Incarcerated again on New Years Eve, continued...

Click the below link to my Examiner article, Mike's interview, for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

This was a tough interview for me, it is hard to imagine finding a healthy side to alcoholism. It has been part of my environment as a child and into my adult life. Both my father and my ex-husband fought these demons. I lived the devastation of it, watched the denial and felt its pain. It was a demon I wasn't able to conquer for them and, Mike A. is right, you have to have the desire to get help and no one can do this for you. It is hard to cope under such unhealthy conditions but I survived and I learned that I could control the impact it had on me and on my children. I prayed a lot and, in time, we rose out of the circumstantial ashes!

Blessings of trials and tribulations, continued

Click the below link to my Examiner article, Sheri's interview, for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

Sheri is my cousin (I still claim my ex-husband's family). They are wonderful, all of them! Sheri has, probably, the most courage of anyone I know. If you met her in public, you would have no idea the sadness she has endured. She is a very charismatic person and a wonderful mother! I can't even begin to imagine, nor do I hope I ever have to imagine her agony. I will always look to her for strength when I'm fearful of something in my life. Her testimony truly inspires me! Who inspires you to push forward?

Heavenly memories of loved ones from Christmas past

Click the below link to my Examiner article for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

This is our 2nd Christmas without my Dad and it still feels pretty bad. I did go through the motions as I discussed in my last post but my spirit wasn't quite on board with my body and mind. I'm sure as the holidays come and go I will feel happy again but I guess I'm not quite there yet. I did have joyous moments which I'll hang onto as I'm sure these moments will grow and eventually I'll be back to the happiness I once felt. I know it will be packaged differently but I'm sure I'll recognize it and embrace it when it arrives! Are you looking to the future or are you imprisoned by your past? Cherish past memories while navigating forward to make new ones; Merry Christmas!

How to Overcome the Winter Blues

The below article was written for my healthy living column years ago and it was eventually was taken down when the Examiner shut down. Since then, I have updated the article for my blog and I'm posting it today, February 6th, 2022. I hope it resonates with you and gifts inspiration and hope. 

Winter’s dark and cold weather can be tough to cope with at times. The scaled-down hours of sunlight can cause feelings of lethargy and press against thoughts of productivity. The discomfort from cold weather outside and the emotional distress we carry can create barricades, leaving us confined inside and feeling isolated. These winter blues encompass feelings of frustration, disappointment, lack of motivation, sadness, and guilt or shame; all of which take away from the routine of healthy habits. 

What can be done to offset such feelings? Not everyone can fly somewhere warm for a few months to escape and for those of us who can't, it is essential to focus on and find silver linings. What about the breathtaking glistening scenes outside your window? Have you stopped to appreciate the view? Maybe it is time to awaken your inner child, embrace the season instead of avoiding it and bundle up to build a snowman, have a snowball fight or enjoy a sled ride or brisk walk and embrace feeling the vibrant air. What about a drive through the snowy landscape? If you are anxious about the driving conditions, try to schedule outings around the weather, carpool, or schedule a Lift to step out of your bubble and help counter any driving anxieties.  

What about incorporating the weather into a new exercise routine? Perhaps, you can try to cross country ski or if you're not able to embrace your adventurous spirit, spend some time shoveling snow to help offset and balance your diet. I shoveled the driveway today and it was a good cardio activity. Turn your time of solitude into time for healthy self-indulgence; take warm baths, give yourself a facial, pedicure, or cozy up to a romantic fire with a chai tea or hot chocolate along with the company of a good book.

Be creative and keep your mind active; meditate, read, listen to music or find a comedy to uplift your spirit. Catch up on your sleep because it is critical to your mental and physical health. According to the Ezine article, How Long Should We Sleep, adults should be sleeping 6 to 9 hours per night; use this time to shut down and rejuvenate. The bears understand winter and hibernate for self-nurture, what amazing creatures; they know how to be healthy during the winter months!

As a mental health therapist, I realize the importance of being conscientious of our feelings and also the need to be receptive to change unhealthy patterns that can easily become active without us realizing it. We have to push through feelings to implement the changes necessary to overcome the winter blues; this might mean pushing yourself to pick one task a day that you can do differently than you did the day before like choosing to get up and shower if you didn't yesterday. If you have been open to change but your attempts to counter the negative feelings continue to be unsuccessful, contact your doctor to make sure you are not suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If so, this can be controlled through medicine and therapy. There are many online sources you can visit like the MayoClinic to find more information about SAD and learn helpful ideas about how to counter its effect. 

It just takes a subtle shift to change an unhealthy habit into a healthier trend. I believe that you can motivate yourself to implement healthier change. So, with the close of this article, take a deep breath and make a commitment to yourself by picking what task you will do differently starting now to create healthy movement forward; take it one baby step at a time, my friend.

