Lifting up those who are in need!

I recently read an article that was written by a licensed clinical social worker. He had experienced some real losses in his life and was expressing the things that he learned and suggestions to others, who want to help in time of need. The article is called Lifting the Hands which hang down by Stephen Havertz and you can read all of it here:

I wanted to share a few things that I really thought were good to remember, especially coming from his unique perspective on grief and loss...

In his own experience, even when he thought that he had handled the death of his child, he realized that there were still times when emotions seemed to sneak up and ambush him. He said that he felt like most of his life he was a fairly EVEN emotionally, but during and after a few of these really hard trials he felt like his EMOTIONS OVERPOWERED ALL LOGIC!
What can I say?
Please don't say " I know what you are going through " if you never have experienced that exact situation. And even sometimes if you have, remember that everyone and everyone's experiences and life are different, so they could feel differently still. EACH TYPE OF GRIEF COMES WITH ITS OWN SET OF QUESTIONS AND OFTEN A HEAVY DOSE OF REGRET AND EMOTIONAL PAIN.
In all cases, those who wish to help will be most effective when they can be sensitive to the unique situation. It's probably best to express your love and condolences to the grievers and avoid making statements about what they should do or how they should feel.
PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT PLACING A TIME LIMIT ON SOMEONE'S GRIEF. Some people believe that you should be finished grieving in a year and a half. He mentions that his daughter died 3 years ago and still he feels tremendous pain whenever he visits the hospital where she was sick. This type of grief doesn't mean that he is depressed or inconsolable, but rather it suggests that he still misses the daughter that he loved so much.
What is helpful?
He mentions that it is helpful to have conversations with others when they talk about their favorite memories of his daughter. It is also helpful when they are willing to listen to his favoritie memories of her. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE GRIEVING TO STOP CRYING. They still need to release their feelings and that is ok!
He said one neighbor ( that he didn't know well ) just came over and just gave him a hug, that was his way of communicating his love and concern for him. Another person and some friends came over ( unexpectantly ) and did his yard work. He really appreciated that.
What is really important to remember?
THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT HIM THAT IT IS BEST TO BE EMPATHETIC AND PROACTIVE ABOUT HELPING THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING. IF YOU TAKE TIME TO OBSERVE, YOU CAN OFTEN COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR HOW TO HELP THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THE GRIEVER'S NEED.  AND ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND...THAT  PEOPLE MOURN IN DEEPLY PERSONAL WAYS!
So we need to stand ready to help and lift up other, as the Savior would have us to do.
Good night dear friends!

Arise and Shine

   I just recently got a calling or teaching position at church to work with the Young Women. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing girls! Each year they have a Theme that they work on, and the one for this year is Arise and Shine! As I was reading an article here: about the theme, I was impressed with what that really means to Arise and Shine forth. It is sorta like a standard for them to uphold. One definition for Standard is a rule of measurement by which one determines exactness or perfection.
   We all know those people who seem to understand and live this theme don't we? They have a light in their eyes and their whole countenance just shines, it makes you want to be around them. Then after you have been with them, you some how always feel better.  That is the type of person I would like to be!
   The girls are encouraged to take an inventory of their habits and  hearts to see if they are clean and worthy of that light, that countenance that comes from making good choices. But that is not easy to do to in today's world. There are many challenges that the kids today face, that seem much harder than when I was a teenager, some are the same... but some are much more dangerous. Sometimes it is hard to see the way, as leaders we are trying to help them recognize their self worth and potential.
   I love the theme, because it is a good reminder to us all to arise up among all the bad things in the world and try and shine our light to others and help them.

   Yes, I think this will be a good help to me each week as I work with the girls and remember things that I too can learn from.
   Good night dear friends

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

Motivational Stories can make a difference!

