From nothing, I became something. Mom, his mom.
I am not putting myself down using the word nothing. I am saying it felt like nothing compared to being mom. I am an attorney so yes; it took focus and tough skin to make it.
Being mom was not that. It was natural to give. Giving to him made me so happy. Well, not every day. Sometimes I wanted to bang doors and push delete. I don’t want to go back in time.
I have had a full development of myself as mom. I am ready for the party, the graduation, the milestone. I am not ready for missing him. I am not ready for this next stage of life.
It feels heavy. Aging. Distance. Time without. End of a purpose. I know I am not alone. I just wish all of you were in my town. It helps to be here with others.
I guess I will be here more often after my son leaves and I am here, at my computer, he not in his room, nor soccer, nor the kitchen, nor the car. He is on his way. I am here.
What will be my new way?
Thank you,
Claudine
Sitting in a circle with our women’s group, one of the things I suggested we do was to give each other a massage. “I know nothing about massage, one woman shared, except to get them for myself.”
Being a beginner is full of surprises, I replied.” Let your partner know what kind of touch you like, slow, deep, pauses, light, no talking, sip of water, blanket, music, eye mask, object to hold, etc. Ask for what you want and ask for what you need from each other.
Is this feeling relaxing for you? Do you need Kleenex, a stopping time, do you want to chat? Our group of women has practiced saying what they feel and need, so here is another fun way to connect and learn about themselves.
I could hear giggles and tears. I could hear, oops, sorry. I saw people connecting. I offered to step in if they needed me. I said to the group, ‘just raise your hand and I will come stand by you, be with you and guide if you need me. ‘We had never done this in our women’s group before.
They shared how present they felt because they were using their hands, moving, and they wanted to give “good”, as one woman said.
One woman shared about her, as she called it, floppy tummy. I didn’t care this time that someone saw it nor asked first, which I loved, is it ok if I gently massage here?” Ask before assuming was one of the tips before massaging someone.
Another woman shared that she honestly didn’t want to do this but decided not to listen to that voice. She was glad she silenced that part of her. Fear was speaking, is what she learned.
Bottom line, every woman learned something about themselves and discovered learning inspired them. Mistakes didn’t take away from being inspired. Feeling uncomfortable didn’t either.
Trying something new, is an inspired life, don’t you think?
Happy inspirations to you,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
Holidays, traditions, people around the table and those who are no longer here, reflect that change happens. How do you cope?
Over and over, what seems to help is to be with whatever you are thinking and feeling. In our groups we practice knowing when to say stop, enough spinning the story and when we need to keep speaking.
There is no right way or rule. There is the truth that telling our stories is healing. When you are getting exhausted from your story or bored, maybe that is a clue to turn in another direction. Ask those you honestly trust for feedback about what they think would help you.
Sitting in change is uncomfortable. It helps to be open to what might help you. You don’t have to know what the helper is. You can ask for help out loud or within yourself, “Please help me lift this sorrow. Please help me get through this challenge of saying goodbye by knowing I will be OK. Please guide me in ways that are best for my growth.”
You will find your words. It is the intention of asking for help and not the perfection of the words. A deeper level in asking is that you are connecting with yourself and learning more about who you are and who you aren’t today.
A woman shared with me that this year her daughter is leaving for college. They are so close. The holidays are around the corner and she feels caught in wanting to be in the mother role of making a beautiful holiday and another part of her wants to just weep.
She discovered she was putting too much focus on THIS IS THE LAST ONE rather than cooking and decorating in ways she loves and allowing herself to enjoy the chopping and mixing together in the kitchen. She was leaping ahead and might later regret she didn’t enjoy this time together.
Don’t we all do that at times? She is practicing holding both: Yes the rituals of the holidays may change next year AND we get to be together now.
You will be able to handle what changes arrive even if you don’t like them. You just forget that you have handled changes before. You will be more than OK in the unknown, not knowing what is going to happen.
