening my fears are being triggered. I am afraid that if I do not feel acceptance from this loved one, I will suffer and be abandoned. I remember thinking, even up to this morning, Why did I invite this person into my life? Why couldn t I have left well enough alone? But this is why. It is because my Higher Power wants me to love myself and know that my Higher Power loves me unconditionally even when other people do not. What a blessing it is that I have the opportunity to learn how to love myself and accept the love of my Higher Power no matter what! So, today, I took a pen, and wrote a message to myself that reminds me that I am loved by my Higher Power. And I know I will feel the fear that I am not good enough for the people in my life to love me. But then I will look at my wrist and realize the more important thing that I am, have always been, and will always be good enough for my Higher Power to love and accept every part of me. -A grateful member Subscribe to the quarterly Caterpillar online by entering your address in the sign up box on the Caterpillar page at batonrougealanon.org and hitting submit. HERITAGE DAY THOUGHTS I felt so much at home today as I attended Heritage Day and heard Bob M. tell his story. I really enjoyed seeing many members that I do not ordinarily see during the year. Every year it is a time of anticipation looking forward to being at home with those I love and who helped me become the person I am today. The faces are just so beautiful to me. My heart goes out to you. Theresa B.

2 Changing the Things I Can A few years ago, we bought a house with a detached garage. We soon discovered that it took in water during a heavy rain. We traced one of the issues to a servitude drainage ditch behind the house that was blocked with debris. I called the city maintenance and wrote letters to my neighbors asking them not to use the ditch for refuse. But we continued to have water in the garage. A few weeks ago, we had over two inches of water after a hard rain. My husband and I, once again were debating the options, some of the same things we had already tried to no avail. I finally said, I ll hire someone and pay them myself to clear the servitude. Within three days, we had a huge pile of building materials, branches, tubing and two Christmas trees moved to the roadside. Then the city picked it up from there. My husband and I removed five bags of leaves that had completely clogged the main drain at the end of the ditch. And we found two other drains that were blocked by broken concrete. What a great recovery lesson! Expecting other people to fix the problem was frustrating and fruitless. After the last rain with no flooding, we decided that maintaining the servitude ourselves is a small price to pay for a dry garage. We handed out letters to our neighbors detailing our efforts and asking for cooperation. But we are no longer rehashing resentment for their inaction. Taking care of ourselves took some effort, but wishing, wanting and waiting for someone else to do it didn t work! Changing the things I can brought us satisfaction, peace of mind, and a dry garage. Terry C. Growing Pains Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Prairieville AFG St. John s Catholic Church Hwy 73 Prairieville, LA Help this meeting grow. Bring a friend!! What Newcomers Mean to Me Working the steps of Al-Anon has provided me with a tremendous amount of recovery from the effects of Alcoholism in a short period of time, relatively speaking. Sometimes, it s even hard for me to remember back to when I first came into the program. However, just a week ago, a newcomer came into my home group meeting. She was filled with so much pain and fear. You could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. She shared briefly at her first meeting which took a great amount of courage and I am in awe of that. Something I do remember is not having much courage when I came into Al-Anon. No hope led to little courage. I felt at the time that my life and my marriage would never get better. For whatever reason, newcomers don t usually share at their first meeting. But this woman sharing her story really gave me a tremendous amount of gratitude and time to reflect upon how far I ve come. Newcomers are great.what sends them to Al-Anon is not.but it gives people like me a chance to give back. I also like the chance to remember every now and then how far I ve come. If I forget where I came from, it may be only a short period of time before I return there. I don t ever want to go back there! I think Al-Anon is hard to explain. Al-Anon is whatever you need it to be, at wherever you are in the effects of alcoholism. Trying to explain to a newcomer that I have been right where he or she is and know exactly what they are going through is a hard sell. This person has been so isolated and miserable because of their own situation. Also. I don t have that look anymore. My life is peaceful, joyful and free... most of the time. And I think I would rather communicate to the newcomer what they do for me and how much they help me when they keep coming back! Caterpillar Archives January 2002 Stacey C.

