ENCOURAGEMENT DuringThese Challenging Times

[Ola Jackson]

Hello Ladies,

During these challenging economic times, it is easy for you to get discouraged. Take the time to contact some of the members of the group to share some inspiration and motivation. You will be surprised how much better you will feel about your own situation.

If major corporations are struggling, we could only imagine what crisis you are experiences. I hear that things are about to get worse before they get better; which means most of us will have to take a realistic look at what we are doing and how we are doing it, and who we are doing it with.

It helps to voice your feelings so I will start a forum on the site today for you to simply express what you feel, and vent, if you like. We would also appreciate some uplifting words. I believe that times are worse for some people than some of us could imagine.

[Dorothy Williams]

Peace and Blessings Ola:

I received your email today, and was very happy to see that there is a section to express some of the fears, discouragement, and also positivity that comes at a time such as this. I am struggling just like half of the world right now. Some of us like myself trying to get started and can't seem to just get a "leg up". some of us seeing the decline of our already struggling business. But you know, I feel that it will all come when it is suppose to. God is watching everything that is going on. we must have faith and trust above all else. I do and I try real hard to be positive.I am a single woman determined to make it in these "yet" United States, and in my own business. Prayer works, and it's keeping me strong.

[Dr. Niama L. Williams]

Dr. Ni's News
Volume 1, Number 5A
Monday, December 8th, 2008
MONDAY MORNING SPECIAL EDITION



VALIDATION
This film sent to me by Creative Catalyst founder Lynn Scheurell was simply too positive and uplifting to wait until Friday at 11 a.m. Consequently, I am sending it to you today because as we face the holiday season I know that time with family can be challenging for some of you.

THE FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

I have recently learned that one of my older brothers is seriously ill and may not survive into 2009. I share what I am about to share with you, walking in the brave steps of Christine Kloser, who took a deep breath shared her new way of envisioning with the world as her cat sat on her lap, not to make a mint from my brother's situation, but to share with you how a survivor handles tough family circumstances.

I was abused by both of my older brothers growing up, and while I do not blame them, I have made the decision as a healing adult to discontinue relationship with them and with my father. I made this decision after two challenging phone calls with both of them, and in terms of my father, after beginning a relationship with a man who taught me what fathers could be and sometimes are.

I know that I made the right decision for me because it is a decision I made not from a place of anger, rage, fury or past hurt: it was a decision made from a place of calm and peace and serenity. A place of healing and acceptance.

Dr. Phil is correct: many times, in the healthiest of relationships, "I forgive you" means nothing more than "I do not allow you to hurt me again" or "I do not allow you to continue to hurt me."

The news, however, that my brother might be dying was the first test of this calm, rational decision. Was I truly over it? Was this really a decision made with a level head and a calm heart?

Guilt rose, ready to surface as I spoke with my niece, the apple of my 46-year-old eye. Could I really leave her alone in all of this, 3,000 miles away?

My beloved looked at me with his one good eye and said, "You are not well enough to go, and I have no problem telling anyone in California that is the case."

I looked into his loving orbs and could say to him what my heart was already telling me: I didn't want to go. These people were part of my past, not my present nor my future. Joseph reminded me that I needed to move forward, and going there would be doing the opposite of that.

I will not say that there are not moments when I wonder if I am making the right decision, but my deepest spirit knows that I can pray for my brother's soul here, from Pennsylvania, and I can love the memory of him best from this safe, loving distance.

That I was discharged from the hospital a mere two weeks ago, that I am newly insulin-dependent adjusting to a diabetic diet, that an intuitive counseling practice is growing up around me as well as the prospect of a home purchase by the two of us--all of these realities swirl around me.

My future calls, and it is my responsibility, my choice, to answer it from within the arms of those who love me, and who do so without an accompaniment of pain.

May your holiday season be blessed, relaxed, fun, and full of the joy of family, whether it be family of origin, family of choice, or a grey and loving area inbetween.



VALIDATION--THE CONTEST
A new year beckons just around the corner, and I ask you, after viewing this powerful film that I know I will watch countless times in the coming weeks, what does validation mean to you and how would you most like it administered?

What role does self-validation play in your life and do you find it more or less important, life-changing, significant than validation from others? If so, when, where, why, how?

Are you comfortable with your answers to these questions? Why? Why not?

Picture the healthiest, most loving validation you can imagine. From whom or what is it coming? What are they wearing? What are you wearing? Who is doing what and why, how? Why is this particular gesture or activity the healthiest and most loving validation you can imagine? What makes it so?

Email your answers in a message--as a Microsoft Word document attachment (no other programs please; Word doc only)--to Dr. Ni's News' principal editor (Dr. Ni!) at drni[at]blowingupbarriers.com.

I will read all entries and, with permission, publish the most engaging. Try to limit your responses to minimum of one page (350-500 words) and a maximum of 5,000 words. I will do a word count, so 5,001 WILL get you deleted.

No entry fee, but the grand prize winner will receive $100 and signed copies of THE JOURNEY and DETECTIVE FICTION: THE NOVEL (one signed copy each). The first place winner will receive $75 and signed copies of STEVEN and FAMOUS FACES (one signed copy each). For more info on these titles, please visit http://www.blowingupbarriers.com.

DEADLINE: January 31st, 2009, 12 midnight EST.

Cogitate. Write. Proof. Edit. Cogitate some more. Proof and edit again. Do drafts. Submit.

I am eagerly awaiting your words!



About
The photo above is the last one taken of my mother, Lessie Beatrice Shepherd Williams, before she passed away in October 2003. I do not remember the anniversary of her death because I feel and know that she is with me and will be until a certain life event which both she and I are expecting (my marriage). The wonderful man standing with her is the husband of her best friend, Lenie's husband Walter, and their home was a special refuge for me as a child. I always knew I was safe there.

I place this photo of my mother at the top of my newsletter to acknowledge what she was to me as she lived and all of the spiritual power and grace she endows from her particular stance in Heaven.

I miss your physical presence, Mama, but I still hear your voice and I still see your face.

May all of you out there have an ancestor interceding for you with love and attention.

My little way of stepping out as an intuitive counselor, much as Christine Kloser does in her new audio series. I learn from the best.

December 8th, 2008
Norristown, Pennsylvania


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http://www.blowingupbarriers.com





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[Earnestine Shuemake Stokes]

Greetings,
Thank you for opening this discussion. I had allowed fears to creep in over the economic situation. Then I realized my first tool in business--faith. Using faith over fear has given me clear eyes for the future. I am reminded, even in the worst of times, God has made millionaires. No matter what is going on, the glass is still half full.
Sure things have changed, we will have to make adjustments but we still have the power to choose how we accept the situation. Being in business I learned, the situation did not change because I feared it for what we fear will truly test us.
The ecomomy has made my circle reach out more for support and friendship. The best is always in the mix of the mess.
Some who have been released from jobs are finding out how talented and resourceful they really are. Some are creating work for themselves. It can enlarge our ranks and allow us to see that side we need to survive anything.
Let us be encouraged by the fact the future is ours to create. Speak what you want. Be open to receive and be most thankful. God is our source and supply. The time is here to prove, "greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world".
Who knows-you just may be one of those millionaires!
E

[Ola Jackson]

Thank you ladies for sharing. Many need to know that they are not alone, and that some one is sympathetic to their issues. I am certain that a lot of anxiety and confusion has taken over the soul and spirits of many.

Please know that your support is getting many through some difficult times; especially those who have children and other loved ones to care for. I feel sorry for many who have very low paying jobs and no benefits; not to mention the too many who are losing their jobs.

Ola