As I'm signing off, I'm sending you light and love. Know that you are in my heart and that we can get healthier together, one second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year at a time! I have faith in the both of us💞

Warmly,

Kathy

Book Press Release; What Can I Say When Words Escape Me Michigan Free Press Release / News - Michigan PR

Book Press Release; What Can I Say When Words Escape Me Michigan Free Press Release / News - Michigan PR

Building better communities, continued

Click the below link to my Examiner article, Claudia's interview, for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

I met Claudia in 2008 when I replied to her add looking for artwork for her gallery in Brighton. I knew from our 1st meeting we would be connected in someway for many years. She is a warm person who is really trying to make the world a better place. If you are looking for a church or even a virtual forum, be sure to check out Wisdom Circle Ministries, I know you will embrace her virtual home!

Holidays rekindle relationships, continued...

Click the below link to my Examiner article for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

I feel so blessed with such good people in my life. I still see friends from school and from everywhere I have worked. It seems like I'm finding more and more sincere people around me as I move through my life. Although, at the end of each year I end up feeling bad thinking about how little time I spend with my older friends. I'm going to make a better effort to touch base more. The older I get the more I realize the value of this companionship. I did a better job this year using the Linkedin and Facebook forums but I need to venture my efforts out of the virtual world to make physical connections with everyone. More lunches, dinners, movies and visits will be prioritized in 2010 for me. It sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it?

Accident or Coincident

I created the below blog post and article in December of 2009. It was posted on the Examiner.com although they closed their internet door about 5 years later. I revived the content below. I hope it resonates in some way!

I'm 100% sure I should have been listening to my inner voice and developed my creative talents instead of choosing a career that was more materialistic. It took me 40 years and much turmoil to realize my calling but, I believe, it is better late than never. I am very anxious about the money.  I'm hoping I'll be able to support my current lifestyle while keeping my inner peace and by helping others heal all at the same time. What a great win-win opportunity! I feel I'm finally on the right path, are you?

Accident or coincident

According to the Encarta Dictionary, an accident is defined as a chance happening and a coincident is defined as a synchronized event.  Is it possible we might actually have more control of our destinies then we realize or do you think our free will navigates us through a lifetime of random events without any universal connection?

Regardless of your opinion in this matter, free will is common and active in either scenario.   We’re each born with particular talents we can choose to develop or not.  If our choices do not feel right but we push forward with them anyway, probably for the wrong reasons and this sets a life course that does not align with our core purpose.  These decisions affect our well being causing physical and mental discomfort.  Usually, as we evolve into adults we find ourselves, after we’ve struggled with hardship for some time, at a crossroad and it’s not by choice.  Maybe a health issue or job loss threatened our safety.   Once the trauma dissolves, peaceful feelings surface from our core.  The devastating event that turned our world upside down awakened our spirit and enabled a re-alignment prompting our lives to get back on course revealing, through our feelings, life’s purpose. 

As we’re moving through the ordeal we label it as an accident but in hindsight it is much easier to see the sequential events are clearly coincidental; part of a bigger plan influence. 

Next time you are drawn to something or someone, follow your instinct, you might be tapping into your greater life’s plan.  Accident or coincident, maybe we are just guessing, but if you choose to ignore your instinct, is it worth potentially missing an opportunity that might trigger sequential events that unveil celestial intention or as we know it, our life’s purpose?  

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Loss through incarceration

I posted the below interview on the Examiner.com in December of 2009. Several years later they closed their internet doors and took down the content. I'm hopeful the article might educate and perhaps surface empathy for those in the sidelines of this type of grief. 


I have never really thought of families who bereave loved ones through incarceration. Many innocent people love and lose family and friends through incarceration but unfortunately society isn't prone to empathize with this population even thought they had no involvement in their loved one's crime and suddenly, in a moment's time, this person is now out of their life. I can only imagine the confusion, hurt, angry and sadness that impacts all at once but, of course, I really don't know and hope I never live this experience. Bonnie has opened my heart to this type of bereavement. She is a wonderful person and we need more people in the world like her! I hope the articles helps you relate with them better.

Loss through incarceration 

We have no choice when a loved one is taken away from us.  It forces us to find our way through an emotional darkness to enable healing.   Grief recovery is an individual journey taking on many forms as it turns lives upside down.  Society is usually sympathetic to those coping with loss but what about someone whose loss was caused by incarceration? 

Bonnie Hilberer discovered, when her Son-in-Law struggled with the loss of his father, community support was unavailable.  The system took his Dad when he was found guilty of 2^nd degree murder, crippling the family! 

Bonnie communicated, “I watched the devastation; pain, anger and hurt my Son-in-Law and my Daughter went through.  The next few months were filled with anger, bitterness, and heartbreak; both knowing his Father had done this.  Shortly after, I realized I needed to start a support group of this type.  God had provided me with the tools through years of grief experience; both in personal loss and volunteering in grief support.   While this was not a loss through death, it was still an emotional loss and needed to be dealt with and understood.  Hope 4 Healing Hearts began October, 2008.”   

Her public support group meets the 2^nd Monday of each month and averages approximately 10-15 participants.  The forum includes non-denominational prayer, an overview, promise of confidentiality and open discussion. This non-judgmental setting promotes healing and offers resources.  It is free to survivors. 