Give yourself permission to simply be human…not super mom, dad, aunt, grandmother, uncle, etc. Be who you are. You are loved. Remind yourself that you have loved them well and they do know it.
Allow yourself to feel all that you and collapse, as well as stand tall, again. These repeats while in the unknown, collapse, and then stand again, over and over.
Rest when you can. Take in the holiday celebrations by looking at the beauty around you and the faces of those gathered.
If you are solo, do a ritual for yourself honoring this fresh SPRING from seeds you planted and can still plant. Appreciate yourself. Weep and celebrate the life you are today. Next holiday might not be the same.
I remember a teacher once said to me, “WE THINK SUFFERING IS A BAD THING. THAT WE ARE BAD IF WE ARE SUFFERING. SUFFERING IS PART OF LIFE AND HAS NO JUDGEMENT.”
May Spring Bloom for you in unexpected happy places,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
When my daughter went 3,000 miles away to college, I felt a spread of feelings. Happy for her, excited that I, her mother was a part of her journey up to this door and empty from a role I loved and knew was shifting.
I had a career, husband, friends, family, and lovely home. I tell you that because I wasn’t void of a good life. I was void of being with my daughter. The daily, ordinary days of parenting and challenging hours of differences came to a sudden stop.
No longer did I start my day attending to her needs and schedule. What I surprising held in my hand at 6:00 am, after I settled into my parenting shift, was a digital camera. If you had asked me if I were interested in owning a good camera or doing photography you would have clearly heard me say. NO thanks.
I always used a throw away camera to capture moments. I was the last in my group of friends to buy a digital. I wasn’t motivated to learn something new since my plate was full and clouded with techy fears. I went past that fear by building a website and that was techy enough for then.
Finally, the pressure from friends and strangers and stories changed my mind. I bought silver digital. Silver changed my mornings.
I couldn’t wait to touch the cold morning floor, grab SILVER, and see with it how my small veggie and flower garden were growing. Then I walked my neighborhood, taking photos and meeting other walkers, dogs, kids with back packs, and strangers asking, “What are you doing?” My response, “having fun”
Silver became a new best friend. She helped me see what I didn’t make time to stop for. She got me out the door on weekends to places I wouldn’t have seen nor people I probably wouldn’t have met.
Coming back and printing gave me instant gratification and that element of surprise. What did I see? What will I keep, toss, frame, or sell. Yes, I have sold photos. I became part of a new community of people with cameras .
I am not a professional photographer. I am a happy photographer. It is still SILVER and I with a lot more batteries and memory cards.
A camera changed my life. 100 cameras is changing lives. When people ask me, “Where can I volunteer or get involved somehow now that I have more free time, I suggest, 100 cameras. Check them out. Read their stories. See their happy people who didn’t know what a camera in hand would show them nor connect within them and their communities.
100 cameras empowers marginalized children to document their lives through photography and to create positive change in their own communities. 100% of the money from the children’s purchased prints is used to raise awareness and capital to meet physical needs and empower sustainable growth within their community.
http://www.100cameras.org
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
Who is minding the store when you are stuck? Is it the inner pusher, the critic, the perfectionist, the bully, the little one, or a combination? Well, you know what I mean.
In our support groups and private sessions, we shared what it is like being STUCK. Losses come up, dreams died and won’t get birthed, people disappointed, communities are gone – those are some of the deeper issues that emerge when you feel stuck. You are trying to make decisions and old memories cloud your step forward.
Doubt is normal. We all laughed about that reality and yet we don’t like it. Most want to have a plan and do it.
Fear of the unknown keeps tightening our throats. We don’t know where to begin. We can’t see choices. Choices we made didn’t work out. We have old parts that feed the doubt.
Weeping is a good thing. When you are sitting where you didn’t want to sit and no one is holding your hand, loneliness is sad. Even when you receive loving comfort, you are sad. Sad because you don’t have answers and fear they won’t appear for a long long time. You don’t want to suffer.