Upcoming Events August 8 August AIS Meeting August 19-20, 2017 Area Assembly in Lafayette, LA Ramada Inn 2032 SW Evangeline Thruway Lafayette, LA 70501 For accomodations call: (337) 233-6815

3 Upcoming Events August 8 August AIS Meeting August 19-20, 2017 Area Assembly in Lafayette, LA Ramada Inn 2032 SW Evangeline Thruway Lafayette, LA For accomodations call: (337) September 12 September AIS Meeting October 10 AIS Multi-District Quarterly Meeting GR s or Alternate GR s and Coordinators attend THANKS FOR SHARING! Thanks to everyone who submitted sharings. Keep them coming! Please consider sharing your experience, strength, and hope with other Al-Anon members by submitting a sharing to be included in an upcoming Caterpillar. Your words and experiences are so important. Sharing your experiences as a result of the Al-Anon program is an important healing factor in recovery, not only for the reader, but for the writer as well. To submit your sharing, click the Submit A Sharing link on the Caterpillar web page or it to caterpillar. online@yahoo.com. You can also mail it to AIS, Attn: Caterpillar Editor, 9417 Brookline, Baton Rouge LA November 14 November AIS Meeting November 18-19, 2017 Area Assembly in Lafayette, LA Ramada Inn 2032 SW Evangeline Thruway Lafayette, LA For accomodations call: (337) Does your group have a Group Representative? If not, why not? The Group Representative (GR) is a vital link in the continuing function, growth, and unity of Al-Anon. Represent your group at the local Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) meetings and State Area Assembly. To find out more about becoming a GR go to: batonrougealanon.org/gr-info.html ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVICE? The Baton Rouge AIS needs a Chair-Elect for the upcoming year. If you are interested serving in this position, please caterpillar.online@yahoo.com for more information.

SERVICE WORK IS FOR ALL OF US When most people hear service work, they think of volunteering 10-15 hours a week, but the wonderful thing about Al-Anon is that it doesn t even have to be two hours a

4 SERVICE WORK IS FOR ALL OF US When most people hear service work, they think of volunteering hours a week, but the wonderful thing about Al-Anon is that it doesn t even have to be two hours a week. You can simply chair a meeting, set up chairs, display literature or take care of the money for a week if the treasurer has to miss a meeting. I ll never forget my first venture into service work -- chairing a meeting. I was so nervous I almost said the Lord s prayer when I should have said the Serenity Prayer, and I almost said the Serenity Prayer when I should have said the Lord s Prayer. In subsequent meetings that I have chaired, I have forgotten to have everyone introduce themselves, and I have forgotten to ask if there were any newcomers. But the oldtimers gently guided me through each time. That s one of the gazillion things I love about Al- Anon. You can help carry this message to others if you ve been coming to Al-Anon for 1000 weeks or one week. I m still not sure I understand how service work works. When my sponsor puts up her money once a week to eat lunch with me only to have to help me through a rough spot, she tells me it helps her. When I wonder why so many old timers continue to come to meetings and continue to do all the little things that keep a meeting going, even though they no longer have an alcoholic in their life, they tell me they need to do that. Compared to the old-timers, I am practically a newcomer, but I have learned two things in my short time here -- I want what they ve got and it really must be more blessed to give than to receive. Karen V. Caterpillar Archives - January 1995 Check out the new Members Page on the Baton Rouge Al-Anon website. It provides quick access to a lot of great information. THE MANY FORMS OF SPIRITUAL AWAKENINGS My journey through the Twelve Steps has greatly deepened my faith in my higher power, whom I choose to call God. I believe it is because of my strengthened relationship with God that I have become better aware of the spiritual awakenings that occur in my life. These spiritual awakenings present themselves to me in different forms. Sometimes, when I am struggling with a problem, I ll pray about it and the answer will clearly come to mind. When that happens, I know it is God s words I have heard. Another type of spiritual awakening comes in the form of the joy I experience when I watch hummingbirds feed and dart about my backyard deck. I know that the deep sense of peace and serenity I feel is God-given. Even in dark moments when my spirits are low, something will all of a sudden happen to cheer me up or remind that things are not as bad as they seem and I know that God has held my hand. Then there are the times, when I least suspect it, I will read something that speaks directly to my heart at a precise moment of need. My latest spiritual awakening occurred when I read the sharing on page two of this newsletter. Once again, through God s guidance I learned something I could not understand on my own. Caterpillar Archives - October 2000 Robin J.

