By Nedra Lucas, President/CEO Tiffany’s story is not new to many of you. However, as we enter Domestic Violence Awareness month, I thought that it was important to remind ourselves how critical it is to nurture the spirits and minds of our young women and adolescent youth. They need to know how beautiful, wondrous and worthy they truly are. Join me in revisiting “Tiffany’s Story”.
Tiffany does not feel isolated from her friends, but she feels trapped as though confined inside a solitary room. The door is locked, there is no one there to hear her cry, and no one speaks. Confusion swells inside her mind struggling desperately to release itself when she hears unfamiliar voices on the other side of the door. For a moment hope dawns, but each word is contradicted by the next. Tiffany’s life is like that. She is no longer a child, but not yet an adult. She is experiencing the struggle of an adolescent for identity. She is actually searching for her own voice with which she can make her own decisions. But in this day and time her search appears to be in vain. There is not father present to guide her. Her mother is in the home, perhaps struggling herself and at times absent emotionally from Tiffany. Tiffany remains locked in her room – she is coping – she thinks. You are the one who can help unlock the door for Tiffany. The Mission’s Inspiring Girls’ Hope – “Tea Time” program creates an environment in which encouraging dialogue can be shared with young women ages 13 to 17. The program reaches out to young females in an effort to reach them during the pivotal development stages wherein they transition to adulthood. The practice of an actual tea party is a westernized concept which began in Victorian England. Tea as a beverage has the capacity to refresh the mind and spirit, as it soothes the inner person. Inspiring Girls’ Hope is an opportunity for young females to take time out to …explore and discover and to learn from the significant older women in their family and the community. There is no reproach, no reprimand, no demand-just loving, and non-judgmental encouragement. The Inspiring Girls’ Hope “Tea Time” program provides a venue through which supportive “sister-friend” relationships are created. Please help us with this wondrous work by providing a tax deductible contribution to The Mission: Prevention Education Inspiring Girls Hope “Tea Time”. Even a small donation will help. Tiffany is waiting.
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By Guest Contributor: Cathy McClelland It seems that there are instances in life when the timing is so perfect that certain circumstances could not possibly occur by accident. A few weeks ago I had one of those instances. I recently encountered an entrepreneur that I had previously assisted, but had not seen in several years. We were both genuinely happy to see one another. To my surprise he stated, “I was just thinking of you today, and wondering how you handled the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur. I wanted to ask you what to do when there are so many challenges, and you want to give up.” I gave him a great big hug, told him that I had just completed a book on that very topic, and shared the following message with him. Afterwards, this gentleman who has been an entrepreneur for many years told me it was exactly what he needed to hear.
This is what I said to him - I want you to know how incredibly extraordinary, not ordinary, but extraordinary you really are. According to science, your body contains an estimated – not a thousand, not a million, not a billion – but 37 trillion cells. It’s incredible that our bodies contain an estimated 37 trillion cells that can totally renew themselves. That means without even thinking about it, our bodies are renewing and preparing us physically for the future. That is absolutely incredible, which means that you are both incredible and extraordinary. Just think about how extraordinary it is that you can cut or injure yourself and your body begins to immediately renew and heal itself. This says that you were lovingly created. Once you embrace that you are a living breathing universe, in a sense, you will understand that just as your body can be renewed; you have the potential to truly renew, change and elevate your life, including this world that we live in. We have the strength to overcome life’s challenges. We just need to be inspired to do so in an extraordinarily loving and compassionate way. Wishing you the best on your journey to the “Extraordinary”! |
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