Truth is, suffering is a part of life. We just judge it too much, don’t you think? “Oh your problem is nothing compared to others, so stop being sad.” Who is that inner voice in your head or is it someone in your life that tells you that?
Daily practice: Make friends with the UNKNOWN. “Hello unknown, what do you want me to know today? You have more practice in not knowing than I do, so gently tell me something”
Sit where you are comfortable and ask that question. Listen and notice what you feel when you begin a relationship with the unknown part of you. Notice. It is helpful to ask that question three times a day. We think once is enough and research shows it is not. Research actually says to ask five times a day.
Getting to know more about being in the unknown when you are in a transition, can calm you, teach you, and guide you towards what you want and need.
Example of what might come up in these short chats with your unknown:
• You have worried before and that is just a jump start for you. Don’t kill the worrier. Just go past it.
• This is a new growing place for you. Growth is good.
• You don’t like feeling vulnerable because you think it is so big. Don’t make it big. Make it a line in your story of the day.
Begin a conversation with the UNKNOWN. See what you learn about you.
Take good care,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
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What to do when you have no Valentine THIS YEAR? We asked that question and here are some answers:
1. Treat yourself to something you wish someone would buy you.
2. Dance with the music loud.
3. Go to a group class that night.
4. Make a list of what YOU LOVE about YOURSELF.
5. Make cards and give them to your neighbors’ kids or local school.
6. Comfort food.
7. Weep and ask for help when you need it.
What have you done in the past when you were solo on Valentine’s Day? HIDE was the most common word. Just want it to pass because it is so unrealistic in the movies and commercials. Why don’t they talk about SOLO on Valentine’s Day?
You hear the phrase, LOVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE… what do you think of that? How do you make that happen? People shared that loving your life and being grateful never happens every day. People have happy and sad days. Just keep going.
Practice not comparing yourself to others, nor needing to answer WHY NOT ME? Reflecting on who you are and who you aren’t is helpful. Critical of self never heals a heart. Mystery is a part of everyone’s life.
Our GROUP decided on the 14th to EMAIL each other with any thought, quotation, photo, etc….just for the fun of it. ….. even a recipe or dream vacation on their list….Make it a creative day and a way to connect with each other.
Take good care,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
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February, and our women’s group decided to write, photograph, draw, cut out pictures from magazines, garden a day, bake, doodle, or any creative idea that would focus on love.
People call in tears that they want February 14 to be off the calendar when they are solo or in the emptiness of a quiet house. It isn’t easy to feel left out or wonder when is love coming my way?
The transition of loss of love is so so painful. You believed if you talked about your challenges that you could work something out to ignite the love again. You believed if you stayed open and didn’t desperately seek, you would be in love again.
Oh the list is long of disappointments and wonderments why some are in love and others feel invisible in the realm of being loved.
When answers aren’t clear and efforts are exhausting, what about a pause and loving what you like in a day of creativity?
I know, not exactly a complete filler for February 14 and yet who knows what you will learn about yourself when you FOCUS ON CREATIVITY that lifts your mood and gets you going in a day. Begin now on this first day of February and see what new ideas arrive for Valentine’s Day.
I loved it when a woman shared with me that she often visits romantic times in her life and things she did for her partner and he for her. She said that made her simply feel good to remember, rather than bad, that love isn’t sitting in her chair right now.
Another friend is not interested right now in partnering. She wants her own routine and doesn’t feel she can compromise for another person’s needs and wants.
A fun story is the woman who was in a dark time of life and love showed up. She shared she wasn’t at her best then, with money issues, losses of friends and lovers, and not sure about her career. She can’t figure out how it happened and is enjoying the love today. Her little fears pop up that it will disappear and she just ignores that voice.
What is fun about love for you? Is there something you enjoy creatively that is loving for you?
Begin something this weekend for you that feels loving…..
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
When Molly shared her story, I wept. The short of it is this. She was headed to her dream job that landed without years of struggle. She fell. Not outside but within herself. She felt, not good enough, for this newness. She said she wasn’t going. She didn’t.