Bonnie’s mission, “To follow the map God provided me – with His guidance I will try to help others find their peace through love and forgiveness.  God never gives us more than we can handle.  I honestly believe this.  Everything and everyone, in my life, has been there for a reason; to give me direction, to use my strengths and talents and to help others through their grief so they too may know God’s healing love.”  She continued, “Each time the group meets, I’m elated when I see tears turn into smiles.  When a new person joins the group, I love hearing everyone tell them they have come to the right place!” 

If someone in your circle is coping with bereavement loss through incarceration, Bonnie recommends you do not avoid or judge them.  And, do not believe everything you read in the papers.  Instead, offer non-judgmental loving support and encouragement during their time of need! 

Click her for more detail, www.hope4healinghearts.com

Manifesting your dreams

I created this blog post and article in December of 2009, which I posted on the Examiner.com. Unfortunately, they closed their Internet doors several years later so I revived the content to offer it here. I hope it resonates, in some way, for all of those who find it!

I whole-heartily believe in manifestation. When I'm feeling like life is kicking me in the butt, I'll pull out my copy of the Secret and it helps get my mind back on track again. I think you can practice manifestation and you can actually get better with practice. Start by visualizing a good parking spot and once you've learned how to materialize this "actively" in your life, move to bigger and better things. For me, my biggest and best manifest I brought into my life is my boyfriend, Jim . I made a list, cleaned out some space in my house and then I bought some nice nighties:) He came into my life 4 months later. I don't think I could have done any better. He is the most awesome man I've ever met. Pretty cool, huh. All you have to do is believe, really believe and I know you can make your dreams come true. What do you think?

Manifesting Your Dreams

What is on your wish list?  It is the perfect time of year to contemplate how to improve your well being.  Are you someone who is content with your life and its substance or are there desires that might better enhance your journey?  Whether you’re dreaming for materialistic wants, yearning for a more enhanced spiritual connection or your inner desire craves a new love in your life, you have the power to manifest your dreams!

As taught by the Secret, think of yourself as a magnet and, realize, you attract like things.  Your mindset creates your own destiny; this is called the Law of Attraction.  Is your line of thought sending the universe an invitation for hardship through focused anxiety or are you manifesting your dreams?  

Start by determining what you really want.  Stay sincere during this process.  Look through magazines or print on-line pictures to create a collage depicting your dreams. Use this vision board to help train your mind to keep these dreams active in your thoughts.  Hang the board somewhere you frequent often; maybe in your bedroom so you can look at it when you first awaken each day and before you drift off to sleep each night.  Envision your life with your dreams fulfilled and embrace these feelings of gratification to turn your fantasy into real life bliss.  Make sure to create space in your life to welcome your vision.  For example, if you want a new vehicle, clean out your garage so it’s ready and awaiting the new arrival!  Visit FutureMe.org and write an email congratulating yourself for making your dreams come true.  This website will allow you to send an email to yourself and date its delivery up to 25 years in the future.  The process of writing the email and setting a future date of achievement will help solidify your belief.   

Believe it will happen and it will!

Remember, let go of your negativity and find your silver lining regardless of the situation.  We all know life can be hard but by focusing on the hardship, you’re empowering it and attracting the wrong type of energy.  Take back your life and train your mind to think positive.  Send out magnetic vibrations to attract and create the happiness you deserve.  There is no time like the present to believe in yourself and manifest your dreams!

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Ideas to ease holiday stress, continued...

I created the below article and posted it on Examiner.com in 2009. Several years later they closed their internet doors. If you have found your way to my words, I hope they offer some stress relief to you!

This was my blog post, which inspired the article listed below it.

When I worked full time, I can't even begin to imagine how I handled everything, especially during the holidays. I think I've turned soft; I feel like a wimp now. It is hard to believe but I'm stressed even serving within my new stay at home life! I think maybe the truth is, I've increased the expectations of myself as an attempt to overcompensate for not getting a payroll check. Perhaps someday I'll be able to give myself a break; accept myself without giving me far too many "to do's" which actually set myself up for failure! Why do we do that to ourselves? HELP!!!

Ideas to ease holiday stress

Trying to find the right gifts while fighting economic issues, harsh weather, heavy traffic and busy stores can be exhausting and stressful this time of year.  Juggling your schedule to fit in shopping, decorating, wrapping gifts, filling out Christmas cards and socializing with your family and friends, all within a few short weeks, is extremely overwhelming.  Do you wonder how in the world you will accomplish it all in so little time?  Here are some helpful hints.

Start by making a list; don’t try to keep it all in your head. 

Recruit help, kids in your family or in your neighborhood are hungry for extra money, and most of them actually enjoy decorating and wrapping gifts.

Carry your Christmas cards with you and fill them out during spare moments; your lunch hour, waiting at the doctor’s office or while sitting in your car when you’re waiting for your kids when you have to pick up from school.  

