ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO HAS REALLY "BEEN THERE"?

If so, please help by sharing your e xperience, wisdom and insight with others on this site or for consideration for possible future publication.  Be sure to check the "Stories" Section to read about other peoples journies.

Ask yourself these questions...

     - HAVE YOU OR A PERSON THAT YOU KNOW EXPERIENCED A DIFFICULT LIFE                      CHANGE OR TRANSITION?

      - ARE YOU ONLY TOO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH DIVORCE, ILLNESS, STRESS,                      DEPRESSION, LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, LONELINESS, ISOLATION OR  CORPORATE                DOWNSIZING?

      - HAS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW BACK THEN?

      - ARE YOU WINNING THE BATTLE?

      - IS THERE A MYTH OR MISCONCEPTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHATTER?

      - ARE YOU LEARNING TO HANDLE YOUR STRESS?

      - ARE YOU AN EMPOWERED PERSON?

THEN PLEASE HELP...I keep hearing that there aren't any heroes anymore.  I keep hearing that this generation is emotionally and spiritually bankrupt and that we don't have any role models to inspirte us and teach us about real life.  I don't believe or accept this - do you? 

I'm sure that there are many others who have faced the big issues in life and learned valuable insights on what it means to be a man or woman in the 90's and what that translates to in the millenium.

Several years ago I was at ground zero.  Everyone and everything that I believed in as suddenly gone.  My life existed in a void.  Suicide seemed attractive but not viable since I had a young son and was also caring for a sick relative.  My husband left suddenly and I found myself to be a "discarded woman".  I felt lost and alone.  I didn't know where to turn for help and information.  That was my reality then, but, thankfully I am no longer that woman.  I have learned from past mistakes and have moved on to a better life.

Today I am sounding the battle cry and enlisting the help of all those who have shared this and other devestating life experiences so that together we can help the individual who has yet to face his or her "ground zero" experience.

If you have a story or a suggestion that can help someone else feel less a victim and find the light of day a little easier - then please share.

I am currently compiling data for this website and also for a book that will help men and women feel less alone and less helpless when face with unexpected and/or unwanted life changes.

Although the numbers of divorced couples and single parents in North America are staggering, the feelings of isolaltion, failure, shame and rejection are still suffocating our collective well being and mental health.  The same can be said for anyone facing cancer (or any illness), grief, depression, alcoholism, abuse, misunderstanding, poverty, empty-nest syndrome, loss of identity and more...

If you have a story to share, advice to give statistics, quotations, resource materials/centers/information to recommend, help-lines, hot-lines, etc., etc., all are welcom.

It goes without saying that real names will not be used, so sign by the name that you wish to be used and although all material will be greatfully accepted and read - there is no guarantee or it being used.  Submission of material will automatically imply consent for use either in this or other related works.

I believe that together, people reaching out and helping people, we can make a difference.  Please accept the challenge and help me to make that difference for the person who will someday walking in our shoes.

Please Note:

This work is my mission of gratitude because I have learned that all external factors that we think define who we are - don't!  The truth of my life is that I am your sister - and you - are my family.  Be strong, be well and be proud to be the person you are meant to be!