Professional Head Shot                                               
 
 
The Hope Digest
 
 
  
                                          
Tracey J Schreiber, MS CACI CC
counselor, coach, consultant, mentor
April 2013
In This Issue
Reminder!
Something to Think About
Breaking Myths
Time to Celebrate
Coming Soon!
Relationships
Universal Truth
Guest Article - Janelle
Tools You Can Use!
 _____________
  

Memorializing

A Loved One

 

Moment of silence - sit quietly to remember them or a special time on the anniversary of their passing.

Donating in their name - time, money, objects.

Scrap Booking - especially important for younger kids so they can get to know their legacy.

Volunteer to their cause - just being close to something close to them is nice.

Create a garden - use favorite plants or colors, add a memory stone or chime. 

Wear jewelry - enjoy the heirloom.

Carry something - could be a note, picture, or 1/2 of a dollar bill.

 

Memorializing is personal.  Depending on how and what you do you may invite the opportunity to tell a story about your loved one, which is also special!

Reminder!
 
Check out more articles and topics on my Blog.
  
Recent "Journey with June" posts include: 'Personalizing 
Cancer', 'Getting Out of the House', and 'Wigs - The New You'.  My June blog is written from the caregiver perspective.
 
Recent topics posted include: 'Remembering My Father', 'Year of Firsts', 'Today Is Important', and 'What is Lyme?'.
  
Please pass this information on to friends and family or those who have been diagnosed with cancer or are caregivers.  I want to provide a place to share experiences and motivations.
Something to think about... 

 

I'm not dying, until...
 I do.
 
~ Valerie Harper
Breaking Myths!
 

He completes me...

 

Yes, a void may be filled but it is essentially still there and will rear it's ugly head again when he goes.   YOU must complete you to be the real YOU with anyone else.  Otherwise, you are just a version of another.

CelebrateTime to celebrate ~

 

April is National Humor  (esp 4/1!) and Stress Awareness month.  Notable dates:

Reconciliation Day - 2nd

Walk to Work Day - 5th

No Housework Day - 7th

Moment of Laughter - 14th

Tax Day - 15th

High Five Day - 18th

Take a Chance Day - 23rd

Administrative Professional Day - 24th

Honesty Day - 30th

 

May is National Date your Mate and Recommitment month.  It is also BBQ month - yum!

Notable dates:

May Day - 1st

Cinco de Mayo - 5th

Teachers Day - 6th

No Diet Day - 6th

No Socks Day - 8th

Mother's Day - 12th

Armed Forces Day - 18th

No Dirty Dishes Day - 18th

Lucky Penny Day - 23rd

Memorial Day - 27th

 

These are just a few for fun and information sharing!

Quick Links...  

 

720-879-8343  
720-420-9450          

Email      
Like me on Facebook
View my profile on LinkedIn       
Follow me on Twitter 
Coming Soon...
in a newsletter to you! 
 
Boundaries
Anger
Self-Esteem
Divorce
Friendships Communication
Holiday Survival Parenting
Blended Families Workplace Issues
Stress
Grief/Loss
Feelings
Chronic Illness
Distortions
Aging Parents
 
And much more!

 

Sign up to receive news and group information!

 

Don't forget to add me to your address book.

Hello! 

 

Happy April Fools Day - especially if you were looking for this newsletter in your inbox on Monday!   I got a little behind this month.   I will work hard to get it to you the first Monday of the month. 

 

I want to take a minute to thank you all so much for the out pouring of email, support, comments, and kind words triggered by last months "I Woke Up An Orphan".   WOW - I must have hit a nerve.  I received more emails about that one article than I generally do all month.  I feel encouraged to continue writing compelling articles that touch you.   Please keep the comments coming!   I tried to personally respond to each of them, I apologize if I missed one or two.

 

This month speaks to spring and indicates a shift in weather.  It can also be a time to shift in other areas.  Perhaps clean out the closet, plant flowers, do something new, try a new behavior, open the windows for inspiration.   I hope you find something to "shift". 

  

I received a few "Ask Tracey" questions.   Keep them coming, when I get enough to create an article or section I'll 'create something new!' 

 

Take care, Tracey

 

 
Relationships

Fix What is Broken

 

 

You probably know the saying, "If at first you don't succeed; try-try again." Well that doesn't really mean marriage!   It actually relates more to sports, broccoli or riding a bike.   When other people and children are involved, it is not an appropriate mantra to quote. Right?!

 

Upon the breakup of a long standing relationship, divorce, or if you've been fired - STOP - take a breath, and then look at what you could have done differently in that relationship.   This isn't about how the other person failed you, disappointed you, or wronged you; it is about you and your actions in that relationship.

 

Once you have taken that inventory, put new behaviors and actions in place. This may be as hard as doing your own assessment but it is the medicine you need to move on. Finding your own fault in that relationship is difficult.   Consider the cost of the loss... that is how important it is to find a remedy so the behavior is not repeated. If you lost the love of your life - that is a cost. If you lost your job - that is a cost. If you lost the mother/father of your children - that is a cost. With that is security, home, friends, family, and the list goes on.

 

I believe we all have something to learn and it is our duty to ourselves to keep stretching and growing to be better to those around us.   What do you need to learn from your last relationship? Boundaries? Commitment? Communication? Flexibility? Parenting skills? Self-esteem?

 

Remember, statistics show 50% of first marriages fail and 60% of second marriages fail. Doesn't that mean that both parties have work to do?!

 

                               Tracey J. Schreiber, MS CC

 

"Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety."


 Universal Truth
  
 Responsibility

 Def: accountable; able to distinguish between right and wrong, to think and act rationally; trustworthy and dependable.

  
Take responsibilty for your own choices, allow others to be responsible for theirs.  Trust yourself to make the right choice, act in the right way, and learn what you need to know.
Janelle's Corner...

OH!... THOSE BAD BOYS!

 

Ok girlfriends ... does it keep happening over and over again? So what are those red flags???

 

Is he...

 

-          controlling, critical, demanding, blaming 

-          checks up on you often or seeks to isolate you

-          makes you feel subordinate or ignorant

-          negative about people and life

-          treats service people disrespectfully

-          moody - explosive temper - "man-child"

-          not close to his family

-          aggressive in work and play

-          alcohol and / or drug use

-          poor grooming and dressing habits

 

So... how can you begin to discover those "bad boy" traits?

 

-          see if he expresses a full range of emotions, no just angry or happy. Observe if his emotions fit the situation or subject?

-          Watch him closely when he socializes with your family and friends. And, see how he talks about his family and friends.

-          Intentionally disagree with him to see how he handles potential conflict. Does he respect your point of view?

-          Do you spend most of your time taking care of his needs and trying to please him?

-          Lastly, trust your intuition and instincts!

 

 By Janelle Womack, MA LPC NCC

303-808-5492

 
Thank you for your interest in receiving solid information, tips, and tools for Relationships, Divorce Recovery, Remarriage and Step-Parenting; and special topics related to Chronic Illness and Grief & Loss.
  
The Hope Digest aims to provide guidance and support to help you maneuver through the inevitable struggles that will appear in your life from time to time.
  
Everyone can use a champion who has their back!  Please consider me YOUR champion and relationship specialist.  Together we can partner, prepare, plan, and practice your next steps.  Whether you are thinking of dating, remarrying, becoming a step-parent, or you are a biological parent to a step child, you can be happy AND a good parent.    You can heal, break old relationship patterns, and trust in love again.
  
I invite your comments and questions!  Let me know what you need and how I can help.     
Sincerely,
 
Tracey