She allowed me to share although that is not her name.
You might be surprised at her decision.
For HER, it was a positive choice. She had worked on unfolding her hidden vulnerabilities to herself and others. They emerged like a duck under water nibbling for food. Her courage to be vulnerable was the best job at this time that she could ever dream to receive. Her entire life she skimmed on tears and feelings. Not safe for her, then. Not enough true support. Not hungry to change.
There are big gifts in saying NO THANK YOU. There are life gems in beginning again with ACTION when you sound out the NO THANK YOU.
Her “not good enough” was about not being able to be with deeper feelings. Her new job would have taken an open window from her work and slammed it shut with doing and doing and being seduced by money. She could not do both at this time.
She is a five star worker bee. She is qualified. She is an asset to a team. Today she chooses team self by staying with the familiar job and continuing to explore more about who she is and isn’t when it comes to feelings and comfort for those feelings.
Her decision. Her trust of self and life. Her priorities of what matters to her now, not tomorrow.
What can’t you do?
Keep warm,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
I said goodbye last year to my son and daughter as they, twins, went across the country to college. I want to find something for me now.
I am a good worker and even would go back to college, though I would be of a different age.
What are people doing after the kids leave home?
I love to knit at night, cook, read, assistant for people as needed, and travel. I use to sail.
I am a good people person and full of energy although I am not into Zumba. I like ballet.
I want to have a list of choices and start something. What have people started where they can work for themselves?
I am single now. Dating sometimes, not often, because I don’t know where to meet people I am interested in.
Thank you for being here.
Elizabeth
She called in tears. I have to do everything solo. I am good at it and that doesn’t matter. I have a problem. I give and accomplish and get acknowledged. I feel lonely. The joy of doing the job well doesn’t fill the sorrow. She continued.
Friends call to support me and it is consistently with empathy. GO BEYOND EMPATHY. Do something that I don’t have to lead. Give something that you come up with. Lift me once in a while. She sobs now. Grieving is here.
Part of her story:
I have always been able to let others take over. Control and perfection aren’t my blocks. I am not a quitter. I have a cupboard of tools to feed my good and bad days. I get that I have added big smiles to people. I feel stuck in the snow of winter darkness.
I am sad that I don’t have a community of givers. I feel disappointed in people who act like they care and yet continue to exclude me even when I am somewhat confrontive about needing them to put some of their time with me on the table.
Oh, I am just having a tantrum today.
Who doesn’t have days when they feel nothing is going their way and loneliness feels so deeply painful. All that is real. Grieving the disappointments is needed. Weep and weep.
Share your unfiltered feelings and thoughts with someone you can trust. Take the time you need. What is so uncomfortable is feeling VULNERABLE. Hearing this part of you open. Feeling “needy.” Not being the wise, good person and now being the one who feels so sad and lost. Vulnerable for sure. The life you thought you would have isn’t visible.
IT IS A GIFT FOR YOU AND SOMEONE YOU SHARE WITH, to let yourself be just who you are in that day. It takes COURAGE and TRUST. Those words are often used, yet UNDERSTOOD when you act on them. NO ONE WANTS TO FEEL vulnerable nor sit in darkness. It hurts. It feels frightening that you are trapped in same-same.
What is TRUE is, IT DOESN”T last forever. You make new steps. You feel a lift after the underworld of grieving and loneliness. HOW? By feeling, expressing, and NOT judging yourself for who you are.
Yes, asking for help. Yes, finding something to nurture you, like being in the comfort of your bed and a movie. Yes, a warm shower. Journaling, walking, doodling, getting outside for something, etc.
YOU are so brave. YOU are so wise to be just who you are with vulnerability. Many people cannot go there. They haven’t built a bridge to their inner world. You have.
They haven’t gotten help to dive deeper beyond empathy. YOU HAVE. HONOR YOUR COURAGE. HONOR YOUR LIFE THAT MIXES ALL THE COLORS, expectedly and unexpectedly, attractive, and unattractive.