Don’t spend more than you can afford; offset costs by shopping clearance items, comparing prices and bartering where possible.  Are you creative?  If so, gift homemade crafts or holiday baked treats.  If not, gift your time; busy parents or single parents will welcome a personal coupon to babysit for them for a future occasion, senior citizens would love to receive a promise coupon to help them with errands or tasks, your significant other will cherish a massage coupon or a night free of household responsibilities!

If you’re not okay shopping in crowds or you white knuckle your wintery drives, you still have some time to shop on-line and avoid waiting in line for Christmas gifts.   

Discuss your time constraints openly with your family, most likely they are struggling also.  Perhaps you can work your schedules around the holidays; plan your party for the week before Christmas or, better yet, the week after.  It gives everyone extra time to shop and you’ll benefit from the 50-75% discounts that start the day after Christmas!

Remember, every year, somehow everything necessary actually gets done.  Offset your stress by planning, asking for help, utilizing your spare time, gifting creatively, shopping on-line and scheduling holiday parties either earlier than the Christmas week or after.  This holiday take some time to warm up by a cozy fire, enjoy your loved ones and have some fun with even your most quirky gift; this is the true meaning of the holidays!     

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC Photo- enlist help for gift wrapping or at least a buddy to de-stress with!

The perfect holiday gift fit for all ages, continued...

In December of 2009, I posted an interview article on the Examiner.com although they closed their doors about 5 years later and removed the content when they did this. Below is the original post:

It was a pleasure meeting and spending time with Jenni Gordon today. She is really an interesting person; warm, intelligent, cultured and creative! I can't speak enough about the story she brought to life in her book, One Day, I had Enough! It will engage anyone who picks it up. I highly recommend, regardless of your age, you purchase this book for someone you love or for yourself this holiday season! Do you have a self-centered, innocent but a bit malicious story you want to share from your childhood? Post a comment and let’s share a laugh!

The perfect holiday gift fit for all ages

Look no further for the perfect holiday gift this season; Jenni Gordon’s humorous, bilingual, book, One Day I Had Enough, is fit for all ages! 

       Her rendition of Mathilde, the main character, speaks to most everyone’s inner child; sweet and self-centered with a bit of malicious innocence!  The story line confronts the “ordeal” of a second child stealing the attention from the first born with its abrupt homecoming.  Jenni’s writing was influenced by her own childhood memories when her little sister was brought home, “I remember feeling utterly shocked after realizing I wasn’t going to be at the center anymore.  My parents tried to prepare me but it never dawned on me the new baby wouldn’t come with its own set of parents!”  You will, unquestionably, be able to relate to some aspect of Mathilde’s adventure.   

       One Day I Had Enough, was created as a teaching tool to help capture the attention of college students in Jenni’s French language class at the University of Michigan.  She communicated, “I was urgently looking for a story that would keep my students kind of spell bound so they would forget they were hearing it in a foreign language.  I knew I could go back far enough, into childhood and they would be interested.  I think you can kind of hit on universal experiences and a story like this is the best way to keep people interested.”      

Although this book is being marketed as a humorous children’s book, it serves several purposes; a discussion prompt when an additional child is coming into the home, a conversation piece triggering shared childhood memories and a teaching tool engaging anyone with French language.  Jenni remarked, “It does all of those things at once but the most important thing is, it makes people laugh and the fact that you can turn it upside down and read it through in French offers something different.”    

Enjoy this unique reading; offset your holiday stress with a little humor and cross another item off of your gift list.  You will, most definitely, fall in love with the comical and somber character, Mathilde!  She will leave you hopeful for a sequel.  Jenni is working on her next, more complex, story about Mathilde’s, almost, two-year old cousin who says only three phrases; its mine, I don’t want to and all done!  I’m sure this light-hearted, easy read adventure will be a delightful addition to a growing, highly anticipated collection from this new and upcoming author!    

Jenni’s book can be found in stores such as

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Mudpuddles or Crazy Wisdom in Ann Arbor, MI.

Nurturing young survivors of divorce

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Although it saddens me that I was unable to maintain a healthy marriage, I realize I did my best and, even considering the pain we all shared, I feel like my boys have survived, to date, as healthy as possible. My article is based on my own experience and although I didn't research it, the first article I looked at (and linked to) validates my advice. I know I can only control my impact on my kids and I believe my focus was and continues to be in there best interest. I've told them many times, I would do it all over again (even knowing how the marriage ended) because the love shared between me and their father did create them. I couldn't imagine my life without my boys. They truly make my world and I hope they feel the same way about me in some way! I've copied the original article in below that was posted on the Examiner before they closed their internet doors and pulled the content with them.

Nurturing young survivors of divorce

As parents, it is our primal goal to provide love, a healthy environment and encouragement to our children.  Everyone wants to mentor their offspring into successful, giving adults, perhaps raising the next President of the United States; after all, they are our future.  Today’s family structure is much different than the hierarchy of family from forty years ago.  Blended or single parent households are now more the norm as opposed to the Leave It to Beaver parental role models.  How do parents continue to nurture their young survivors of divorce as roles change and traditional family breaks down?

