Now What?

I've reached the end of the rope. I need some advice. Now what?

Where do YOU go when you can't stand where you're at any longer?

What do YOU read to get going - to keep going after that dream?

What do YOU do to get it together and get over yourself?

picture by emdot over at flickr.com

Stop The Silence

I'm asked to support a lot of causes. That's what happens when you participate in your community. Some causes are good ones. Other's don't really interest me. Today I was asked by Sarah Robinson to support the 12 for 12k Stop The Silence Cause. I said yes.

I know Sarah from my twitter friends. She was actually referred to me by Laura Roeder (@lkr). Sarah (@sarahrobinson) was looking for bloggers to support Stop the Silence, and Laura sent her info to me. I happily agreed to blog.

So let's talk about this. Stop the Silence is a charity that is doing difficult and heartbreaking work. They deal with the sexual abuse of children. In the U.S. one out of every 4 girls and one out of every seven boys are sexually abused by the age of 18. The mission of Stop the Silence is to expose and stop child sexual abuse and help survivors heal worldwide.

You would think it was a stranger abusing our children. Sadly, the majority of child sexual abuse are carried out by people in their lives they trust. Family, friends, teachers, preachers - you get the picture. The child often feels they've done something wrong to cause this trusted person to abuse them.

I am a survivor of child abuse. I'm one of those 1 in 4 young girls. It was a family member, he's now dead. I could not tell anyone, they would not have believed me. I suffered a lot of guilt. I still have trouble reading books about some child who has been abused - it's hard to write this post. But write it I must.

It's important that as adults we support our children. We teach them to be respectful, loving, honest, good children. And we MUST help those who have had their trust betrayed.

Stop the Silence works in seven basic categories:

) Support for direct services,

2) Advocacy,

3) Community Education and Outreach,

4) Training,

5) Policy development,

6) Research and evaluation,

7) Other direct measures (e.g., appropriately dealing with offenders).

12 for 12k supports one charity a month. February is Stop The Silence Month. The 12 for 12000 Challenge is a combination of of social media and fund raising that aims to change the lives of millions worldwide. Twitter is part of my social media community - and hopefully yours too.

You can find the link to donate (and we're only talking $10 here) at http://12for12k.org You can read more about Stop the Silence at http://www.stopcsa.org

Look around you -- one out of every four girls will be abused. You can help stop that.

Fountain of Life

 I went to a chiropractric physician today.  I met her at the HyVee.  She was at the HyVee yesterday with this machine.  It was a laptop with electrodes that measured the energy in your spinal column.  She tested my c3, c5 and c7 vertabrae - and found they were out of whack (which I happen to know is true).  I made an appointment at the Fountain of Life Chiropractic for today.

I also took my husband's boss - who had never been to a chiropractor but he had a 'bad shoulder from rugby' and wanted to go.  

My consultation was free, as promised yesterday.   Here's what I received for free:

a full spinal scan

a 1/2 hour appointment with the Doctor to check me out

15 minutes on the Hydromassage bed 

I met Dr. Frances Hollembaek yesterday, was so impressed with her that I made an appointment AND brought along a friend!  She did my spinal scal and conducted the 1/2 hour appointment.  Dr. Joe Knudson is the doctor that did an adjustment for me.  During my appointment, Dr. Fran found out I was only in town a couple of days.  My test results (and my physical pain) indicated I could definitely use an adjustment.  He spent about 15 minutes and prodded, pulled, turned, tapped, stretched and adjusted.  It felt like a little slice of heaven.  

The Fountain of Life Chiropractic is at 8335 N. Congrestt Ave in Kansas City, KS.  The number is 816-741-4711.  The website is www.fountainoflifechiro.com Visit the website and take the carpal tunnel test. 

Could Chiropractic Help You?  Here's what their website says: Your nervous system controls and regulates every cell of your body. When your nervous system doesn’t work right, you don’t work right. And when you don’t work right, you’re sick! Simple as that.

My husband's boss? He feels pretty fantastic too!  I asked him what he thought of the whole thing.  He said "well, he was pushing and rubbing and poking and it felt pretty good.  Then all of a sudden WHAM!  He popped my back.  I screamed and thought "can I feel my fingers?  Am I paralyzed?"  It was such a loud pop, I thought I was going to be hurt.  I wasn't - I actually feel pretty good!" 

Chris Brogan once told me that he travels a lot - and he looks for local things to do while he's in another town.  He'll google restaurants, coffee shops - and support the local economy.  Why not do a search for hydromassage bed next time you are out of town?  Or better yet - visit the local grocery store and see what's going in town! 

photo by brainblogger over a flickr.com

A Review: Homestead Suites

We are staying at Homestead Studio Suites at 9701 N. Shannon Avenue in Kansas City.  65 degrees in Kansas City today.  Rain predicted, the sun shined the whole way here from Des Moines.

I chose this hotel because we stayed at a Homestead Studio Suites near Chattanooga a couple of years ago and loved it.  

We were graciously met by the front desk clerk, who happens to be the Hotel Manager Pamela J. Newman.  She checked the four of us into three rooms.  Our room has a sofa bed, a queen size bed, a stove top, full size refrigerator, and a desk area!  It's also very clean, there's a light breeze coming through the window - and I'm happy.

It's amazing what a little warm weather, a nice room and a happy husband will do for you! 

Oh - and there's a bulletin board!  I can put up my ideas, projects and inspirational pictures.  The bedspread - light tan with dragonflys on it.  None of that 80's purple and red geo design.  The entrance door to the room is on an inside hall.  There is also wifi and an exercise room.  

Recommendation?  You betcha!  I'll be eating barbeque at Smokin Joes tomorrow -- stay tuned! 

Independent Book Stores

Our local independent book stores need your help.  Buy books from them.  There, that's simple.  

Where to find the independent book store closest to you: 

http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder 

Why buy from independent book stores?  They are your neighbors and your friends.  The money you spend with them, they spend in the community.  They hire people like you.  They pay taxes in your community.  They know what YOU want.  Did I mention they are your friends and neighbors? 

Like to shop online for books?  Me too!  I just go to www.ourfocusisyou.com - my local indie book store.  

Don't quite know what you want to read?  Browse www.indiebound.org and then CALL YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE! (see above for how to find one)