Discover Spiritual Growth & Personal Development 

Are you living life to it’s fullest potential?  We all have gifts and talents that have been bestowed upon us that make us all unique.  Sometimes our greatest passions help us to make the greatest careers!  Why you ASK? It is because we love to do what comes naturally to us.  Have you discovered your true vocation in life?  Do not sit around for things to happen … make them happen!  BELIEVE!  Do not wait for people to believe in you … believe in yourself! What is your purpose in life? Our very existence on this earth is a very special one.  Make it count!  What will you contribute to the world? What will you pass onto the next generation?  Many individuals accept the status quo.  But what happens if you challenge yourself to be the best person you can be. Sometimes the adversity that a person experiences is an opportunity to grow and learn in becoming the person you were meant to be.  Embrace the opportunity to discover who you are.  If you have been presented with a challenge, know that you will be strengthened by mastering it!  Have faith in you abilities and you will excel and achieve great things!  What have you been called to do? What is your destiny? Sow good seeds and you will reap great rewards!  Surround yourself with individuals that are supportive and encourage a positive attitude. It is our social responsibility to encourage one another’s dreams and aspirations. 

Our world is faced with many challenges.  The dynamics of what makes an individual unique is our diversity. We can learn a great deal from one another and work towards peace. All of us have been brought up with different values, culture, religion and upbringing.  Many times our views and different perspectives have led to conflict and world wars.  It is critical to search for the truth to help build a stronger sense of community, empathy, sensitivity and respect for one another. It is critical to find peace in a troubled world.  It is important to gain a fuller understanding of our responsibility and discover what contributions we can make to the world in which we live, our communities and to future generations to come.  This awareness and enlightenment is crucial for the sake of humanity.  What are we doing for our own spiritual and developmental growth?  In times of adversity, we sometimes learn the greatest lessons when we are tested by our trials and tribulations.  What is your personal mission?  Have you explored the depths of your abilities?

In the book No Tears Left To Cry by Shirley Hess and Ernest Berlin, Naomi finds herself exploring this same philosophy that requires her to take a step back to discover her purpose in life. She redefines herself as a person and works towards finding a meaning to all the madness which surrounds her.  No Tears Left To Cry, embraces one’s ability to reach the highest potential.  DARE TO DREAM AND ALWAYS

ASK! 

VISIT WEBSITE: http://bullystopnowshirleyhess.webstarts.com/ 

WHY DOES SHE NOT LEAVE? INSIGHT ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

What is Domestic Violence?

The statistics have made it very clear. The probability that you will come across someone that has been exposed to or experienced domestic violence and/or abuse is extremely high.  Domestic Violence does not discriminate against age, gender, race, religion or socioeconomic status.  It can happen to anyone and at any time.  So what is Domestic Violence?  It is a pattern of abusive strategies that are used by a perpetrator to inflict harm against another person by sustaining power and control over another. When someone exerts this type of behavior over you, your rights have been violated!  It is a crime to inflict this type of suffering over another person! Both women and men can be the victims and may be subjected to psychological/emotional, social, financial, physical and sexual abuse. Domestic violence has been around for ages and it is a national and global epidemic! 

Why does this person stay?

Due to modern technology in our modern age, this type of abuse and issues associated with it has been brought into the light and is no longer hidden.  Although, there are many services and educational and preventive programs available, many still remain in the dark.   Some victims remain in silence for various reasons, which may be difficult to understand. Why does the victim stay?  There are often times that the abuser does not allow the victim to leave due to imposing conditioned and manipulative tactics. The perpetrator may use ways of inflicting fear on the individual.  Some reasons may include:

• Safety of self and children
• Limited financial resources
• No support system
• Lack of skills to secure work
• Religious beliefs
• An abusive upbringing and not being aware of what is considered a healthy relationship
• Belief that the person may change their abusive behavior
• Shame and judgment placed upon the victim by others
• No knowledge of resources available  or where to get help
• Language barriers
• Fear of deportation and or loss of custody

What are the warning signs?  