By, most importantly, creating a forum supporting honest and open communication; keep your children apprised (providing enough age appropriate information) of how their environment and roles will change even when you’re unsure of the outcome.   It is okay and part of real life to admit that you do not have all of the answers and although things will change, all will work out.  Hiding the truth and denying the change will only delay the inevitable and increase stress. 

Kids are very smart; they pick up non-verbal cues and then begin to imagine the worse as they take on unjust ownership for the turmoil.   It is essential to accept ownership for the failed marriage; both parents presenting a united front to the children.  If it isn’t possible to do this, it is necessary to communicate shared parental responsibility instead of verbalizing fault of your partner during the discussion with the kids.  Blaming their other parent only causes confusion and weakens your child’s self-esteem.   

Emotions will run high and there will be times when you lose your composure and strike out, with your children in your line of fire.  When this happens, acknowledge you acted inappropriately and apologize.  Show them your respect to enable theirs and gift and receive forgiveness!

Adolescents are resilient and they will emerge healthy.  Keep your focus on them; this will help you cope through the difficulty also.  Make a new routine welcoming love and adventure; even when you feel like hiding away from the world!  Enable your children to have options in your new routine and keep them busy.  Maybe, you set up Monday as game night or Friday as movie night and the kids take turns picking the games or movies.   

It is possible to support your children’s wellbeing during even the most troubling times.  By being honest, communicating, surrendering to change, offering respect and encouraging participation, you will counter the negativity of divorce and gift your children an environment promoting their healthy growth! 

Judgmental Injustice continued...

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When I see a person who looks "different" I always wonder what their life is like and if they might be reaching out for attention even if it isn't the best kind. If I feel threatened or intimidated by the individual, I notice my judgmental self comes out. My cautious thoughts become overwhelming and judgmental. This causes me to work on finding a middle ground and learn to trust, because even though a person may look intimidating, he or she can be a really good person. I have to make sure I'm not being too naïve but also I need to use my intuition. I was inspired to write the article below for Examiner.com in December, 2009. Unfortunately the Examiner closed its online doors and removed the original content.

Judgmental Injustice

What do you think when you see someone who has the colors of the rainbow in his or her hair, someone whose clothes might look a little out there or maybe they do not speak proper English, do you dismiss them morally and comment negatively under your breath?  When most people encounter individuals whose appearance do not meet their preconceived cookie cutter expectations, injustice surfaces resulting from their judgmental self.

Is this our human nature and, if so, what can we do to change it?  It is human nature to make observations based on facts and it is okay to share such observations so long as they are not hurting anyone.  But, if your opinion is based on assumption and not fact, you may need to find your moral compass to soften the judgmental self.  There are many ways to overcome this way of thinking. 
It is important to recognize these negative feelings when they occur and acknowledge that they are inappropriate and connected to thoughts, not necessarily your own, even if it is in your head. Witness these thoughts as if they are just commentary. Fundamentally, we must learn to accept everyone regardless of how they are packaged.  Find their positive traits and focus on them.  It is liberating and worthwhile to connect with all walks of life. Open your mind; once you can move beyond your superficial scrutiny, you’ll find you can actually relate with even the most quirky characters. 
Next time you’re walking with a group of friends and an innocent, eccentric person becomes a target of offensive attention, find your common ground with this person and counter your peer’s inappropriate behavior if this is the case (and I hope it isn't).  The more you are able to keep your ethics in check, the less the negative thoughts and behavior will occur.  This compassion will change your perspective of the world and empower a new found kinship!

Check out KindOverMatter for some great advice in overcoming the EGO!
  

Generosity is critical especially when times are tight

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I have volunteered for Safehouse Center, in Ann Arbor, Mi, for over a decade. It is a lifesaving organization focused on strengthening community by offering hope to those suffering with domestic violence and/or sexual assault. This is what inspired my article, which  I posted in November of 2009, It speaks to the heart of the need of the organization for donations of both time and money.

If you or anyone you know are local to Washtenaw county and you are in this situation, call the Safehouse Center helpline phone# (734) 995-5444. It is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. They will listen to you and provide options to help empower you! If you are not local to southeastern Michigan, they have resource information for other DV shelters.

Generosity is critical especially when times are tight

For almost 35 years, Safehouse has been advocating support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.  Kathy Winterhalter, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator at the center communicated, “We help empower participants to learn to regain control; make their own decisions and create their own futures.”  She said very passionately, “We don’t use the label victim, the service participants are a victim only in the moment of the crime, one moment later they become a survivor!” 

The ripple effect of the economy has impacted this organization as it has many other non-profits; their staff has been cut in half, down to approximately 30 members, making the need for their 150 active volunteers a must.  Last year they logged over 20,000 volunteer hours.  The center offers shelter, an on-site clinic, 24 hour immediate on-call response, help-line, counseling, support groups and legal advocacy; last year they helped over 4,400 survivors.    

The compassionate people of Washtenaw County passed the millage that enabled the construction of their building back in 1993.  This non-profit organization devotes its efforts towards developing communities free of domestic violence and sexual assault.  The 50-bed shelter was designed specifically for the needs of their survivors; deserving souls suffering through unimaginable circumstances. 