On more than one occasion, someone has asked me why I write my motivational blog each day? They then remind me that I don’t get paid for it, and that no one is making me do it…so why do I write it day after day? For over 3 years now I have written this motivational blog. I believe that it has probably helped me as much as it has helped any one else. I write it because I feel like it’s what I am suppose to do. I have wanted to do something like this for years but never got up the courage to do so. Even when I first started it, I was scared to death that someone would notice my poor writing skills. I thought people couldn’t get  past that, but they have and they do. I write this blog not only for me to keep track of my progress, but I do know that others read it and look forward to it, so that also gives me motivation to write it.
I just want people to be able to read my blog and feel a bit more hope or comfort in their problems. I want them to read it and smile. I want them to know that they aren’t alone in their problems. It is just what I am suppose to do. I believe like the old saying “An apple a day helps keep the Doctor away” we could say “ A motivational story a day can keep the psychiatrist away”   Just kidding, but I do think being more positive and trying to see the glass half full, does make you want to live life to the fullest! That is why I write this blog!

Tonight I found this place that has motivational stories, and this is what they say about these stories…

Motivational stories have the ability to lift us up, make us smile, encourage, motivate, and teach us valuable life lessons. Here are some motivating stories that will hopefully help you spark that motivational feeling. They give us an empowering sense of hope, that if 'he/she' can do it, so can I.

Throughout history, people have used inspirational stories to teach, encourage, and inspire in hopes that the listener will use it as a stepping stone and as an example to live a better life. Some will make you think, some will make you cry. Hopefully, some will give you that motivation to go for your dreams.

The important thing to remember when reading these inspiring stories is that when you get that feeling of motivation, where you want to do something, do something. Nothing is more of a waste than to be inspired and motivated and not take any action. Your life will only change as a result of taking focused action. An inspirational story is nothing if it doesn't cause you to do something or at least make you believe in yourself a bit more. Hopefully, these inspiring stories will change your life in some way.  http://www.motivational-well-being.com/index.html

Mount Everest

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953 he scaled the highest mountain then known to man-29,000 feet straight up. He was knighted for his efforts.

He even made American Express card commercials because of it! However, until we read his book, High Adventure, we don't understand that Hillary had to grow into this success.

You see, in 1952 he attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed. A few weeks later a group in England asked him to address its members.

Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. The audience was recognizing an attempt at greatness, but Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform.

He made a fist and pointed at a picture of the mountain. He said in a loud voice, "Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow... but I'm still growing!"

- Brian Cavanaugh
"The Sower's Seeds"

“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.”   ~ Pat Riley

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”  ~ Raymond Chandler

I’m going to love you through it!

I heard this song on the radio the other day and it made me cry. It was something that I related to all too well, since I have been diagnosed with Cancer two different times in my life. I love the relationship that the woman in this song had with her husband, family and friends, because that is exactly what I had. I had my husband, kids, family, and friends who all loved me through it! I felt blessed to have that much support and that made all the difference in the world!  Isn’t that really what life is all about … helping each other through it? There are many people who don’t have that much support, and that is why I think it is vital for all of us to help anyone who has to battle Cancer. No one should have to face it alone!

Well, it has been 3 years now since I beat Cancer once again. I remember well the feelings that were described in the song, you knew that who ever wrote it either had had cancer, or had a loved one that did. I could never thank all of you or Jeff or the kids enough,…for loving me through it!
But I will spend the rest of my life trying to and  loving others through it!
Take a look at the video below! Good night dear friends!
(These two cute red heads, keep me going! )

Martina McBride – I’m Gonna Love You Through It Lyrics

She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight

Cancer don’t discriminate
Or care if you’re just Thirty-Eight
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said I know that you’re afraid and I am too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry
I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes

When you feel lost and scared to death
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

She made it through the surgery fine
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned

And now it’s forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
And she just wants to feel like a woman again

She said I don’t think I can do this anymore
He took her in his arms and said
That’s what my love is for

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry
I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes

When you feel lost and scared to death
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it

Oh baby

And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it

I’m gonna love you through it
I’m gonna love you through it

I’m gonna love you through it

 

“Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.”     ~Mother Teresa

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”   .  ~Anne Frank

”Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.”     ~William James