Typically, there are warning signs that are visible and awareness is the key! These symptoms of abuse may start off small and escalate overtime. Unfortunately, it has been known that many who are abused will make several attempts to leave their abuser. Some may not be able to escape this abusive relationship.  In some cases the reality of returning to the abuser could lead to further abuse, injury or in some cases death! Various indicators include:

• Verbal/Emotional/Psychological- (name calling and humiliation)
• Injuries/Death- (Infliction of bruises that cannot be explained and depending on the severity may lead to death)
• Threats- (The perpetrator blames the victim for everything and may use a violent temper or exert physical force) 
• Controlling behavior/Jealousy (possessive on whereabouts, placing blame on the victim and stalking)
• Isolation- (removed from family and friends so no one is aware of what is really going on)
• Emotional Changes- (Changes in behavior)
• Excuses- (rationalizing the reasons to stay)

Next steps

The cycle is about the manipulator wanting to take power and control.  No one has control over you!  The secret to ending violence is that it begins with you!  When you decide you have enough, you can take control to regain your life and eliminate this destructive downward spiral.   It is important to ASK (awareness, skills and knowledge) ourselves what can be done to prevent this abusive cycle from claiming more lives.  Become knowledgeable to the warning signs: name calling, unexplained bruises, manipulation, jealousy, isolation, and controlling behavior.  So what happens if you find yourself walking on eggshells and in an abusive relationship?  Seek immediate help!  Look to the guidance of positive support systems and develop your skills in becoming resourceful. There are many supportive services that provide awareness, education and service programs. Develop a safety plan to leave the abusive relationship, explore the legal and financial steps to separate, and reach out to someone you trust.  If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Do not feel alone!  Do not be afraid to speak out because the abuser will not change. Domestic Violence is a crime and bullying is a violation against someone’s rights!

In the book, No Tears Left To Cry by Shirley Hess and Ernest Berlin, Naomi refuses to be manipulated and regains strength to pass on an empowering message of hope: Break the silence! Speak your voice and put an end to domestic violence!  You have been chosen to make a difference in someone’s life! Inspire and empower someone today! One person can make a difference!  Grow, transform and BELIEVE!

Website: http://bullystopnowshirleyhess.webstarts.com/ 

Unwanted Exposure - Pictures Gone Viral !!!

What's all this noise about? We have heard it all before on how pictures posted put on the internet can go viral. But what happens if your personal pictures end up in the wrong hands? Or worse... pictures that you  did not know about end up everywhere! Celebrities are faced with this dilemma all the time. Information posted on the internet means that sensitive and personal information can go viral and around the globe! Unfortunately, it can be very hard to delete or get rid of these images. Be mindful of what you post on the internet and be careful with whom you share information with!

In the book, No Tears Left To Cry by Shirley Hess and Ernest Berlin, this type of misfortune is discussed. It is shocking to learn that information can spread without knowledge or consent! This type of unwanted exposure can be traumatizing. This book brings out some of today's most controversial topics that we face in today's modern day. Speak up and let your voice be heard! No Tears Left To Cry is about empowering yourself and influencing others to do the same! Take a stand against injustice! Be aware of what is going on around you!

VISIT THE WEBSITE:

http://bullystopnowshirleyhess.webstarts.com/ 

DON'T BE A TARGET!!!

Have you observed how someone is completed ignored? Sometimes rumors are being spread, which cannot be supported by facts.  There are many forms of bullying and it is often jealousy, ignorance or hate that leads to bullying.  Are you being targeted?  Are you being treated differently than the rest? Look around you and see what’s going on. Are they making fun of you?  Are they observing your every move?  Have they singled you out? DON’T BE AFRAID!  Confront the bully with the goal to reverse the trend. 

In “NO TEARS LEFT TO CRY” by Shirley Hess and Ernest Berlin, Naomi is specifically targeted and is devastated when she learns of the truth.  She is hated, unwanted, and learns of the plans of what they want to do with her.  She is being intentionally bullied.  When the intention is to hurt and destroy someone’s life it is serious.  Naomi, the main character in the book has experienced it and passes her experiences on to us.  She gives us knowledge on what we should do if we find ourselves in a similar situation. 

VISIT THE WEBSITE:   

http://bullystopnowshirleyhess.webstarts.com/