Safehouse Center is counting on the community’s generosity, even more so during these trying times.  Kathy remarked, “The powerful teamwork of staff, volunteers and community donors helps us give survivors what they need and deserve!” 

Please donate to this worthy cause if you are able to do so!

Thanks for the gift of your time

Thanks For the Gift of Your Time

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I've been involved, in 1 way or another, with Safehouse Center in Ann Arbor, a non-profit organization over the past few years. I wanted you to learn more about the organization which is why I prompted the interview with one of their staff members as posted below (completed in 2009). I've been working for businesses for over 20 years, interfacing with thousands, and not one of them benches up to the magic accomplished through the teamwork at Safehouse. I haven't encountered anyone who doesn't have a loving presence there. It really makes my spirit rejoice when I think of what they do and how many lives they change daily. I'm proud to be part of this organization! Who are you helping?

This was posted on the Examiner prior to them closing their doors and removing the content.

Generosity is critical especially when times are tight

For almost 35 years, Safehouse has been advocating support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.  Kathy Winterhalter, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator at the center communicated, “We help empower participants to learn to regain control; make their own decisions and create their own futures.” She said very passionately, “We don’t use the label victim, the service participants are a victim only in the moment of the crime, one moment later they become a survivor!” 

The ripple effect of the economy has impacted this organization as it has many other non-profits; their staff has been cut in half, down to approximately 30 members, making the need for their 150 active volunteers a must.  Last year they logged over 20,000 volunteer hours. The center offers shelter, an on-site clinic, 24 hour immediate on-call response, help-line, counseling, support groups and legal advocacy; last year they helped over 4,400 survivors.    

The compassionate people of Washtenaw County passed the millage that enabled the construction of their building back in 1993. This non-profit organization devotes its efforts towards developing communities free of domestic violence and sexual assault. The 50-bed shelter was designed specifically for the needs of their survivors; deserving souls suffering through unimaginable circumstances. 

Safehouse Center is counting on the community’s generosity, even more so during these trying times.  Kathy remarked, “The powerful teamwork of staff, volunteers and community donors helps us give survivors what they need and deserve!” 

The freedom of letting go

Photo of my dad and mom provided by my mom, Patricia LaBean

Today was my Dad's 71st birthday. I miss him terribly! He passed in 2008 and if it wasn't for my Mom's voice mail, I don't think I could even remember what his voice sounds like. It is really hard for me. I'm lucky I had a great relationship with him as an adult. I feel like I made him proud and I was actively involved in his life all the way until his last breath; I was there, with him, as often as possible. It was my fear he would pass by himself which thankfully didn't happen. I'm sure I would have had a much more difficult time in the aftermath of his death, had I felt guilty about things. I pray for anyone suffering with guilt or regret connected to a loved one who has passed. I hope the article helps soothe this pain! As for me, I know I can always close my eyes and find my dad imprinted into my memories and my heart! This is what was happening in my life, which inspired the article posted below but originally on Examiner.com before they closed their Internet doors and pulled the content.

The Freedom of Letting Go

Are you haunted by an unspoken truth or imprisoned by guilt from something you did or did not do in the past?  This dark secret can cripple you mentally creating negative energy that keeps you from living your deserving, healthiest potential.  

Ease your mind and mend your spirit with the freedom of letting go.  Live for this and choose to release painful thoughts when you recognize them.  Freedom is not being subject to or affected by a particular thing, especially something undesirable as defined by the Encarta Dictionary. 

Welcome this concept to start your healing process.  Recognize you are human and you’re not perfect.  Even at your best, you will make mistakes.  If you’re not, you are not embracing life fully.  Give yourself a break, forgiving you first and then others; apologize if necessary regardless if the person is not longer in the living; write them a letter.  Let go of any unrealistic expectations and bring yourself back into the present moment when you find yourself stolen into the past.  Address life as it comes and do not let the negativity fester.  If you’re not able to confront a problem, learn to vent in a healthy way; either through friends, family, a professional or by writing it down and burning it as a way to release any negative thoughts. 

Enable your healthy life by freeing guilt, regret or shame.  Learn to “let it go” and allow this philosophy to be the wholesome foundation for moving forward. Remember, this is a process so when intrusive thoughts pop in, remind yourself you have chose to let go and work your coping tools like deep breathing or meditation to de-escalate any heightened feelings!

Bereaving the loss of a husband

Photo provided by Patricia LaBean taken at their
 40th Wedding anniversary party.

The loss of Buck LaBean, my father and Patricia LaBean's husband (my mother), has been the most traumatic thing any of us, in my family, has been through. We've all leaned on eachother and with each day that passes it seems we're stepping on the path of healing. Interviewing my mom and asking some personal questions helped me discover that she is doing better than I expected with her bereavement. My mom is a really strong person but she is living with a broken heart hoping her time left on earth is minimal. It is sad to accept this but I realize her world has been shattered and it will take some time for her to recover and find peace with a new life without my dad. Her persevering spirit inspired my article, which I posted on Examiner.com in November of 2009. They closed their internet doors years later and took down the article, which is posted below.

