Recovery: Starting over

I begin teaching a series of BIKE LESSON classes tonight at a homeless shelter here in Phoenix called Homeward Bound. I'll spend the next five weeks introducing 10 women to my BIKE philosophy. They live temporarily in the shelter while they get their lives together. Some of them will be recovering from addictions. Some of them will have escaped an abusive partner. Most of them have young children. None of them can make it on their own just yet. They are all starting over.

Because I've "been there done that," I approached the organization, thinking I might have something to offer these women. The executive director agreed. So I volunteered to teach there last year. They sent 8 women to me, and five stuck it out. I really enjoyed working with them and felt I had a connection with them. I'm not sure what happened when I left. The shelter has scheduled a reunion day with the women from my first class in six weeks, after this new session ends. I'm looking forward to that. One of the women in that first year told me she wanted to do what I'm doing--that is, teach other women how to live a better life. And I saw that she actually was. I can't wait to see her and get a chance to catch up.

What I want to instill in their minds more than anything else boils down to one word: hope.

When you're starting over, starting fresh, if you don't have hope that things will get better, you're already behind.

In your worst moments, let's discuss today how you connected with that word. Where do you think "hope" comes from, and how can you manifest it in your own life? Do you agree with what I believe, that it's a spiritual thing?

Help others meet their goals

Lend a helping hand. Sometimes, that's all it takes to get your mind off your own troubles.

After all, there's no better way to distract yourself. And, truthfully, don't we all need a little distraction every once in a while?

Remember the days after the World Trade Center towers were destroyed, or the days after the Hurricane Katrina flooded the South, or even now, as fire bursts its flames through family homes in the hills of Santa Barbara? The victims of these kinds of devastation must have something to distract them from the reality, or they wouldn't survive. Losing family in a terrorist attack or flood, losing your home? These are not tragedies easily overcome. They take time. They take faith. They take love for mankind.

As I experienced first-hand after the death of my husband in 1989, I know our minds naturally shield us initially with its numbing powers. But eventually, that numbness clears, leaving us with choices to be made. It's a miracle to have help during this time of clean up. And even if you're one of the victims, it can be a healthy thing to focus on the needs of others, even while you're dealing with your own. When chaos occurs to a community, for instance, helping others who might appear to be worse off than you can be a natural transition.

It is during devastating moments like the examples above when we are warmed by the hearts of heroes. They always seem to appear exactly when needed. These are the folks who know the benefits behind the meaning of a helping hand.

Has there ever been a time when you reached out or needed someone to do this for you? How did you respond? Did you notice that by helping others, or by others helping you, life seemed less chaotic? Perhaps you felt a sense of hope.

Hope offers the miracle cure when progress seems unlikely. It can come from within or from without. In times of need, helping others meet their goals, especially if you're having trouble meeting your own, can put you both back on the path to success.

If you have a story to share about hope, help, or heroes, please post your comment here so the rest of us can know your joy.

Bummed about the economy?

I heard on the news this morning that nearly 600,000 people nationwide applied for Unemployment last week. That's just last week! It's higher than the number of people who applied during the whole month in November.

It really does sound like the economic situation is getting worse, just as economists have predicted. With these numbers, it's hard to imagine how bad it could actually get. It's even somewhat scary...even though there's no chance of me being laid off; I'm self-employed.

Still, we're all dealing with this on some level. My workload has suffered. My editors aren't calling me with assignments (no money, no budget), or if they are, they pushing back the dates because of low ad sales. I'm pretty sure you're probably feeling the effects of the economic situation as much or more than I am. So my question to you today is this: What kinds of things are you doing to work through the fear?

Here's a list of things I know help me overcome agitation, nervousness, and even fear. Given the specific situation you're dealing with, what would you add to this list?

-Pray (as often as you need or feel comfort in the process).
-Go to the gym and work out with weights, ride the elliptical, or take a fitness class.
-Eat healthy (and in smaller proportions).
-Spend time with family and friends (Schedule it in if necessary during this busy holiday season.).
-Focus on what's going right in your life.
-Write in a journal.
-Practice meditation.
-Have a glass of wine (just one).
-Soak in a bubble bath.
-Bathe the dog or wash the car; it takes your mind off of other things.
-Ride your bike.

During stressful times, it's important to take care of your personal needs. I know I skimp on these sometimes, but having a list in front of me reminds me to take care of me first. Then I can focus on the work I need to do.

Today, I choose to make the day less stressful. How about you?

All my best,
Jackie

A neighbor's wildflowers

Two years ago during the spring, I took these photos of my neighbor's garden. She plants wildflowers every year, and I love to go see what's growing in her backyard. It's always different; it's always beautiful. So I wanted to capture it on film.

These photos remind me to take time to pause and reflect.