Words of encouragement…

One of the stages of grief you will experience during the divorce process is Anger. Anger is a strong emotion that gives you a false since of power and control. Some actions taken while under the influence of Anger actually takes your power and control and places it in the hands of the other person. There can be a place in our lives that we can use to push ourselves forward. You have more control of what's happening than you think. Your control is in your choices (pg. 106/107 of Moving On!). Choose thoughts and actions that have nothing to do with the person(s) that have been the source of your anger. Choose thoughts that lead to actions that bring calm and comfort to you. It's a hard task at first but make it a daily conscious decision. Small, short steps will lead to bigger, long ones. Get your copy of Moving On! Living Life to the Fullest After Divorce

"I've been through hell and forgiveness takes time. It's the last stage in the healing process". Those are the words of golfer Tiger Woods ex-wife Elin Nordegren after infidelity destroyed their famous marriage. Yes, she did receive in the divorce settlement more money then we may even be able to imagine ($100 million). Some might think that should be enough to help her or anyone easily move on after divorce but money doesn't make the pain go away. She said it best the painful reality is "marriage without trust and love isn't good for anyone". Forgiveness does take time. The healing process takes time. Hopefully now that the divorce is behind her she can continue on her journey of healing and ultimately find peace in the forgiveness she deserves for herself first and Mr. Woods second.

Relationships fall apart. Picking up the pieces is not always easy. Somewhere in between caring for the kids, work, family and the million other responsibilities staring you in the face, somehow sorting out your emotions doesn't seem that high on the "to do list". But it is. Emotional instability is normal when going through a divorce. Trying to understand why you are so sad one day and angry at the world the next can be confusing and exhausting. Heavier than a ton of bricks. What you need are the three R's: Refresh, Restore, Renew to help you find yourself again. A life changing 5 session workshop just for you. During the rest of this month, we are going to take a look at the six stages of recovery; Denial, Anger, Depression, Loneliness, Acceptance and Forgiveness. Which stage are you in right now? Comment on my blog. For more information email me at . Or click on Refresh, Restore, Renew under upcoming events.

Whew! June is over. It is the most popular month for taking a stroll down the aisle for love birds committing a life of love together, forever. I think its great-for them. But what if you're on the other side of that Joy & Happiness? Yes, you are happy for your friends but truthfully if you have to endure one more story of how they met and fell in love you just might puke! If you're single, compared to your girlfriend it might seem like you've gotten the short end of the stick. Hold on, not quite. There are advantages to being single. Let me tell you about three. For starters you can pick up and go! No checking your blackberry with someone else’s trying to schedule a three day weekend that works for two. Explore your options! There's a whole group of people out there just like you, single and ready to meet someone new. You have choices, make use of them. Finally, being single means quiet time. We're all busy. Sometimes at the end of a hectic day you just want “me time”. Tax credits are an advantage to being married. Well singlehood has its advantages too.

Everyone has been talking about the new decade. We made it through the first decade of the 21st century. Remember Y2K? It had us all thinking the world would crash when the clock struck 12am January 1, 2000. But we are still here. Change. Is it really necessary? Is it important? Does it make a significant difference in our life? What role does it play in our growth? In our healing process? My answer to all of the above is a resounding YES! Absolutely it does! Towards the end of 2009, as I began to seek God and hear His voice for what He would have me to do in 2010, came unexpected responses. The year 2010 would be a year of significant changes for me. My comfort zone would be dismantled and I would have to come to rely on Him in a completely new way. Quickly changes came, that would stretch me while strengthening my faith and trust in God. I had to take a deep breathe and decide “do I shrink back, stay in my comfort zone or trust the god in me and step out in faith?” I STEPPED OUT! Change can be scary, and downright fearful at times because it carries a level of the “unknown”. You may find yourself asking, ”do I embrace change if all the details are not laid out clearly in front of me?” Some would say no. Some would say yes. The answer is actually a combination of both. Major change should not be done haphazardly. It should be approached after much prayer, confirmation and after some details are worked out, specifically as it relates to health and safety. What do you want to Change in your life in 2010? - Exercise more? - Pray more? - Spend more time with your children, family, or friends? - Change jobs, careers, cities or states? Know that you never have to go it alone. Let others help you. Embrace support. Know that the Lord of host…your stronghold is with you for guidance and direction.

Be encouraged this week in what God is going to do in your life. Walk by faith knowing your life is in His hands. Isaiah 54:1-6 Sing O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor, because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says the Lord. Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes, For you will spread out to the right and to the left, your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace, you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit.

April Showers is suppose to bring May Flowers but we have gotten our share of rain this month. I don't mine as it is just a doorway to my favorite season...Summer. Ahhh...I love the warmth of the summer. The outdoor activities, barbeques, picnics, swimming pools and family fun days in the park. Mother's Day to Memorial Day to graduations. May is a month long celebration. What are you celebrating this month in your life? What are you looking forward too? What do you have planned for this summer?

In honor of Women Awareness Month get your copy of Moving On! Living Life to the Fullest After Divorce Purchase a copy at $19.95 and get a second copy free for a friend, relative or book club member. From now until March 31st (first 50 copies). Purchase your copy and get a second copy free. You only pay shipping and handling for your free copy. Moving On! is a great inspirational book for anyone who has every been through a difficult relationship. Click on the Moving On Radio button and get your copy. Read what Dr. Terri Orbuch, Fox 2 News, "The Love Doctor" has to say about Moving On!