Bereaving the loss of a husband

As Patricia LaBean, of Belleville Michigan, placed her order for funeral flowers, May of 2008, she told the florist at Steins Nursery, “Fifty years ago in July, I was here with my boyfriend ordering our wedding flowers!” After living her life with her childhood sweetheart, her beloved husband, LaVern LaBean (known by all as Buck), she was devastated by his death. 

She communicated her biggest fear was to live by herself after being used to having someone with her; someone who shared all of her experiences and then all of a sudden he was gone! She offered advice to anyone who is suffering the loss of a loved one, especially through the holidays, “You don’t realize what you have until you lose it, you take them for granted because you think you’ll go on together forever and this isn’t the case.” Her message was clear, “Be thankful this Thanksgiving, and every day, for your family!” 

She continued, “It is hardest for me at night when I’m trying to sleep, thoughts go through my mind. I know it is bad to say but sometimes I feel like I’m just existing, waiting to die, waiting for my turn. At first things that reminded me of him like his birthday (November 25^th), certain songs, flowers, a Coke (he retired from Coca-Cola) made me sad but now, it makes me happy. I feel him around me and I know I’ll see him again someday.” When asked what she misses the most about him, Patty responded, “His sense of humor, he was always such a character, he kept me laughing all of the time!”

With time, Patricia is learning how to better cope with the grief from the loss of her husband. The support from her family, the unconditional love from her pets and her faith in God enables her to get through each day. 

Patricia and her family received a heavenly blessing they believed Buck helped orchestrate from beyond the grave. Her Grandchild, Jennifer Booth, gave birth to her first Great Grandchild, Kylie Madison Booth, born on May 20, 2009.  This was exactly one year, to the day, after her husband passed. This sweet little baby will help the family mourn Buck’s death with an annual gathering celebrating her life. It is a true miracle!

 

 

Using Your Spirituality as Your Lifeline

Lifetime Art Impressions, artwork

I was able to really understand the power of God and our great universe when we visited the Grand Canyon this past summer. The view really gives a perspective of something much bigger than "us". If you ever get a chance, it is a worth-while trip! This is what inspired the below post that I wrote for the Examiner.com before they closed their on line doors and took the content down.

Using Spirituality as your lifeline

We’re so fortunate to be gifted with life, what a glorious sensation; to be part of the vibrations of humanity impacting the world! When it feels like the world is impacting you and this is probably more often than not these days, recognizing and relying on your spirituality is essential!

It can be the key to finding your peace of mind regardless if you are a religious person or not.  As defined by Brene Brown,

“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.”

This starts with understanding philosophically, the intangible powers of the universe. This power reaches into each of us validating our existence; we are not alone, we’re part of the whole. Tangibly, imagine you’re like a small grain of sand playing its part and holding its place at the ocean’s side. How can you feel peace, guidance and love from such an indescribable source?

You can feel this by being conscious of your individual part and how this part impacts the whole. We are beautiful creations and we are capable of surviving anything disrupting our journeys. This is something you must embrace to empower your zest for life.  Realizing you can’t control others but you can control yourself, and by trusting “this to will pass” and with a mindset of, "I'm capable of handling whatever comes my way", knowing if you can't figure it out, you will find someone who can. With this thinking, you’ll find it easier to navigate back to your own peace of mind gifting yourself clarity with the thoughts framed above. 

By living your life as kindly as possible, generating a positive worldly influence, even when you’re feeling like a specimen under the universal microscope, you’ll find your spirituality can be your lifeline!

 

Priceless Self Worth

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As a Mother I really believe my boys learn more from my actions or non-verbal approaches as apposed to learning from my words (which is good more times than not)! I've always tried to be fair with them and, if I mess up, I've learned to recognize it and apologize just as I would expect them to do for me when tables are turned. Through the good times and bad, I've somehow been able to hold my head high and keep my ethics in check knowing these young pupils of life we're absorbing all of my reactions along the way. One of my biggest fears has been the disabling thought of either of them not possessing healthy self-worth. I'm really proud of both of them and I'm so grateful they've found their way and, in their young teen lives, they are both exuding priceless self-worth. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and I'm praying a lot along the way to help us all stay on course, taking it and enjoying one day at a time! This is what inspired my article below, which was posted on the Examiner prior to them closing their online doors and removing the content.

Priceless self worth

What is the value of your self-worth? Self-worth comes from within each of us although this perception is very apparent to others. How you think of yourself is projected into the world like an imaginary price tag floating over your head. Are you projecting a priceless self worth or are you red tagged and targeted for the clearance rack? 

Most people will spend hours in the kitchen preparing wonderful meals for their loved ones but when it comes to making their own food, a five minute meal is customary or perhaps there isn't any meal prepared.  Why is it we can justify spending our time on someone else’s needs but not on our own? Perhaps we’re people pleasers and we crave praise from others to validate our own existence; someone needs you, therefore you must be valuable!? 