For me, in times of tears and doubts, I turn to nature, music, writing, TV, and a friend. I let myself FALL APART because I trust me. I am curious and I work at knowing more about who I am and who I am not. I rarely numb out or become unavailable to my feelings and thoughts. I sort what are unrealistic expectations and where I am allowing the critic to hammer me rather than stepping out of that room.
When people show you who they are over and over, do you think that is who they are? Do you stay too long at the fair? Do you spin rather than shift and look in another direction? What do you do and what don’t you do that might teach you more about you? Do you keep your foot on the pedal too long rather than turning off the key?
When you are in tears of sorrow and vulnerability, it is not a time to ask your deeper questions. WEEP WEEP……you will come up for fresh air. Dive deeper into yourself when calmness returns, don’t you think?
Begin to open to new parts of yourself that are waiting to meet you. Waiting to take your hand and sit beside you. Ask them to come find you. BE WITH ME. HELP ME NOW.
This is your precious life and you are loved, you are, truly, YOU are loved……
Take good care,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
Many share that line when they call for support as they are going through divorce, career shift, retiring, empty nest, illness, or finding new meaning. “I thought I was a grown up. I feel like an adolescent.” ” I had no idea I would stay in my stretch pants for days and flip the channels. I just weep at odd times, like when I am at the market. I need to find something meaningful to do, I am excited and still I feel so tired and worried.”
I am sure you could share what surprises you when you are going through losses or happy times that put you in an unknown territory.
Here are a few tips:
1. Change is an invitation to go within and get to know more about who you are and aren’t. A few minutes in the morning and evening, asking how you are feeling and what you need, keep you connected to you.
2. Dormant parts of you will emerge and other inner parts long to have a say in your life. Anger and wisdom are within, as well as, creativity and sensuality. Parts want to support you. Parts want to misguide you. You have a smorgasbord to get to know.
3. Practice not looking back too often nor ahead too often. Present moment is a gift. It will surprise you how it supports your past thoughts and your future anxieties. FEEL YOUR FEET ON THE FLOOR. LIGHT A CANDLE AND LOOK AT THE FLAME.
4. Stop yourself from being critical of you. I am sure you are doing the best you can for now. Change is so vulnerable.
5. ASK FOR SUPPORT. You would be there for someone. Find something to connect with, even if it is on the computer.
6. Put beauty inside your home. You decide what looks beautiful to you and give that to yourself.
7. Remind yourself this won’t last forever. Calmness will return. Trust takes practice.
I know this sounds different. “HAVE A CHAT WITH THE UNKNOWN” You could begin with, “I never like not knowing what to do or how to get out of feeling terrible. Do you have any suggestions for me?” Then listen, listen, listen. Do this three times a day. You are building a relationship with your inner world. Some call it meditation. Some call it time with self. Ask for inner help, as well as outer help. Try not to isolate. Think less and reach for help.
Take good care,
We are building a community where we can be met right where we are.
Let me know how I can help you or your community.
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
Featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Huffington Post, MariaShriver .com, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Lifetime Radio for Women, Chicago Tribune, Sirius, Associated Press, Miami Herald, and many more.
Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.
www.lifeintransition.org
www.emptynestsupport.com
– Private Telephone Consultations
– Speaking engagements
– Support groups
– Workshops
– Mentoring
– Facebook, Linked In, Twitter
I am so sad. Kids and family gone. I am solo again. He remarried.
The nights are long and days are full for me. I want to be strong. I need to find something fun and something that has purpose. I was a lawyer and left that career. Maybe I could teach and take dance classes.
I just want a team and support for all this back and forth changes I live. Does anyone else have this going on?
I want to travel but not alone. Have you traveled solo?
I have been through losses before so I know I will be ok eventually. I started a journal for 2013.
I am also drinking power drinks to start my day. Hope it makes me fearless.
So could you all share with me what you do with all these changes?
Thank you, Katie
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org