March is Women Awareness Month. So what does that mean for all the women out there? It means it is time you focus on YOU. There are four specific areas I want you to focus on this month. Health. If you don't maintain, you won't remain. That means we have to exercise, change the way and what we eat, get enough rest and build ourselves up spiritually. I know, I know, you are thinking where in the world would I add 30-45 minutes of exercise a day into my already overbooked day? Instead of going out to lunch, stay in and walk around your office building. Get one of those "walking exercise" tapes. I did it one winter and it really worked. While dinner is in the oven and kids are doing homework, put in an exercise CD and increase your heart rate. Did you know heart disease was the #1 killer of women? Not breast cancer but heart disease. Eat right. I love my chocolate cake, but not everyday, not even every week. Have some of what you like but not all of what you like all the time. Rest. This is the hardest of the four for me. I seem to run out of time to sleep and rest. I have made it a priority this month to increase my rest. Not just sleep but rest. Take 10 minutes and sit, think, dream. It will energize you. Finally, develop your inner man. Mediate on the things of the Lord. Pray. Spend time reading scripture. It will strengthen and encourage you during these difficult times. Remember, God is your source. Women Awareness Month means it's time to stop and focus, become aware of you. As you do so, hopefully by the end of the month it will become the norm and not the exception. What do you plan to do for you during Women Awareness Month? Blessings, LaShon

February means Love is in the air. Valentine Day...the one special day we celebrate love and those we love the most. Cupid is working overtime, bringing together those who thought love was beyond them or not for them. But is Valentine the only day we should celebrate our love for those we love the most? Do we only celebrate if we have a "significant other"? We can easily fall into that trap or way of thinking. This February, celebrate Valentine with all your love ones; family and friends. Celebrate you. The love you have for yourself. Take the day to remember how wonderful you are. Love on you and when others see you appreciating YOU they will too. You are special, everyday.

January 1st has always been one of my favorite days of the year. Even though most of the world is recovering from a long night of partying, church or a number of other celebratory ways in which they brought in the new year, I look forward to finding a quiet place, centering myself and reflecting for a moment on some of the past and imaging the possibilities that lie ahead in my future. I often compare life to a book. Made up of a series of chapters, each year adding a new chapter to your book called, “My Life”. Chapter 2008 is gone, never to be heard from again and you are ready to write the pages of Chapter 2009. How exciting! After only 365 days you are able to “total” start over. Actually, you have 365 times each year to start over but there’s something symbolic about making your fresh start the first few days of the year. So here’s what I say: What do you want in 2009? A new house, peace, marriage, business, more friends? Whatever it is, it depends on just one person – YOU! Go get it! Yes, okay, our country is in an economic downturn and yes, maybe you’ve just gone through a painful divorce or recent job loss but that doesn’t have to stop your success for this year. If you’re not excited about this new year, get excited! Forget what lies behind and reach forward to all the opportunities that are in front of you. Here at Divorce Recovery Today, we are so excited about your new possibilities. We will be with you every step of the way. Providing you with information that affects your life. Look for new information from DRT. Each month we will feature articles and stories on subjects that concern you. Like: Health- Family- Love- Relationships- Money- Divorce- Recovery- Renewal and much more. Everything you need to know for a successful 2009. This will be your best year yet! We would love to hear from you. Join our mailing list or email us your questions, comments or just let us know what you are thinking. Remember…it’s Mine in 2009! Blessings to you…

Divorce Recovery Today would like to wish you and your family the happiest Christmas ever. This has been a year of many challenges, changes and growth but we know because you are reading this message, God has kept you in His perfect peace, provision and never ending care. As you search for the perfect gift for your friends, family and love ones, remember we have already received the best gift of all-the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Peace & Blessings for 2009.

Divorce Recovery Today would like to wish you and your family the happiest Christmas ever. This has been a year of many challenges, changes and growth but we know because you are reading this message, God has kept you in His perfect peace, provision and never ending care. As you search for the perfect gift for your friends, family and love ones, remember we have already received the best gift of all-the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Peace & Blessings for 2009.

This is the time of year when we're suppose to reflect on all we are Thankful for. Our family, friends, job, home, health-the list can go on and on. We are suppose to be more kind and giving to those who are less fortunate than we are. (In this present economic situation, it might seem like you are the less fortunate) Maybe it has been a rough year for you. Maybe you've lost your job or home. Maybe you've lost a love one or experienced a major change to your family and this Thanksgiving is going to be the first Thanksgiving without him/her and it's hard to really feel thankful. But that is why I so appreciate 1Thessalonians 5:18. It says to "give thanks in all (things)circumstances" not for all circumstances but in all circumstances. You may not be thankful for something but give God Thanks while you're in it and He will see you through it. Don't let your circumstance determine your level of Thanksgiving. Without hardly trying, you could think of a hundred things to Thank God for right now. Go ahead and do it. When you do, His peace, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:7) Happy Thanksgiving. LaShon

Well, it's that time of the year again...back-to-school that is. We breathe a sigh of relief on that last day of the school year. For awhile, no book bags, no afterschool basketball, cheerleading or band practice. No lunches to be made as the bus driver sits impatiently outside your house blowing for your teenager to come out. No long waits in the line for the bathroom (that 15 minute bathroom rule was forgotten by November). Yeah, summer means a break from routines and a little more time to stop and catch your breathe. BUT THAN ITS GONE IN A FLASH! Well here are a few tips that might just help make your back to school routine alot smoother.

Do as much as you can at night.

Make lunches, lay out the close, take the baths/showers at night. I even began to set the kithen table for breakfast the next morning. Every little bit helps.

Have a set time to get up.

Kids work better on schedules and routines.

No homework in the mornings.

Their brains will start working soon enough, take the morning to read a devotion, mediate or pray. Leave school work for the night before or once they get to school.

Get up before the kids.

You need a little me time before everyone else is up. It really helped center my day and boost my energy when I could take some time for me. These are some of my back-to-school tips. What do you do to get ready for back-to-school?