Your self-worth doesn’t increase from external praise although in the moment it may feel like it. It can be improved, fundamentally, by embracing spirituality inclusive of mindfulness. Learn to appreciate the wonder of you and how to manifest a healthy life and when you do this, you'll find miracles within the most ordinary places. Practice letting go of preconceived notions such as self-centeredness or selfishness. Fill your spirit with self-love. Set aside time prioritizing your own needs; this refueling will help you better serve others in your life. 

Allow this self-love to clear the distortion from your mirror image and let this new found confidence radiate self-esteem and reflect your priceless value to the world!  

 Click here to read more about self-worth.

Forced career change surfaced a new found passion

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This article was posted in 2009 on the Examiner.com website. Since then they have closed their doors and took the content down that was with them!

Michelle's story is really inspirational to me. I'm in the same boat and I'm hoping 6 years from now I'll be feeling confident and I'll be happy with my career transition. I love writing and creating art and I'm hopeful it will support my lifestyle and I'll be able to consider it a career!

Michelle is actually offering dinner massages in the Toledo area. She and another Massage Therapist, along with a chef, go into peoples home and massage (the couple) while the chef prepares their meal. They've developed a pretty cool package!

Michelle is genuinely serving other's needs and helping spread good health and happiness. We need more people on the earth like her!

Forced career change surfaced a new found passion

Michelle is an extraordinary woman, someone who reinvented herself after her world was turned upside down by a job loss in 2003. Like most people who’ve lost their job, she wasn’t sure where to turn.  She decided to go back to school for Massage Therapy, “Without one door closing I don't think I would have even considered opening another one.” Her forced career change surfaced her new found passion, “Massage is such a rewarding career, I'm grateful, as strange as it may sound to have lost that job!”

Michelle transitioned from a Finance career to Massage. She is a Massage Therapist and instructor at Owens Community college in Toledo. Her passion is clear when you meet her, “It’s important to love your work, because your attitude will definitely come out in your massage. I believe in healing touch, I believe it works. My job is to be the best hour of your day.”

She feels strongly about this holistic healing approach, “Massage definitely benefits both mind and body, treating not only the symptoms, but establishing a cause whether it’s internal or external."

Michelle discussed some of its many benefits, “Massage increases overall circulation, helps in alleviating lower back pain, improves range of motion, assists with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers, helps athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts and is, overall, great for relaxation.” When asked what she would say to someone who isn’t comfortable with touch, she offered Chair Massage as an option. “This 10 – 20 minute, fully clothed, seated massage slowly introduces you to massage giving you an idea of what to expect.”

Michelle’s thoughts on massage necessity, “Most people still consider massage a luxury and say they can’t afford it, what they don’t realize is, it’s not a luxury, it has extreme benefits and what you can’t afford is to not take care of yourself. It’s the best preventative medicine I know of!" 

Michelle’s career transition rewards her daily by meeting people like Patty Wilson; someone who is coping with Dementia. Patty’s response after receiving a massage Michelle donated is testimony of the power of therapeutic touch, “I feel giddy! You know-- happy all over!  I felt, today, like a normal person, doing things a normal woman would do, it was a wonderful day!"  Michelle could have never imagined any of this would have been possible without suffering the tragedy of her job loss. It was a true blessing in disguise for her!   

The holistic powers of touch

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Embrace those whom you love!

I grew up in a family that really didn't communicate love by hugging or verbalizing it, although we knew we were loved, it wasn't physically demonstrated. I've made an effort to love my kids not only with my words but by physically hugging them every chance I got or they would let me:) It used to be often when they were little, but now as teenagers, it's a bit more difficult. I'm hopeful I've instilled the importance of touch into their hearts and they'll pass it forward as they mature into healthy adults!

Below is the article I wrote for the Examiner.com prior to them closing their online doors and removing the content!

Holistic Powers of Touch

As defined in the Encarta Dictionary, holistic is taking into account all of somebody’s physical, mental and social conditions in the treatment of illness. Touch, when influenced by affection, is its pathway; a wonderful sensation that sends energy into the body, soothing signals to the mind and warmth into the heart. 

When you are at a loss for words, and you’re not sure how to help a loved one in their time of need, express silent compassion by offering sincere and calming touch. The holistic powers of touch facilitate connections of tenderness and healing through human kindness.   

Are you comfortable with physical contact?  If so, the spiritually uplifting, gift of massage is a therapeutic encounter that is out of this world.   

Michelle Raider, a certified masseuse, discussed some of the numerous benefits of massage, “It enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow (the body’s natural defense system), increases joint flexibility, lessens depression and anxiety, reduces spasms and cramping, lowers blood pressure, relaxes and softens injured and tired muscles and best of all it’s becoming accepted throughout the medical community!”   

It is essential to realize and share the holistic power of touch.  Regardless, if you are treating yourself or someone else with the celestial gift of massage or warming someone’s heart through a hug, kiss on the forehead or offering a supportive hand; promote affection through touch and help make the world a more loving place to live!