MEETING SCHEDULE Al-Anon / Alateen Meeting Schedule for Baton Rouge and Surrounding Areas July September 2017 ALATEEN MEETINGS MONDAY GROUP TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ZACHARY ALATEEN 3:00 PM 4205 Church

5 MEETING SCHEDULE Al-Anon / Alateen Meeting Schedule for Baton Rouge and Surrounding Areas July September 2017 ALATEEN MEETINGS MONDAY GROUP TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ZACHARY ALATEEN 3:00 PM 4205 Church St, Zachary, LA (Hwy 64) Dist. 16 AL-ANON MEETINGS SUNDAY WOODALE SUNDAY STEP AFG 6:00 PM Club 12 (No Smoking) 1695 Beaumont Drive Dist. 14 RIVER ROAD AL-ANON Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Rectory, side entrance) Gramercy, LA Dist. 9 LISTEN & LEARN 9417 Brookline MONDAY MONDAY DISCUSSION 12:00PM STEPS TO SERENITY Club 12 (Front Room) 1695 Beaumont Drive (Book Study) Dist. 14 ZACHARY AL-ANON, TOO 4205 Church St, Zachary, LA (Hwy 64) Dist. 16 TRIANGLE AL-ANON Broadmoor Methodist Church Mollylea (Bldg. nearest to traffic light.) Dist. 4 T.G.I.M 7:30 PM Step & Tradition Study St. George School Library (Behind the Gym) 7880 Siegen Lane Dist. 9 Hispanic Meeting (Monday) SOLO POR HOY TUESDAY CAME TO BELIEVE University Presbyterian Church 3240 Dalrymple Drive (No Smoking) Dist.13 STRENGTH AND COURAGE AIS Office Step Meeting TUESDAY (Con t) NEW ROADS 6:00 PM MEETS THE 2ND & 4TH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH ONLY Pointe Coupee Library 201 Claiborne Ave. New Roads, LA Dist. 16 GONZALES AFG 6:30 PM 1125 W. LA Hwy 30 St. Elizabeth s Hospital Gonzales, LA Dist. 9 WE SURRENDER AFG 6:30 PM Luke 10:27 Church 536 Centerville St. Denham Springs, LA Dist. 4 ST. FRANCISVILLE GROUP 7:30 PM St. Francisville Methodist Church 9356 Royal Street St. Francisville, LA Dist. 16 COURAGE TO CHANGE 7:30 PM Open Meeting Lutheran Church of Our Savior 3555 Jones Creek Rd Dist 4 WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY NOON AFG OLD PERKINS ROAD GROUP 6:00 PM New Song Church-Main Bldg Old Perkins Rd. Prairieville, LA Dist. 9 STEPPING STONES (Step Mtg.) Magnolia Methodist Church (No smoking) Greenwell Springs Road Dist 16 MOLLYSHARP DISCUSSION 8:00 PM Broadmoor Methodist Church Mollylea ( Bldg. nearest to traffic light.) Dist. 4 THURSDAY DOWNTOWN-NOON AFG (Al-Anon Adult Children) St. Joseph s Cathedral 4112 North Street-New Parish Hall Meeting Room -2 Dist. 14 FAITH & HOPE AIS Office (Al-Anon Adult Children) 9417 Brookline (No Smoking) Dist. 14 FRIDAY POWERLESS Alternate Step / Tradition Meeting 9417 Brookline Dist. 14 SATURDAY JUST FOR TODAY 9:00 AM University Methodist Church Trice Building, Upstairs 3350 Dalrymple Dr. Dist. 13 MORNING GLORY 9:00 AM SATURDAY NEWCOMERS 2:00 PM Club Beaumont Drive Front Building Dist. 14 I AM IMPORTANT 2:00 PM ADULT CHILD AFG St. Patrick s Catholic Church (Family Ctr.) Brogdon Lane Baton Rouge, La. Dist.4 PRAIRIEVILLE AFG 6:30 PM St. John s Catholic Church Hwy 73, Prairieville Dist. 9 AA also meets Al-Anon/Alateen (24 Hour Phone) AA PHONE Websites Baton Rouge Al-Anon: Louisiana Al-Anon: Al-Anon World Service: Brookline GONZALES AFG, TOO 6:30 PM Stepping Stones 1027 N. Burnside Ave. Gonzales, LA Dist. 9 Baton t. 9 Rouge Al-Anon Information BAYOU AL-ANON Services First United Methodist Church Church St Brookline, BR, La Plaquemine, LA Dist. 13 ZACHARY AL-ANON 4205 Church St. (Hwy. 64) Zachary, LA Dist. 16

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Receive the quarterly Caterpillar by . Subscribe by entering your address in the box at the end of this newsletter and hitting submit. July 2016 / Quarterly THE CATERPILLAR Al-Anon Information Service Office ~ 9417 Brookline ~ Baton Rouge LA 70809 ~ (225)924-0029 Office Hours M-F 9 a.m. til 3 p.m. (call ahead to verify daily volunteer